# Why no caffeine on Atkins? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 4, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729 "2005-04-04T21:15:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/1 "2005-04-04T21:15:09Z")
Why should caffeine be avoided on the Atkins diet? ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/2 "2005-04-04T21:25:32Z")
It raises blood sugar, which causes release of insulin. Bad things, according to Dr. Atkins. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/3 "2005-04-04T21:29:54Z")
Any truth to the thing I heard - it makes you yearn for chocolate? Maybe not, but… No matter what I’m eating (even chocolate), I have an irresistible urge for chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/4 "2005-04-04T22:14:44Z")
> [@Cheez\_Whia](#): > > It raises blood sugar, which causes release of insulin. Bad things, according to Dr. Atkins. According to Atkins, excessive caffeine causes \*\*low \*\*blood sugar, which results in cravings, especially of sweets. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/5 "2005-04-05T00:03:34Z")
He also remarked in one of his books that caffeine contributes to “plateauing” [sp?] in weight loss, where you drop to a certain weight and then can’t drop further. YMMV. IANAD. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/6 "2005-04-05T00:11:30Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > According to Atkins, excessive caffeine causes \*\*low \*\*blood sugar, which results in cravings, especially of sweets. I drink a pot of French Roast every morning, and I don’t crave sweets. What I really crave is a mini-loaf of fresh sourdough bread with butter! > [@Jonathan Woodall](#): > > He also remarked in one of his books that caffeine contributes to “plateauing” [sp?] in weight loss, where you drop to a certain weight and then can’t drop further. Hm. Maybe I should cut out the French Roast. I have lot of tea (I’m making Stash green tea chai now), but most of it has caffeine. (I like Earl Grey, black.) ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/7 "2005-04-05T00:19:29Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I drink a pot of French Roast every morning, and I don’t crave sweets. What I really crave is a mini-loaf of fresh sourdough bread with butter! I think it’s not sweets in particular so much as processed carbohydrates in general, so your sourdough bread fits nicely in there. The South Beach Diet–different in that it allows more consumption of certain carbohydrates and does not allow non-lean meats–recommends limiting caffeine intake to a cup of coffee (or equivalent) a day for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/8 "2005-04-05T00:32:10Z")
> [@pasunejen](#): > > limiting caffeine intake to a cup of coffee (or equivalent) a day for the same reason. One cup? Good thing my coffee cup (also espresso cup) is 16 oz.! ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/9 "2005-04-05T01:39:45Z")
I’d heard that coffee raises your blood sugar, but a Google search turned up different opinions. [http://www.diabetes.ca/Section\_About/caffeine.asp](http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/caffeine.asp) > **[WebMD - Better information. Better health.](https://www.webmd.com)** > > The leading source for trustworthy and timely health and medical news and information. Providing credible health information, supportive community, and educational services by blending award-winning expertise in content, community services, expert... I’ve seen some research that says that decaf can lower your blood sugar. ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/10 "2005-04-05T01:42:19Z")
> [@pasunejen](#): > > I think it’s not sweets in particular so much as processed carbohydrates in general, so your sourdough bread fits nicely in there. The South Beach Diet–different in that it allows more consumption of certain carbohydrates and does not allow non-lean meats–recommends limiting caffeine intake to a cup of coffee (or equivalent) a day for the same reason. Sourdough bread actually has a good rating on glycemic index tables, so it’s a good choice for bread. Mmmmmm, fresh sourdough. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/11 "2005-04-05T01:59:04Z")
> [@pasunejen](#): > > I think it’s not sweets in particular so much as processed carbohydrates in general, so your sourdough bread fits nicely in there. The South Beach Diet–different in that it allows more consumption of certain carbohydrates and does not allow non-lean meats–recommends limiting caffeine intake to a cup of coffee (or equivalent) a day for the same reason. When you are in the weight-loss phase of Atkins, all carbohydrates – not just processed ones – are pretty strictly regimented. Most people get about 30-35 grams per day, majority coming from veggies, eggs, and certain fruits. So, unless he is “maintaining” his weight loss, and not actively losing, definitely no white bread, even if you made it yourself. **Johnny LA** have you checked out the website [atkins.com](http://atkins.com) for the answers to your questions? Unlike some diet plans I could mention coughSouthbeachcough you can read the full details of the plan online, for free. ---
