Many people believe their daily mug of coffee or other caffeinated drink helps them to lose weight or keep weight off. However, the diuretic effect of caffeine is what appears to create weight loss, and this causes loss of water, not fat. Reputable practitioners, like the Mayo Clinic, debunk the myth of caffeine for weight loss and discourage its use as a weight loss aid.

Caffeine intake often perpetuates many of the factors contributing to weight gain and continued obesity. Coffee and caffeine intake aggravates stress, including physical, mental, and emotional stress, leading to increased levels of the glucocorticoids including cortisol. A well documented relationship exists between chronically elevated levels of these stress hormones and deposition of excess fat in the abdomen leading to obesity as well as increased caloric intake, particularly increased ingestion of fats and sugars.

The following characteristics of coffee have an adverse effect on weight loss:

Coffee Elevates Stress Hormones

• Caffeine in coffee elevates the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine. These hormones are responsible for increased heart rate and blood pressure, and a sense of "emergency alert". Circulation of oxygen to the brain and extremities is decreased and the immune system is suppressed.
• The purpose of this "fight or flight" response is to provide the body with a temporary energy boost for intense physical activity. With today’s sedentary lifestyle, the continual state of increased stress resulting from caffeine consumption can negatively affect weight control through disruptions in normal metabolism.

Increased Cortisol Levels Lead to Abdominal Obesity

• Chronically elevated blood cortisol levels that are caused by frequent stress or regular caffeine or coffee intake lead to an increased buildup of fat in the abdominal area; this type of weight gain further stimulates the release of additional stress hormones.

Increased Stress Leads to Overeating

• This chronic state of increased stress caused by caffeine is associated with a markedly increased tendency to overeat. CNS stimulants stimulate anxiety and caffeine consumption increases the tendency of people to overeat or binge-eat and abuse laxatives and diet pills.
• Coffee drinking increases physiological measurements of stress, and although this effect is greater with increased caffeine levels.
• Elevation of stress hormones leads to fat cravings.
• Elevated levels of cortisol increase appetite.

Caffeine Stimulates Appetite

• Although caffeine is included as an ingredient in many weight-loss aids, it actually stimulates appetite, and organizations including the Mayo Clinic discourage the use of caffeine as a weight-loss aid. Initially, caffeine may decrease appetite through its central nervous system response. However, subsequently caffeine increases cortisol levels, and higher levels of cortisol stimulate appetite.
• Caffeine triggers hypoglycemia through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal glands, causing an immediate and sustained constriction of blood vessels, decreased circulation to the brain and a heightened feeling of low blood sugar. The body’s reaction to hypoglycemia results in food cravings and increased appetite. People often crave higher fat foods resulting in increased caloric intake, further interfering with the body’s ability to maintain a healthy weight.

Source: Meri Rafetto, RD, Theresa Grumet, RD, and Gerri French, RD, MS, CDE

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With the fast pace of society more and more people are searching for fast and easy ways to get in a meal, but can a beverage really replace a meal?

Meal replacement beverages are popping up on grocery and convenience store shelves all across the country. They market their ease, taste and ability to "replace a meal" but a closer looks shows you might not be getting the nutrition you think.

The average meal replacement beverage is between 170 and 280 calories and between seven and 20 grams of protein. A typical meal would provide closer to 500 calories and around 20 - 30 grams of protein. These low calorie levels may be enticing for weight loss but the problem is they may not give you the satisfaction a meal can. Eating satisfaction comes from the taste, texture and feeling of fullness a meal provides - liquids often lack that "feeling of fullness", meaning you may end up eating more not less.

If you would like to get more out of your meal and stay satisfied longer, try adding a Thin&Healthy protein supplement to your meal instead of grabbing a meal replacement beverage. You'll be getting 15 grams of protein with less than 4 grams of fat and you won't have to give up all the tastes and textures of eating a real meal.

If you are on the Thin&Healthy plan you know you can have up to four supplements a day. Try having a chocolate pudding for dessert or a cappuccino with your breakfast. Add our chicken noodle soup to your lunch menu or have a wildberry passion cold drink with your dinner. You see, supplements don't take the place of your meal--they go along with it. You'll feel full, you won't be craving sweets and you'll help to increase your metabolism with the added protein. (Protein builds lean muscle and just the existence of lean muscle burns fat.)

There are tons of great supplement flavors to choose from! 

SUPPLEMENT PACKAGES AVAILABLE IN THE STORE!!

SUPPLEMENT FLAVORS AVAILABLE:

GELATIN   STRAWBERRY-BANANA, CHERRY  

HOT DRINKS   HOT CHOCOLATE,   CAPPUCCINO

PUDDING/SHAKES  CHOCOLATE,  VANILLA,  STRAWBERRY

COLD DRINKS  WILDBERRY PASSION, GRAPE,  LEMON,  GRAPEFRUIT,  PEACH MANGO, ORANGE 

SOUPS  CHICKEN BOULLION,  CREAMY CHICKEN, CREAMY MUSHROOM,  CREAMY TOMATO, CHICKEN NOODLE