Caffeine

[Lizzi S]

That explains a lot!!

[Karolina]

What about cocoa powder? Should it be avoided? I like to whip some cream with it, just to add flavour, is that a cheat?

[Lizzi S]

It is a cheat as it is packed with caffeine so will raise insulin and all that whipped cream will be stored as fat!!!

[Jerrymouse]

As far as I understand it - caffeine will produce insulin like carbs so you shouldn't eat any fats for about 4 hours either side. I can't answer to any benefits due to the buzz but I have read on the forum that some people like their one cup of caffeine coffee a day which apparently can also help those who are constipated.

Im really struggling to understand the rules of this diet ... so I was having way too many decaff coffees so now only have two/three max, one with each meal but whats this about not eating within 4 hours of fat?? so I can only have coffee with a carb meal then?

thanks everyone

[Mat]

Hiya,

Have you read the Stop Counting Calories and Start Losing Weight book?

It goes into great detail about the rules of the diet .

[Jenrenn]

I didn't realise there were any rules concerning decaf. I have it all day long as it's all I drink really. I have it really strong to. I think it's the full caff that's a no no because as you said it raises the insulin.
The 4 hours rule is for fat and carb meals. Ie there should be 4 hours between a carb and any fat. If your drinking full caff coffee it makes sense to leave 3-4 hour before having a fat meal because of the insulin release that caffeine gives so you don't store fat but I don't think this apples to decaf.
Hope this makes sense

[Mat]

Coffee:

Strictly caffeine is a no no until phase 3

Decaf is fine in any phase (black in phase 1)

In phase 2 you can drink black decaf any time of day - if you do have milk though, be careful as the carbs can add up.

[Mamie]

I think the problem was the milk you were having in the decaf coffees , not the decaf coffee itself. If you are having black it's fine anytime.

[Jenrenn]

Sorry I meant to say black decaf all the way.

[justsara]

Yes, the rules are simple, as Mat puts them, but then the implications get complex.

Priscilla was, I think, talking about caffeinated coffee, not decaf. Then the suggestion is that if you have it, it's only with a carb meal, because of the insulin response.

The amount of decaf in a day is based on your personal tolerance, if you can have 10 a day and your health / weight are moving in the right direction, I'd not worry. If you have a problem, it's one of the things to look at.

Then milk in coffee is a whole different thing!

It gets easier, I promise. x