National Coffee Day: Coffee can help you lose weight, but watch the extras

by Gail Gedan Spencer, article is found at: http://image.examiner.com/x-660-Weight-Loss-Examiner~y2009m9d29-National-Coffee-Day-Coffee-can-help-you-lose-weight

Before you head to the gym today, celebrate National Coffee Day. It may help you with weight loss.

Researchers have found that caffeine works as a mild appetite suppressant and can increase your body's ability to burn calories. Many muscleheads drink coffee before and after they work out.

Just lay off the whipped cream and sprinkles. A Frappuccino is not a cup of coffee -- it's a milkshake.

And those flavored creamers? A minefield.

Unflavored soy creamer has around 15 calories per tablespoon -- no biggie. But gooey treats like International Delight have a scary 45 calories. And fat-free is not much better at 30 calories.

So let's do the math: 2 tablespoons is 90 calories; 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) is 180 calories. A quarter cup of Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby is only slightly less at 165 calories.

Yes, Ben and Jerry's ice cream is lower in calories. Would you consider putting a blob of Ben and Jerry's in your coffee every morning? That's what many people do with flavored creamers.