Everyday Systems

Hi. I'm new to the No S Diet. In fact sitting here feeling very hungry on my very first day but dinner is about half an hour away so having a cup of tea. Did wonder whether coffee with milk constitutes a "snack". I drink tea black, but usually coffee with milk. Can you help me? thanks! Robyn

Hello Robyn & welcome to NoS

I don't consider drinks 'snacks'. For example I always have a latte with skimmed milk in between lunch & dinner (one every day) in order to tide me over. Black tea or even tea with a splash of milk is also not a snack. That said, some drinks (e.g. smoothies) are quite thick & substantial so those are snacks. THe thing is, this rule is not an absolute, written somewhere with particular 'dos' and 'donts'. The beauty of NoS is that you gradually learn to make these judgments yourself & you learn not to play games with yourself. What I'm saying is, gradually if its a snack you'll know it!

Even though drinks can be caloric, they're generally not considered a snack. Milk, 100% real juice, tea, coffee.. they're all okay.

For me, a smoothie IS substantial enough to be a meal, but I drew that arbitrary line because I DO often have smoothies for breakfast if I am in a hurry. In general, however, I'm only going to have a caloric drink if I'm really hungry (as in, I was an idiot and I'm having a blood sugar drop. This is rare) and don't want to break the meal habit.

This is a very individual thing. I personally try to drink between meals coffee black, but there's nothing against putting something in it.

Drinks between meals are okay, and I agree with NoelFigart about which kinds to have. Coffee and tea are fine; I'd watch if they are all sugared up into very desserty sounding and tasting concoctions. I'd stay away from sodas and milkshakes mostly. : )

I don't consider most drinks to be snacks, within reason. I drink tea or coffee every afternoon. I add cream to the coffee, or milk and honey to the tea. I WOULD consider a latte a snack myself; it's got lots of milk, and a few hundred calories. Every now and again, if I didn't eat enough lunch, I will have a glass of whole milk in the afternoon if I feel weak or dizzy.

RJLupin wrote:I don't consider most drinks to be snacks, within reason. I drink tea or coffee every afternoon. I add cream to the coffee, or milk and honey to the tea. I WOULD consider a latte a snack myself; it's got lots of milk, and a few hundred calories. Every now and again, if I didn't eat enough lunch, I will have a glass of whole milk in the afternoon if I feel weak or dizzy.

I don't think lattes are so high in calories, especially if they're "just" coffee and milk. A cup of whole milk is about 150 calories While not calorie free, they're not "a few hundred calories". They would most likely be less than a glass of whatever kind of milk you'd use/drink.

I agree that a latte with just coffee and milk is a very satisfying afternoon pick-me-up..just don't add whipped cream or lots of sugar...or a couple of shots of whiskey! When I am at home, I make a cup of strong coffee and heat a cup of skim milk in the microwave. I whip the warm milk with a little whisk until it is very frothy and slowly pour that over the coffee that I've poured into a large mug. I top it all with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy a few minutes of "me" time... good for the tummy and good for the soul!

Hi again. Hey thanks for your replies! What a nice bunch of people.
Have settled on a diet coke prior to dinner which seems to be doing the trick tonight.

I make latte like the Italians -- at home, no foam. Oh, I don't use espresso, just strong coffee. For me, it's more coffee than milk and a little sugar.

I don't understand this....I drink coffee black. Can't stand sugar in it. Add milk/cream to it, and I've got to have some sugar in it.