Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages around the world and many people start their day off with a morning cup of joe. Many of us aren’t quite the same without it! Coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants and has been proven to have many benefits related to mood, brain function, and even cognitive performance. So, when is it safe to reintroduce that beloved drink into your routine? It is recommended not to drink coffee for at least one to two months after bariatric surgery.

The biggest problem with beverages like coffee is the caffeine content. Caffeine is a natural diuretic, which means it causes you to lose water. After surgery patients must work at drinking enough water throughout the day, drinking caffeine would simply make that worse. Dehydration is a serious risk for patients. Ultimately, the best liquid you should drink throughout the day is water, because this will ensure you stay hydrated and healthy without adding extra fluids to your stomach.

Caffeine can also lower nutrient absorption especially calcium and iron. After surgery it is very important to consume good nutrition along with taking vitamins, caffeine can disrupt obtaining these benefits. Due to the acidity in coffee, regurgitation, reflux, and indigestion can occur for some people. The acidity can also irritate the lining of your stomach pouch or sleeve. Let your stomach heal and your body adjust before trying that cup of coffee. Once you can start drinking coffee again it may look and taste a little different than what you were used to. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your morning java it just means you need to be mindful of what you are adding to your cup. Try adding a protein shake for added protein, sugar-free syrups for flavor, and/or low-fat milk or Fairlife milk for creaminess. You can once again enjoy that morning cup of deliciousness while also staying on track!

Be sure to watch our video our Dietitians made on this topic: