Beware The Coffee Creamer Pipeline

[Kukubari 16]

I am about 1 1/2 years post op and I have an issue. I lost 100 pounds, going from 305 to 205 in 7 months and then..... I started coffee again. Sugar sugar sugar. That crack like Creamer, International Delight. I totally regret it because since that 100 pound loss, I've been going between 205 and 212, with no more weight loss and I have about 4 cups of coffee a day. Doing the math, that's 560 calories, 80g sugar, 80g cards a day.

I have a problem and I am only just now realizing the extent of it. I'm at the point where I want to stop cold turkey today. The reason I drink so much coffee is due to self medicating for my ADHD. I didn't realize that's what I was doing until recently. I started real medication for my ADHD and it helps with it a lot, but I'm still addicted to caffeine as a byproduct.

Additionally let me say this right now because I wish someone told me when I was first post-op:

Sweetened coffee creamer, whether artificial or real, will increase your desire for sweets and risk your post-op health.

Sorry for the scary text formatting, but this is important and I feel it needs to be said.

---------------

Moving on, I now need to find a way to navigate this addiction and remove it from my life. Do any of you have experience with quitting coffee, especially cold turkey? I tell myself I like coffee not for the caffeine, but for the ritual and because warm beverages are comforting to my anxiety riddled brain. Coffee is my safe place, but I need to find a healthier replacement. What are some good bariatric friendly, creamy, hot beverages?

Edited September 6, 2022 by Kukubari

[kcuster83 1,504]

Drinking that much you will likely go through withdraws, I would wean yourself off if it. Maybe 3 cups a day for a week and then 2 cups for a few days and then 1 cup and then switch to Decaf? You still have the creamer issue though, try flavored coffee and use milk or almond milk?

I don't really drink coffee so I am just throwing my opinion out there without any real experience.

Good luck!

[GreenTealael 25,152]

I used to drink coffee with “creamer” many years ago then I switch to real cream (heavy cream or half & half).
After surgery I switched the cream for Protein Shakes added to the coffee. It was amazing and I highly recommend it. It helped me feel better about the amount of coffee I was drinking because I was also getting Protein.< br /> I did quit cold turkey a few years ago but because I still got caffeine from the tea I drank I never had withdrawal symptoms. There are a few alternatives out there (mushroom coffee, chicory coffee) to try but they usually don’t have caffeine.

Edited September 6, 2022 by GreenTealael

[I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ 804]

Pre weight loss surgery I drank the International Delight Creamers, and went through a phase of using half and half. Then when I began my weight loss surgery journey 9 years ago, I swapped out those types of creamers for cashew milk and always sugar free sweeteners like Stevia. To me it was creamier than almond milk. Now that I'm 7 weeks post op revision, I've switched yet again. Now I make 4 oz of strong coffee with a full reusable Keurig pod and add it to a Fairlife Protein Shake. I make them both hot and iced. Then I add complimenting sugar free coffee syrups to that if I want. I can't recommend these syrups enough! https://www.skinnymixes.com/ (I also add these to Greek yogurt, SF tea, SF lemonade, and I've read that some people add them to oatmeal, but I've not tried that, I don't eat oats very often)

I'm sure you could switch to half caffeine and half Decaf for a while if you want to slowly eliminate the caffeine from your diet. If you truly enjoy the benefits from a warm beverage, maybe eventually you can go straight decaf and use a Protein shake so that a warm cup of coffee is beneficial to your diet and you ensure you reach your daily protein goals. That's what I do. I have two cups a day one in the morning and one in the afternoon, so that's 60 grams of easy protein a day for me.

Best wishes!

[SpartanMaker 742]

I drink Decaf and use some of a Premier Protein caramel drink as the "creamer". It works for me, get's me a bit more Protein in my diet and avoids the sugar.

[Queen ApisM 427]

This is why I have not started back on coffee. It's crazy sounding, but it is better for me to plan on special coffee treats from Starbucks (lower calorie options) 1-2x a week than to let myself fall down the coffee rabbit hole. I hate skim milk in drip coffee, which means I want to use other items that are very calorie dense. At least if I plan the coffees, I can track them and program them into my week.

The Protein Shake option is my back up, for when I decide I want a drip coffee with the husband.