**Author:** ![SandWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@SandWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandWriter)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/12 "2005-04-05T02:04:17Z")
> [@Cheez\_Whia](#): > > It raises blood sugar, which causes release of insulin. Bad things, according to Dr. Atkins. [http://atkins.com/helpatkins/newfaq/answers/WhyIsCaffeineUnacceptableInTheAtkinsNutritional.html](http://atkins.com/helpatkins/newfaq/answers/WhyIsCaffeineUnacceptableInTheAtkinsNutritional.html) And here’s the link… That’s the overt reason. I believe the covert reasons are that drinking coffee is a dietary habit that you may associate with other food. So if you stop the coffee, you stop the doughnuts that go with it. Another covert reason is that outside of coffee the other common way to get caffeine is through sodas. Sugar is bad, but Atkins also sees atrificial sweetners as equally as bad. So cut out the caffeine and you cut out the artificial sweetners and increase water consumption by default. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/13 "2005-04-05T02:11:13Z")
> [@Hello Again](#): > > **Johnny LA** have you checked out the website [atkins.com](http://atkins.com) for the answers to your questions? No, I’m just 'sort of doing it. I’ve been trying to limit myself to 20 grams of carbohydrates per day or less. Today I’ve had 12 grams, with about three hours before I hit the rack. > [@SandWriter](#): > > I believe the covert reasons are that drinking coffee is a dietary habit that you may associate with other food. So if you stop the coffee, you stop the doughnuts that go with it. I don’t eat with coffee, so there’s nothing to stop. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/14 "2005-04-05T03:08:43Z")
I’m on Perricone, and he put the kibosh on coffee because it can cause wrinkles …? Too lazy to go and get the book, but he does allow green tea and other teas, which do have caffeine. I’m sure there are more differences between coffee and tea than just that, though. ---
**Author:** ![SandWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@SandWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandWriter)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/15 "2005-04-05T03:47:14Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I don’t eat with coffee, so there’s nothing to stop. …and when I said “you” I meant “a person on the Atkins Diet,” not you personally. …and since you are ‘doing it on your own’ you (you personally) can make up any rulez you want. Since, I am making an assumption here, that your goal is to lose weight, perform an experiment. If you can drink coffee and lose weight, then keep drinking coffee. If, however, you have limited your carb intake to 20 grams/day and you are not seeing any weightloss, then try giving up the coffee. When I followed the Atkins Die-, er, Nutritional Approach, I drank coffee, and I lost weight. Maybe coffee isn’t a problem for you (you personally). Good Luck! p.s. Don’t forget to take your $4.00 packet of Atkin’s Nutritional Advantage pills a day. p.p.s. What, you’re still not losing weight? Well why don’t you try some more of our over priced, er, priced rite weightloss supplements. Don’t like the Atkin’s Brand? Then try some of our friend company foods that carry the Atkin’s Approved label…We’re not doing it for the money…We’re doing it for a SH\_TL\_AD of money!!! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/16 "2005-04-05T15:39:11Z")
I’m drinking green chai this morning. I feel hungry, which I’m not when I drink coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Limbo\_Donni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Limbo\_Donni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limbo_Donni)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/17 "2005-04-05T20:37:11Z")
The simple answer is that all diets have a few generic rules that are really hard to follow. So, since most people change weight a little every week, if you lose the diet gets the credit, but if you fail your habit gets the blame. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/18 "2005-04-06T01:58:18Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > IWhat I really crave is a mini-loaf of fresh sourdough bread with butter! As a recovering sugarholic, I was surprised to find that while on Atkins, I had no craving for sweets, but a strong craving for bread. Then it occurred to me that most of the food I was eating tasted best in a sandwich. And I could eat butter, but nothing to put it on. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/19 "2005-04-06T02:39:49Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > As a recovering sugarholic, I was surprised to find that while on Atkins, I had no craving for sweets, but a strong craving for bread. Then it occurred to me that most of the food I was eating tasted best in a sandwich. > > And I could eat butter, but nothing to put it on. No doubt. I feel like Brad Pitt in “Meet Joe Black” everytime I walk around the house with my spoonful of peanut butter. 😛 Keep up this South Beach thing long enough and maybe I’ll look like Brad Pitt as well 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729/20 "2005-04-06T12:06:07Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > As a recovering sugarholic, I was surprised to find that while on Atkins, I had no craving for sweets, but a strong craving for bread. Then it occurred to me that most of the food I was eating tasted best in a sandwich. > > And I could eat butter, but nothing to put it on. And eggs, but no toast to sop up the yolk. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-caffeine-on-atkins/297729.md?page=2)