Is the problem with coffee the caffeine (And thus needing more water) or the cream and other additions that could add carbs? I am loathe to completely give up coffee, but I do drink it black (generally Americanos with no cream or sugar). If I drink extra water, are a couple of cups a day going to be a problem?

There is no problem with coffee!! (hold on, gotta get another cup)

Some say that the caffeine can trigger cravings, cause stalls, etc. Some say coffee is a thermogenic. Some say coffee intake does not count towards your daily fluid intake. Some say it does.

well hey, that clears things up

I guess I'll stick with that habit a while longer at least!

Caffeine is a diuretic, so you have to drink MORE water when you consume it.

Also coffee has carbs in it -- not a lot, but enough that it's not "free."

Atkins disallows coffee because he found that it triggers an insulin response in some people. Thus it has the same bad effects (weight gain, energy fluctuations) as carbs.

But others since then have done research calling into question that finding.

If you do drink coffee, watch the carbs, drink MORE water, and, if you notice a stall or dips in your energy, try cutting it out.

*boo! hiss!*

Don't listen! Coffee is good! Stay with me on the dark side!

If IowaGirl managed to get so slim while slurping coffee, then that's good enough for me. (And when I think of all the agony I went through during withdrawal because Atkins said to kick it for induction . . . )

Actually I went to decaf for induction. On day 15 I was pounding on the door of the local coffeehouse, demanding the real thing. A girl can only take so much.

Oh... this is all so good to hear! I thought I was going to have to give up coffee. No coffee? Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!