Coffee has become a major staple in the modern age. Every morning, millions of people brew up a cup of java and enjoy the benefits of increased energy and alertness from the coffee, caffeine and antioxidants. As medical science learns more about the health effects of coffee, it is becoming clear that there are both potential gains and risks associated with drinking coffee.
Most health experts agree that moderate coffee consumption in a healthy lifestyle can provide some benefits, but it’s important to keep things in balance with other healthful behaviors. Coffee is assimilated differently in the body and on the mind than other substances, so it can have powerful implications for one’s weight-management regime and overall health.
Noom is a weight-loss program that encourages its users to adopt healthier habits, take control of their eating habits and learn how to make better choices when it comes to food and beverage consumption. The primary focus of the program is to teach individuals how to make life-long changes when it comes to their diet and lifestyle. Therefore, it makes sense that the program would have a different stance on coffee consumption than a traditional diet.
Noom advocates a stance that looks to a moderate and measured approach: Coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle. As long as you don’t overdo it, coffee can provide benefits such as an energy boost and cognitive alertness. It may help to suppress some hunger pangs, which may benefit people looking to lose weight. Caffeine, of course, has its downsides too, as it can lead to anxiety and disruption of sleep among some individuals. It’s recommended that coffee is consumed in moderation: no more than two or three cups per day.
It’s important to note that the type of coffee you drink may also have an effect. Caffeine has been linked to heart health issues, such as hypertension. Therefore, it’s adviseable to select coffee that is low in acidity, such as those with the Montano label and “drinking green” (raw beans) coffee. Additionally, adding heavy-fat ingredients and sugar substitutes can contribute to unnecessary empty calories and health issues, so it’s important to pay attention to what you add to your coffee.
Noom users also have to consider the timing when it comes to drinking coffee when on the program. Drinking coffee in the morning to increase alertness is one thing, but drinking coffee late at night can be detrimental to sleep cycles. The program advocates for a healthy and balanced lifestyle and any measures taken to disrupt sleep are not recommended.
Overall, Noom looks to help its users understand how to manage their diet and lifestyle better, and approaches coffee consumption as an important part of that. Choosing the right kind of coffee, drinking in moderation and drinking at the right time of day are all part of the program. If an individual can master the moderate approach to coffee, the potential health and lifestyle benefits can be significant.
Meal Planning
Part of Noom’s program is to help users understand the value of meal planning. One of the best ways to ensure that coffee is used as part of a weight-loss plan is by planning ahead. There are several different strategies that can be used to plan ahead and make sure that coffee is consumed at the correct time of day and in the right amounts. Some of these strategies include making sure that coffee only features in the morning and no later in the day, and also that the coffee is consumed with balanced meals or snacks throughout the day to minimize the potential for consuming too much caffeine.
For instance, it may be best to consume a balanced breakfast before having a cup of coffee, as consuming coffee on an empty stomach may increase the likelihood of drinking more than is necessary. Additionally, it may be beneficial to create a schedule that allows for breaks in the day in which coffee can be consumed. Creating a regular pattern of having coffee can help to ensure that it is consumed in moderation, as opposed to impulsively drinking large amounts at different times.
Meal planning may also provide a strategy for controlling how much coffee is consumed overall. If a person plans for only two or three cups of coffee per day, then it’s easier to keep track of how much is consumed and make sure that the intake remains nominal. Additionally, it’s important to consider other habits that may impact caffeine consumption. For instance, some foods such as chocolate contain caffeine, so if one plans to consume these foods then the total amount of caffeine intake needs to be taken into account.
Exercise
Exercise is an important part of any weight-loss plan, however it becomes even more important when moderating coffee consumption is taken into account. Exercise helps to speed up the metabolism and can help to counteract the effects of consuming large amounts of caffeine. Studies have shown that vigorous exercise can help to burn off caffeine more quickly, which is why it can be beneficial to pair coffee and exercise activities together.
Noom advocates for a balanced approach to exercise and encourages users to engage in activities such as yoga and light cardio. These activities may help to further the benefits that can be derived from drinking coffee, and can allow the user to benefit more from the alertness and energy that accompanies coffee consumption. Regular exercise might also help to minimize the potential risks associated with drinking coffee, such as a disruption of sleep patterns or anxiety.
Additionally, exercise can also help to increase the feeling of fullness, which can help control cravings and reduce the need for snacking, which may in turn reduce the amount of coffee beans necessary for sustaining basic levels of alertness. Noom encourages planning for activities that can be integrated into daily routines, such as going for a walk on a regular basis or taking yoga classes. These activities can help to further overall health and a balanced lifestyle.
Caffeine Sensitivity
One factor that should be taken into account when considering coffee consumption is individual sensitivity to caffeine. As mentioned earlier, coffee can have detrimental effects on sleep in individuals that are sensitive to the substance, so it important to understand how caffeine affects each individual. This can be done by tracking behaviour patterns when consuming coffee and monitoring how the body responds to it.
Individuals that are particularly sensitive to caffeine may need to take extra measures when it comes to moderating their intake. For instance, drinking decaf or reducing the amount of coffee taken can be beneficial for those that are sensitive to the effects of caffeine. Additionally, it may be beneficial for individuals to try different types of coffee and measure the effects, as some types may affect the body differently than others.
Finally, understanding how one’s body responds to caffeine is the key. If one is feeling increased anxiety or if sleep patterns are disrupted, then it may be necessary to decrease the amount of coffee consumed. With that said, for individuals who are not overly sensitive to caffeine and wish to derive the potential health and lifestyle benefits of moderate coffee consumption, Noom’s program provides a very useful tool.
Coffee Alternatives
Although many individuals rely on coffee as their go-to source of energy, there are some non-caffeinated alternatives that can be beneficial. For instance, herbal teas can provide an energy boost, with some teas even containing beneficial antioxidants and vitamins. Many herbal teas also have different beneficial effects such as calming and relaxation, so they are a much better alternative than coffee if one is seeking a more balanced lifestyle.
Additionally, energy-boosting drinks that contain natural ingredients such as ginger and matcha can provide a healthier alternative to coffee and can help to reduce the potential levels of caffeine intake. Green juices and smoothies can also provide a healthy boost, and are much better than sugary and heavily caffeinated drinks. Noom’s program encourages its users to experiment with different options in order to find a healthy balance, and coffee can be balanced with some of these alternatives.
Mindful Consumption
Noom’s program encourages its users to become more mindful of their consumption habits when it comes to coffee. Becoming mindful of how coffee is prepared, what type one chooses and when it is consumed can help an individual to optimize their intake and ensure that they are deriving the most benefit from coffee. Additionally, it may helpful to explore different brewing methods and ingredient combinations. For instance, some people may be sensitive to the acidity in coffee and may need to choose coffees which are lower in acidity.
Being mindful of coffee consumption also includes understanding how coffee’s effects on the body. If a person notices increased anxiety, sleeplessness or other symptoms, then it’s important to take measures, such as reducing the amount of coffee taken or switching to an alternative. Similarly, if an individual perceives that they are deriving more benefit from coffee than they initially expected, then they may wish to adjust their intake upward to optimize the health and lifestyle benefits.
Overall, coffee can be part of a healthy diet, as long as it is consumed in moderation and with consideration for individual sensitivity. Noom’s program looks to help its users become more mindful of their consumption habits and adjust their consumption accordingly. With some mindful use of coffee, an individual can benefit from the increased energy, alertness and potential weight-loss benefits that coffee can provide.
