Coffee addiction

Jacqueline · Guest

Some people claim to only drink 2 or 3 cups of coffee per day but actually consume two or three times that much, depending on the size of their coffee mug and whether it was instant or brewed or not. (Every extra ounce counts, especially if you're hyper sensitive to even small amounts of caffeine.)

I've also noticed that some coffee shops have different sizes for what they term small,medium' and 'large', so there is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to portion size (and ditto with price). A 'small' coffee at one store, may actually be 10 oz. or more and a 'medium' may be above 16 oz. (which is over 2 cups worth). It also depends on whether they fill it to the brim (to save room for the milk or cream) or whether you're having it black and filled to the top.

According to health Canada, instant coffee has 135 mg. per 8 oz. and brewed has 179 mg. per 8 oz. The maximum should be no more than 400-450 mg. per day. If you exceed that amount, then you're flushing out many important vitamins and nutrients from your system (including calcium and B vitamins)--so be sure to supplement with a healthy diet, vitamins and plenty of weight bearing exercise, to protect your bones from osteoporosis.

If you're having trouble sleeping, calculate how much caffeine you're ingesting during the day (not only through coffee, but also through tea, colas, chocolate and even some medications, such as 222's and cough remedies).

Coffee not only works as a natural diuretic but also an appetite stimulant, so if you're trying to lose weight, cut back on anything with caffeine in it (ie. diet colas, coffee, tea). Otherwise, you will have a constant sensation of hunger, which may lead to binge eating.

As for caffeine substitutes and decaff, I personally cannot stand the taste (decaff also has a lot of extra chemicals that regular coffee doesn't). I'd rather have a smaller portion of the real thing, than a larger portion of a cheap subsitute that tastes like *&%$@#$.

I used to drink from a 16 oz. mug but have cut back by switching to an 8 oz. cup (of instant coffee) and don't exceed more than 3 (8 ounce) cups per day. I also rarely drink brewed coffee anymore, except as a rare treat. If I do, then I will try not to exceed more than 2 cups--since I don't want to exceed the 400-450 mg. limit.

I seem to be sleeping better just by switching to a smaller cup (similar to eating off a smaller plate, to limit portion size). It's a way of 'have your cup and eat it too' excuse the pun.

I guess the point of this post is to say that you may be drinking more coffee than you realize, as was the case with me.

Decaf drinker · Guest

Hey Jacqueline and everyone else out there!

Don't give up on decaf so fast. There are several different companies that make their decaf blends through a water-press procedure instead of with chemicals.

Just read the labels!

Personally I drink 2 mugs of decaf a day and have had no troubles sleeping since I switched from regular coffee.

"Good to the last drop"

Saaaaaatan · Guest

Bah humbug! I find that ALL coffee (whether regular or decaf or instant or brewed) keeps me up at night, makes me extra jitery and exacerbates dry skin and eczema. Even small amounts of it found in chocolate, 222's and advil do the same.

Having said that, IF I must drink it (and I must), I'd rather have the REAL THING instead of decaf with chemicals. Even if there are some water pressed blends of brewed decaf with fewer or no chemicals, the fact is that decaf does not taste as good as regular coffee.

In other words, if it's going to keep me up at night anyway, then I might as well enjoy the real thing and not fool myself with an imposter that doesn't even taste as good.

Nothing is as good as the original.

Decaf Drinker · Guest

Coffee exacerbates excema and dry skin?

Are you sure, Saaaatan?

Has anyone else heard this?

Am I the last (dry-skinned) person to know?

coffeemaniac · Guest

Yes, that's true. You can read more right here [url]http://www.coffee-bible.com[/url]

Seraphima · Guest

I used to get eczema when i would drink coffee for 3 weeks or more. Coffee also makes the skin look very pale with time. I stopped drinking it 2 years ago and feel great.