Caffeine’s a calorie blaster – unless you eat this with it…

October 14, 2016 Ashley 0 Comments

“Exercise first thing in the morning – before your brain’s awake enough to argue with you.”

Ever heard that motivational quote?

Hey, if it works for you, that’s awesome.

As for me, though? Nada happens until a massive dose of matcha tea’s in my system. Then I can go for my run. Before that, I’m a Walking Dead extra. After that, I’m Mario-high-on-the-bouncing-star level. And, actually, plenty’ve experts can confirm this is a fabulous practice I’ve picked up. (Unlike my over-exercising habit.) Caffeine, they say, is an epic performance enhancing drug. So, when I read a year or two ago (and subsequently shared here) that caffeine can have a calorie blasting effect when taken like a pre-workout, I was pleased as punch. (And by punch, I mean my short double scoop green tea latte with soy milk.)

Because – whether it’s said frou-frou five dollar elixir or just a bag in a mug of tap water – caffeine helps you reach your weight loss goals if you drink it before your body movin’ sesh. How’s that? Well, what it does is up your metabolic rate and fat oxidation. When that happens, you also supercharge your energy spending (A.K.A. calorie burning). In that way, you can bore through your fat stores and massacre more calories. Especially when you have it in tea form, like I do. Because, what happens is that these things called catechins (which you find in tea) make more of the enzymes that metabolize lipids. Why’s that matter? ’cause those enzymes kickstart a cascade of fat breakdown. They tell fat to get off its lazy azz and serve a purpose. Or, more tactfully put: they turn your fat into the gas that fuels your workout.

“Weight loss never tasted – or felt – so good. Or expensive.”

But there’s a caffeine caveat here.

And it might surprise you.

Because as much as the gurus of all things gains advise you eat protein either before or after (or both) your workout, such isn’t the case if you’re a match gobbler like I am. Why? Because protein, they say, counteracts all those blubber battling effects your tea’s caffeine has in. That said, the claim’s namely against tea based caffeine (which is the only way I usually get my upper in a cup). But, interestingly enough, I can actually retrospectively vouch for this. See, I usually have some tempeh or tofu (both high in protein) mixed in with my breakfast each morning. I always figured it’s a good thing to get on board around exercise time. But the one morning I forgot to add it in, I did have a superior sprinting session. And why? Well, when you pair the two up, something called a “protein-polyphenol complex” forms. This’s bad because it means fewer metabolites (which we definitely want) get absorbed. Nix the protein, though, and all those helpful effects remain intact.

So, instead of having it with my breakfast, now I just have it after – as a snack.

Plus, if you get it in a delicious smoothie, it can even be your post workout reward.

So, there you go, my fellow morning tea fiends. If you take your wakefulness in the form of steeped leaves bobbing around in hot water like I do, enjoy that tea party prior to perspiring – and save your protein for post workout. That is, of course, unless you’re that rare morning unicorn who can hit the ground running minus the tea or protein… In which case, I say: Awesome. Great. Good for you.

As I issue a healthy dose of side eye (with sleep boogers still in it) and bitterly sip my matcha.