What about Caffeine and soda

[teacherica 0]

Can someone please tell me why it is bad to have anything with caffeine or anything that is carbonated?

I went to starbucks and dranks a Vivianno Protein Drink and added espresso to it. I feel guilty about adding the caffeine but it went down without any problems.

I don't drink soda or coffee, but I would like to know why it is bad for the band.

Thanks

Erica

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Caffeine isn't bad for the band. For some, caffeine is an appetite stimulant (for others, it's a suppressant, and it's been in OTC diet pills for years) If it doesn't stimulate your appetite, it's fine to have.

Carbonation doesn't hurt the band, but it can bother your pouch and stomach. It hurts me when I drink carbonated beverages. It's best to avoid carbonation, or to at least let it go flat first. We don't need the internal "expansion".

[Fluffy Jen 0]

As Restlessmonkey said caffine is not bad for the band. But the carbinated beverages could cause your pouch to stretch or your band to slip, which could cause you to have to have another surgery to replace or just remove your band. At my doctors office they said no carbinated beverages at all, not even flat ones. Hope this helps.

[dolphanatic22 0]

I asked my nutritionist this question as well. She said that caffeine can cause ulcers. I avoid it as much as possible, switching to Decaf coffee (which i used to think was silly) and very seldom having an iced tea.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I asked my nutritionist this question as well. She said that caffeine can cause ulcers. I avoid it as much as possible, switching to Decaf coffee (which i used to think was silly) and very seldom having an iced tea.

I just about NEVER go against a professional's advice...that's what we pay them for. They study a lot to get that degree. And I'm sure the Nutritionist told you that caffeine can cause ulcers. It probably can...but it is very very very rare. Most ulcers are caused either by a bacteria (H. pylorii) or by excess stomach acid over time. Caffeine CAN stimulate the stomach to produce more acid (so can lemonade, for that matter...or orange juice) but from what I've read, the evidence does not point to caffeine causing ulcers. Having said that, if it irritates your stomach, avoid it! You may be one of the people it DOES impact negatively. In fact, caffeine can actually be good for you and right now they are doing further studies because people who drink a lot of it...like 6-8 cups of coffee a day, are less likely to develop diabetes type II.

So don't go against your doc's advice...or at least, find out the reasoning and then see if it applies to you. I've been drinking unsweetened iced tea since I was about 4 (50 years now) and don't have an ulcer yet. My dad drank at least 2 pots of black coffee a day and never had a digestive issue...that's anecdotal of course and not scientific. My point is, within reason, do what works for you. Since my doc said to avoid caffeine because it is an appetite stimulant, and because it does not stimulate my appetite (one of the few things, apparently, that doesn't LOL) then I drink my unsweetened tea, and my 1 cup of coffee each day. HOWEVER! I make sure I get at least 64 oz of plain Water too.

Dolphanatic...I think decaf coffee MAY have more acid than the real stuff...? Check it out. I would hate to think of you having Decaf to avoid an ulcer and ending up with one because of the extra acid! Again..I'm not a pro here, just another consumer. You'll of course do what you know is right and I don't mean to be an enabler! :biggrin:

Here's a link to a study published in JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/246/3/248

Edited March 10, 2009 by RestlessMonkey

[teacherica 0]

Thanks for all the information. I feel better about having my espresso. I will definately stay away from carbonated drinks though.