[Summermoose 193]

Hi fellow ADHDer! 😊 I personally would not stop caffeine if it works for you, even if meds work. We need ALL the tools we can get, maybe not all the time, but I would definitely not limit myself like that. I personally need caffeine every single day, but I try to approach it like I would exercise or medication. I need it at a certain time to get stuff done and it doesn’t need to be yummy, I know it is serving me, my body and my mind. 😊
To keep it ‘reasonable’ I drink filter coffee without any type of milk or creamer. Before I always had coffee with creamer and loads of sugar, and quite frankly hated black coffee, but I make it strong and gulp it down just to get the caffeine I need. I’ve gotten kind of used to it now. I have started treating myself to a flat white twice a week, and I look forward to it every time 😊

[liveaboard15 1,293]

i am almost 5 months post op and i have been drinking coffee since month 1 without issue. I brew my coffee, I use sugar free creamer. My fav is the sugar free Italian sweet cream and for sugar i use Truvia 1 packet. i have 1-2 coffees every night. (I work during the night) I do miss full sugar Creamers tho.

[Kukubari 16]

6 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

I used to drink coffee with “creamer” many years ago then I switch to real cream (heavy cream or half & half).
After surgery I switched the cream for Protein Shakes added to the coffee. It was amazing and I highly recommend it.

Is there a specific Protein Shake you would recommend I use for coffee?

[ShoppGirl 4,443]

Try premiere Protein caffe latte. You of course can’t have four of them because it would be too many calories and protein but I have one every morning for Breakfast and they are great and have about the same caffeine as a cup of coffee. You can also get caffeinated crystal light??

[oldandtired 238]

8 hours ago, I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ said:

Pre weight loss surgery I drank the International Delight Creamers, and went through a phase of using half and half. Then when I began my weight loss surgery journey 9 years ago, I swapped out those types of Creamers for cashew milk and always sugar free sweeteners like Stevia. To me it was creamier than almond milk. Now that I'm 7 weeks post op revision, I've switched yet again. Now I make 4 oz of strong coffee with a full reusable Keurig pod and add it to a Fairlife Protein Shake. I make them both hot and iced. Then I add complimenting sugar free coffee syrups to that if I want. I can't recommend these syrups enough! https://www.skinnymixes.com/ (I also add these to Greek yogurt, SF tea, SF lemonade, and I've read that some people add them to oatmeal, but I've not tried that, I don't eat oats very often)

I'm sure you could switch to half caffeine and half Decaf for a while if you want to slowly eliminate the caffeine from your diet. If you truly enjoy the benefits from a warm beverage, maybe eventually you can go straight Decaf and use a Protein shake so that a warm cup of coffee is beneficial to your diet and you ensure you reach your daily Protein goals. That's what I do. I have two cups a day one in the morning and one in the afternoon, so that's 60 grams of easy protein a day for me.

Best wishes!

As regards to the sugar free syrups, they are amazing--and you can find them in the oddest places. I went to the Christmas Tree store, and found some wonderful ones...

[I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ 804]

53 minutes ago, oldandtired said:

As regards to the sugar free syrups, they are amazing--and you can find them in the oddest places. I went to the Christmas Tree store, and found some wonderful ones...

Yes! I find them at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods and I found some summer flavors half price at Home Centric last week.

Edited September 6, 2022 by I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡

[GreenTealael 25,152]

4 hours ago, Kukubari said:

Is there a specific Protein Shake you would recommend I use for coffee?

I’ve used all types of the ready made shakes that have the consistency of creamer/cream (Premier, lean shakes, fairlife, etc.) Go with the flavors and consistency you like the most.

[Starwarsandcupcakes 1,965]

3 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

I’ve used all types of the ready made shakes that have the consistency of creamer/cream (Premier, lean shakes, fairlife, etc.) Go with the flavors and consistency you like the most.

I second this! Ones I’ve found work great are Premier Protein, equate (Walmart brand), muscle milk zero (NOT the regular ones!), Atkins brand, and Quest.
I find the plant based ones in coffee tend to be kind of gritty and some other brands (I’m looking at you regular muscle milk!) actually clump when poured in hot coffee.

[Starwarsandcupcakes 1,965]

Also, hi fellow ADHDer! I drink an insane amount of coffee/caffeine daily, although, I’ve cut down recently because it was making me sleepy instead of helping me focus.
Also, which kind of cup are we taking? The right or left because the left is actually about 2.5 standard cups of coffee. I drink one (or 2 if I’m working) of those a day about half filled with coffee and then the rest is a Protein Shake.