Everyday Systems

Can I drink coffee, soft drinks, milkshakes etc on n days? Do they count as meals or not?

Also, sometimes I have smoothies for breakfast, so now I am confusing myself a bit with drawing a line as to what is and isn't a meal..

Please help

Thankyou:)

Hi Alicerabbit,

I think a drink is considered a sweet if the calories are mainly from sugar. So a Coke is clearly a sweet, and I would guess a milk shake is as well. I don't think some sugar in a coffee is considered a problem, since the absolute number of calories is so small. Focus on the big stuff.

One contested drink here on the forum is hot chocolate - some consider it a sweet, others don't.

So basically you need to decide for yourself what you consider a sweet, and then try to stick to your own guidelines.

With the exception of smoothies, none of the drinks you mention are considered meals. Soft drinks and milk shakes would be considered sweets and therefor appropriate for S days only.

Water, unsweetened juices, milk, coffee, and tea can be consumed at any time, including between meals and are not considered a snack.

Think of a drink as something you can make without a blender, something that is basically water-based. A blender is basically "chewing" solid food for you. Thus a smoothie is a perfectly acceptable meal, but not a beverage per se. If you couldn't drink it a hundred years ago, it probably isn't a beverage.

I personally regard juices as off limits because I prefer the whole fruit. But I am in the hot chocolate or mocha is okay crowd and have been for nearly 3 years with acceptable results. I don't drink soda often but do opt for the artificial sweeteners in them when I do, dang my soul. I'd rather chew my sugar.

I use Swiss Miss No Sugar hot chocolate. It's 70 calories, I drop a teaspoon of decaf instant coffee in it and I have a mocha. I'm not a big hot chocolate lover. I guess that's my version of adding Coke to rum. I "indulge" in this 2-3 times a month so I don't sweat it.

Liquid calories are a real "killer." I thought I could sneak through with a Coke a day, not a good idea. I have also noticed, for me, that liquid calories make me hungrier later in the day. So, even things like a Slim-fast shake for breakfast, or even a "heavier" protein shake doesn't work. That's me though.

If you are in doubt, just try to not drink it.

I guess I try not to drink calories. I'd much rather eat them. The only time I do is if I'm trying to make it to my next meal and then it's like coffee with a little cream and sugar, or maybe small glass of milk. I try to keep it under 100 calories. For me liquid calories is a kiss of failure for weightloss, it's too easy to have too much.