Introduction
Arguably, one of the most popular beverages in the world is coffee – or any caffeinated drinks for that matter. But for those on a keto diet, it is important to be aware of how best to drink coffee in order to remain in ketosis and lose weight. There are many opinions on the subject, but the idea of drinking coffee on keto boils down to understanding what a keto diet is, as well as the overall benefits of drinking coffee. This article aims to explore the pros and cons of drinking coffee while following a keto diet, as well as exploring some tips to make the most of your caffeine fix while remaining in a state of ketosis.
What is a keto diet?
Keto is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, where the body is forced to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates – a process known as ketosis. This limits foods such as grains, processed sugar and starches, while emphasizing high-fat foods like avocados, nuts, eggs and healthy oils. To reach ketosis and burn fat, it is important to eat a certain amount of carbs, or macros, along with the correct proportions of fat and protein. This can be a difficult dietary change to make, as it requires careful planning and food management.
The Pros of Coffee on Keto
Firstly, coffee can increase your metabolism and help you burn more fat. The natural stimulants in coffee help increase your body’s metabolism and can therefore help you reach ketosis faster. Furthermore, coffee is a great source of antioxidants, which can help improve cognitive function, reduce inflammation and even help boost your immune system. Lastly, coffee can also help provide better energy levels which can support a keto diet.
The Cons of Coffee on Keto
Although coffee can have its benefits for people on a keto diet, it’s also important to be aware of the cons. For example, some people on a keto diet may find that drinking coffee causes increases their appetite, which can lead to overeating and difficulty in weight loss. Additionally, too much caffeine can lead to restlessness and irritability, which could ultimately end up sabotaging your efforts on a keto diet.
Tips for Drinking Coffee on Keto
If you’re following a keto diet and would like to enjoy some cups of java, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Limit consumption. Consume no more than two to three cups of coffee a day.
2. Skip all the add-ins. Avoid adding processed sugar, heavy cream and other high-carb additions to your coffee.
3. Choose healthier alternatives. Choose healthier alternatives to your coffee such as almond milk, coconut milk or oat milk.
4. Use natural sweetener. To make your coffee sweeter, try adding some honey, stevia or monk fruit.
Coffee and Weight Loss
There has been a lot of debate about the relationship between coffee and weight loss. Studies show that consuming coffee alone will not make you lose weight quickly. However, coffee can be used as one tool that can help people to lose weight. As already mentioned, by increasing the metabolism, coffee can be used as a way to help keep your metabolism up so that it stays in the ‘fat-burning’ mode and help to burn off excess fat as quickly as possible.
Coffee and Ketones
According to research, it is also suggested that coffee can affect your ketone levels. A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology showed that drinking coffee can increase the ketone levels and help to accelerate ketosis. This means that coffee can be a great way to help increase your ketone levels, and therefore reach and maintain ketosis.
Coffee and Cravings
Coffee can also help to reduce cravings which is great for those starting out on a keto diet and anyone trying to lose weight. Coffee is a natural appetite suppressant and can help with hunger cravings. As coffee helps to boost your energy levels, it can also be a great way to reduce snacking between meals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are following a keto diet, then coffee can be a great way to reach and maintain ketosis. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with drinking coffee while on a keto diet. The key to consuming coffee while on a keto diet is to understand the proper proportions, limits and alternatives of coffee. Drinking coffee in moderation and making sure to skip the sugary add-ins can make all the difference in your diet.
