Coffee drinks = healthy?

[Kitty]

I get non-fat latte's a couple times a week. I like them because I don't normally drink milk and they provide a lot of calcium..

I don't know though, everytime I drink one I can't help feeling like it just isn't very healthy.

So, all you people dieting out there - what are your thoughts on coffee drinks?

[wordsmith]

I don't worry about coffee in terms of caloric intake, because I don't drink it sweetened, and if I put real dairy in it at all, it's nothing more than a splash. I wouldn't especially count on coffee, then, for my dairy nutrition, either, then, though.

I don't worry too much in general about coffee's negative health effects, to be honest, even though I know caffiene's not the healthiest thing in the world.

[pisces2473]

I would also try to get calcium in other ways besides the coffee drinks...can't caffeine block calcium absorbtion or something?

Viactiv chews are good. Almonds also provide a lot of calcium :)

[Kitty]

hmm..that's what I was thinking. That the calcium somehow gets blocked by the caffiene. I dunno if thats true or not.

[Tayl405]

Cheese and yogurt too, for calcium.

I was wondering that too though, about non-fat lattes. I got one yesterday (for the first time!) and was curious as to how bad it is for me. Usually I just drink an 8 oz. cup of black coffee in the morning to wake me up.

[Kitty]

Taylor -

You can look up the nutrition info on the Starbucks webpage. If you don't add sugar I think they typically have about 120 to 250 calories. You're basically just drinking a glass of milk with a shot of espresso in it.

[wordsmith]

Because I'm the anemia queen, I know for a fact that caffiene hinders iron absorption, but I don't know about calcium or vitamin D.

[pisces2473]

Check out my new calcium thread ;)

[pisces2473]

Oh, here's something about calcium/caffeine...it does make sense, given that caffeine is a diuretic and can dehydrate you...

http://www.nutrition.com.sg/atd/atdcaffeine.asp

Question
Does drinking coffee at the same time as taking a calcium supplement hinder the absorption of calcium? What are the guidelines/restrictions in taking calcium supplements with coffee?
Answer
It is well established that intake of caffeine causes calcium to be excreted. For every cup of coffee (equivalent to 150 mg of caffeine), approximately 5 mg of calcium is excreted in the urine. The research on the effects of caffeine on calcium absorption, however, is less conclusive at this time. When that is the case, we tend to err on the side of safety and advise avoiding the use of caffeine with calcium supplements. You may drink coffee at least half hour before or after you have taken your supplement. Don't forget that caffeine is also found in many foods other than coffee such as cola drinks, tea, chocolate, and some cold medication.

Question
What effect does caffeine consumption have on the absorption of vitamins and minerals?
Answer
Caffeine can increase the amount of calcium lost in the urine & feces. You can make up for the calcium lost by adding milk to your coffee or tea. Don't forget that caffeine can also be found in cola drinks, chocolate, cocoa, and some cold & pain relief medication. Caffeine may reduce the absorption of some minerals, such as manganese, zinc, & copper, as well as vitamins such as vitamin A & B complex.

[shimmer728]

There is nothing I love more than a tall iced mocha from Starbucks. I doubt it's very healthy, though. :(

[istartedyoung]

mmm me too... iced mochas are my favorite.. theyre not as good with skim milk though... Ive talked to a nutritionist about the fat and calories of lattes and stuff like that cause I too am an addict. As long as youre using skim milk coffee drinks are not unhealthy fat and calorie wise... what adds more calories is syrups like chocolate or caramel. in books/magazines I have read a non fat latte should be counted as one of 2 mid day snacks and u should be all set

[Bugsey34]

I am a caramel macchiato girl, hot in the winter, iced in the summer... unfortunately now that I am on a low-sugar diet I guess that's out for now :cry: