Coffee is permitted on the Optavia 5 and 1 plan, but it’s important to follow the caffeine guidelines and restrictions. Optavia’s Optimal Weight 4 and 2 also allow coffee, as it has been shown to aid in weight loss.
A study with 606 participants found that caffeine intake may promote weight loss, BMI reduction, and body fat reduction.
The study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition resulted in an overall pooled Beta of 0.29, 0.23, and 0.36 for weight loss, BMI, and fat mass reduction, respectively. Interestingly, for every doubling in caffeine intake, there was a corresponding increase of 22%, 17%, and 28% in the mean reduction of weight, BMI, and fat mass.[1]
This raises the question about how much coffee can you drink while on the Optavia program, coffee hacks, what can you put in your coffee on Optavia, and Optavia coffee creamer options. In this article, we will evaluate how much coffee can you drink on Optavia shown in this diagram.
What is Optavia Coffee?
Optavia coffee refers to two of the seventy total Optavia fuelings that are derived from real coffee beans. These Fuelings are the Optavia Essential Frothy Cappuccino Drink and Essential Coffee Soft Serve.
- The Optavia Essential Frothy Cappuccino Drink is a creamy, frothy drink mix that provides a delicious coffee flavor. It can be enjoyed hot or cold and is a great way to start your day or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
- The Essential Coffee Soft Serve is a frozen dessert that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while still staying on track with your Optavia plan. It has a rich coffee flavor and a creamy texture that is sure to please.
Both options contain 30-35 mg of caffeine per serving and are allowed on all Optavia plans, including the 5 and 1 plan.
The Optavia coffee Fuelings serve as a meal replacement since they contain the same macronutrients as the other Fuelings.
Additionally, they are soy-free and gluten-free, making them a suitable option for people with dietary restrictions.
Each serving of Optavia coffee provides the following calories and macronutrients:
- 110 calories
- 11 grams of protein derived from whey protein concentrate
- 2.5 grams of fat
- 14 grams of carbohydrates
In addition to the Essential Frothy Cappuccino Drink and Essential Coffee Soft Serve, Optavia also offers other coffee-flavored Fuelings, such as the Optavia Caramel Macchiato Shake, which provides a delicious coffee flavor with the added sweetness of caramel.
Can you drink coffee on Optavia?
You can drink coffee on Optavia, however, there are some limitations as not all coffees are created equal.
If you’re a black coffee drinker, you can enjoy a cup without worry.
Here’s the photo of me drinking my usual Grande Americano at my local Starbucks in Coral Gabels.
Americano and espresso are my two favorite Optavia approved drinks. I rarely drink creamy lattes or frappuccinos from Starbucks.
One Grande Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino (16 fl oz) has 420 calories [2].
(No thanks. I think I will pass.)
You can find many Optavia-friendly Starbucks drinks that have 15 calories (or less) per serving.
The same goes for a regular coffee shop. Here’s the photo of my black Arabica coffee from Pasion del Cielo in Coral Gabels.
I don’t add any sugar or sweetener. Sure, one cup sets me back almost $3.00, but I decide to go out for a coffee, I prefer something fancy.
On the contrary, if you add creamer or sweeteners to your coffee, make sure to check the label for calories.
And while many Optavia approved coffee creamers have zero sugar, some do contain more than 40 calories per serving.
To help keep your calorie intake in check (while still enjoying a good cup of java), try adding low-calorie sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit.
What coffee can you have on Optavia?
Although coffee alone may not speed up your results, incorporating it into your Optavia diet can be beneficial.
Opt for coffee varieties that are low in calories and sugar, and high in beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants and caffeine.
The following are a few examples of coffee that are considered favorable for the Optavia 5 and 1 plan:
Black coffee
Although there is nothing special about black coffee in terms of weight loss (apart from the fact it’s a calorie-free beverage), it does contain caffeine.
According to the study published in the Obesity Research & Clinical Practice Journal, “caffeine intake was related to weight loss in women.”[3]
This happened because “caffeine increased thermogenesis (the process of heat production in organisms) and fat oxidation (the process of breaking down fat),” state the journal.
Cold brew coffee
A classic cold brew is another coffee option that is allowed on the Optavia program.
I think it’s a great choice for those who love their coffee, mainly because it’s low in calories.
What’s more, I also find it less acidic, compared to hot-brewed coffee. That means it’s easier to drink, without any sugar or creamer.
Green coffee
Green coffee is made from unroasted coffee beans and contains higher levels of chlorogenic acid.
The article published in the Phytomedicine Journal states that “green coffee extract (GCE) supplementation can help improve obesity indices, especially for people with a BMI higher than 25.”[4]
But before you make any decisions, please note that the amount of chlorogenic acid in supplements may not be equivalent to the amount found in a cup of green coffee.
How much coffee can you have on Optavia?
I usually start my day with a freshly brewed cup of americano or cafe lungo (no sugar) and another one, just before my workout.
That second cup sets the tone for a positive day and gives me the extra boost I need to power through my morning workout.
The third cup comes right after my wokrout.
That’s it. (I don’t drink coffee after 3 pm.)
According to Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases Journal, “Habitual intake of 3 to 4 cups of coffee appears to be safe and is associated with the most robust beneficial effects.”[5]
“On the contrary, high caffeine consumption is shown to cause anxiety, insomnia, headaches, tremulousness, and palpitations.”
Although the amount of coffee I drink on Optavia depends on my mood (and hunger), I found that 2-3 cups of cafe lungo per day is enough.
On my sluggish days, I switch from Cafe Lungo to double espresso, but I don’t drink more than 2-3 a day.
When can I drink coffee on Optavia?
The best time to drink coffee on the Optavia plan was in the morning and early afternoon.
This is when I had time for myself, I could slow down and savor the moment.
Although I like to take the time for myself, the second best option for a cup of coffee is during my meetings with clients, friends, or family members.
Nothing tastes better than a strong espresso surrounded by a good company of people.
How to enjoy coffee on Optavia without guilt?
For me, drinking coffee on Optavia (or any other weight loss plan) has become almost like a ritual.
Here are the tips that can help you enjoy your favorite cup of coffee on the Optimal 5&1 plan without worrying about calories.
1. Choose the best time
Here’s a photo of how I like to prepare my morning coffee.
On the left, you have double espresso with a shot of water. (This helps to balance the acidic flavor of espresso.)
On the right, you have small candy bites. My wife likes something sweet in the morning. As you can see, I ensure the way coffee is served also
I’m obsessed with details.
If I’m treating someone else to my coffee ritual or sipping solo, I always ensure the presentation is fancy.
I like fancy coffee and I like to make my 5-minute ritual a thing that it’s worth it and I’m looking forward to it.
2. Don’t rush and stay present
Back in the day, I used to drink coffee not for taste, but for caffeine necessity. I would drink all the coffee in one sip and not even appreciate the flavor, smell, and taste.
(Yeah, I was young and silly.)
Now, I realized that if I don’t have 5 minutes for myself to sit and properly enjoy something as simple as a cup of coffee, what’s the point of life?
If that’s how I start my morning routine, feeling stressed, rushed, and swamped, that’s the tone that usually follows me throughout my day.
On the contrary, if I don’t rush, relax and stay present in the moment (5-minute coffee ritual) the rest of my days seem to be more, uplifting.
(You know what I mean?)
3. Focus on the quality
For us, drinking coffee is about quality, not quantity.
Whether you’re enjoying my coffee alone or with friends, choose your beans carefully.
For the taste, I prefer Arabica beans. If I want more energy (and caffeine), I usually grind Robusta. I also like Italian coffee.
4. Get the right tools
You don’t have to spend a lot of money or go out for an expensive cup of coffee in order to drink your morning caffeine fix.
All you really need to create your at-home coffee experience is some great equipment, ingredients, and the willpower not to be distracted by other things.
I’m obsessed with my coffee machine DeLonghi. It’s got a special system for texturing milk, which I use as a creamer substitute. (For my soft-serve coffees, I use a Magic Bullet blender.)
I get a perfect cup of coffee at my fingertips and its automatic cleaning function makes it easy to wash. Finally, it requires very little maintenance. I’ve had it for over two years now, and I’ve only had to descale it once.
5. Be careful with caffeine
According to the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, there is some evidence that suggests caffeine has a positive effect on suppressing appetite.[6]
As much as I love strong espresso, I don’t drink too much coffee after 12 pm because I’m a little sensitive to caffeine. If I drink anything caffeinated past 3 pm, I struggle with sleep.
My wife can drink 1-2 cups at night and doesn’t have any problems falling asleep.
Caffeine can easily dehydrate the body, so ensure to sip water throughout the day.
Before I used to start my day with coffee. Now, I drink 500ml of chilled water before I brew my cup.
I also try to avoid drinking any diet soda and energy drinks after 3 pm. They all contain caffeine, which can keep me late at night.
What’s more, some of the Optavia fuelings do contain caffeine, so be mindful of which products you choose if you’re looking to limit your intake.
6. Use almond milk or coconut milk
I love to mix my coffee with almond milk instead of regular milk. For me, it doesn’t matter but my wife is lactose intolerant, so in our home, you won’t see any dairy milk.
Instead, we like to mix our Optavia shakes with coffee using almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, or other dairy-free products.
You can also try high-protein milk.
Here’s a photo of Muscle Milk that I bought for my wife in the local Walmart.
Muscle milk protein shake is similar to Optavia shakes, but has more proteins. I often use this one for my milk substitute.
It has no sugar, no preservatives, and it’s dairy-free and gluten-free. (The taste could be better.)
7. Add low calorie creamer
As much as you are allowed to drink coffee on Optavia, instead of adding too many sweeteners, or butter, use coffee creamer.
Although I don’t count calories from my coffee, I try to stay away from Nestle Coffee Mate or other coffee creamers based on vegetable oils.
Instead, I choose products that are based on almond milk (not so much soya milk) or coconut milk.
Coconut-based coffee creamer (Nutpods is my favorite) is thicker so you don’t need to use it a lot. It already has a slightly sweet taste, even when it’s unsweetened.
You don’t have to add extra sugar or honey. Plus, it makes the coffee more creamer and enjoyable.
Other Optavia coffee creamer options include Laird Superfood Creamer or Vital Proteins Collagen Coffee Creamer.
Both are sugar-free and available in many online stores.
How does coffee affect the weight loss on Optavia?
There is no definitive answer on how coffee affects weight loss results on Optavia. However, some studies suggest that caffeine can boost metabolism and increase fat burning, which may aid in weight loss.
One study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition compared people who were successful at maintaining weight loss with people in the general population. They found that the weight loss maintainers drank more coffee and other caffeinated beverages.[6]
Another study published in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice Journal looked at overweight and moderately obese people who were trying to maintain weight loss after following a very low-calorie diet.
Some of them took a green tea-caffeine mixture, while others took a placebo. The researchers found that people who normally drank a lot of caffeine lost more weight and fat mass than those who didn’t.
They also found that the green tea-caffeine mixture helped people who didn’t usually drink a lot of caffeine to lose weight.
So, the evidence suggests that coffee and caffeine might be helpful for weight loss, especially for people who already consume a lot of caffeine.
But it’s important to remember that coffee is not a magic weight loss solution. It’s just one piece of the puzzle, and it’s important to also eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
References
1 (Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition) Tabrizi R, Saneei P, Lankarani KB, et al. The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2688-2696. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1507996
2 (Starbucks website) https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/427/iced
3 (Obesity Research & Clinical Practice Journal) Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Lejeune MP, Kovacs EM. Body weight loss and weight maintenance in relation to habitual caffeine intake and green tea supplementation. Obes Res. 2005;13(7):1195-1204. doi:10.1038/oby.2005.142
4 (Phytomedicine Journal) Gorji Z, Varkaneh HK, Talaei S, et al. The effect of green-coffee extract supplementation on obesity: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [published correction appears in Phytomedicine. 2020 Mar;68:153199]. Phytomedicine. 2019;63:153018. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153018
5 (Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases Journal) O’Keefe JH, DiNicolantonio JJ, Lavie CJ. Coffee for Cardioprotection and Longevity. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2018;61(1):38-42. doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2018.02.002
6 (International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition) Schubert MM, Irwin C, Seay RF, Clarke HE, Allegro D, Desbrow B. Caffeine, coffee, and appetite control: a review. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2017;68(8):901-912. doi:10.1080/09637486.2017.1320537
