Is Coffee Allowed on the Galveston Diet?

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Galveston Diet's core principles of intermittent fasting and anti-inflammatory eating are supported by science for their potential health benefits, including weight management. As followers consider this regimen, a common question arises: can you still enjoy your morning cup of coffee?

Quick Summary

This article explores how coffee fits into the Galveston Diet, detailing how to consume it during fasting periods and what additives to avoid. It addresses concerns about caffeine's impact on inflammation and hormones, offering a practical guide for coffee lovers on this weight loss and wellness program.

Key Points

Black Coffee is Allowed: Unsweetened black coffee is permissible during the intermittent fasting window of the Galveston Diet, as it contains virtually no calories and will not break your fast.
Avoid Caloric Additives During Fasting: Any calories from sugar, cream, milk, or bulletproof coffee will break your fast and should be avoided during the 16-hour fasting period.
Consider Your Additives: Even during your eating window, choose healthy additions like a splash of almond milk or anti-inflammatory spices like cinnamon, and avoid processed creamers and sugar.
Coffee Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: Coffee contains polyphenols and other compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting one of the core tenets of the Galveston Diet.
Listen to Your Body's Hormonal Response: Due to hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause, some women become more sensitive to caffeine. Pay attention to side effects like anxiety or poor sleep and adjust intake as needed.
Consume Coffee After a Meal: To prevent cortisol spikes and blood sugar crashes, especially if sensitive to caffeine, consider drinking your coffee after your first meal rather than on an empty stomach.
Prioritize Hydration: Water should be the main beverage during your fast. Coffee does not replace your need for water.

Can You Drink Coffee on the Galveston Diet? The Short Answer

Yes, black coffee is allowed on the Galveston Diet, particularly during the intermittent fasting window. The core principles of the diet, developed by OB-GYN Dr. Mary Claire Haver, focus on intermittent fasting, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and 'fuel refocus'. Since black coffee contains virtually no calories, it does not break the fast. However, the rules become more specific when considering additives and personal sensitivities.

Coffee and Intermittent Fasting

One of the foundational pillars of the Galveston Diet is intermittent fasting, typically following a 16:8 schedule, where you fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window. The key to consuming coffee during this time is to avoid caloric intake that would end the fast. Here's a breakdown of what's acceptable:

Black Coffee: Unsweetened black coffee is perfectly acceptable during your fasting period. It helps many people manage hunger and boost energy until their eating window begins.
Unsweetened Tea: Like black coffee, herbal and unsweetened teas are allowed and can help with hydration during the fast.
Water: Water is your best friend during the fast and should be consumed generously.

What to avoid putting in your coffee during the fasting window:

Sugar and Syrups: These are pure carbohydrates that will cause an insulin spike and break your fast immediately.
Milk and Cream: Even small amounts of milk or cream contain protein, sugar, and fat, providing calories that can disrupt the fasting state.
Artificial Sweeteners: The use of zero-calorie sweeteners is debated. While they don't add calories, some studies suggest the sweet taste can still trigger an insulin response in certain individuals, potentially disrupting the fasting benefits. Dr. Haver herself cautions against them.
Bulletproof Coffee: This popular keto-friendly drink, made with butter and MCT oil, is high in calories and will break the fast.

Potential Benefits of Coffee While Fasting

Some studies suggest that moderate black coffee consumption can enhance certain fasting effects, such as promoting fat metabolism. The caffeine can also help suppress appetite and increase mental alertness, which can be beneficial during the fasting period. However, excessive intake can lead to side effects like anxiety or insomnia, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.

Coffee and Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

The Galveston Diet heavily emphasizes anti-inflammatory foods. Chronic inflammation, a common concern in perimenopause and menopause, is linked to weight gain and other health issues. While excessive caffeine is sometimes associated with inflammation, coffee itself contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols that possess anti-inflammatory properties.

To maximize the anti-inflammatory benefits of coffee, consider these tips:

Quality Over Quantity: Choose high-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans. Poorly processed coffee can sometimes contain toxins.
Avoid Inflammatory Additives: The real issue with coffee for anti-inflammatory purposes is often not the coffee itself but what is added to it. Sugary syrups, artificial flavors, and excessive dairy can all contribute to inflammation.
Try Adding Spices: Incorporate anti-inflammatory spices like cinnamon or cardamom for extra flavor without breaking your fast.

Coffee and Hormonal Balance in Midlife

Dr. Haver's approach recognizes the hormonal changes experienced during perimenopause and menopause. For some women, caffeine sensitivity increases during this time due to fluctuating hormones. This can exacerbate symptoms like anxiety, sleeplessness, and hot flashes.

Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how coffee affects your body. If you experience jitters, anxiety, or worsened sleep, you may need to reduce your intake or switch to decaf.
Avoid Coffee on an Empty Stomach: Some experts, including naturopaths focused on perimenopause, recommend having coffee after you've already eaten breakfast during your eating window. This helps to stabilize blood sugar and prevent the cortisol spike that can occur when drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
Decaf Is an Option: If you are highly sensitive to caffeine but still want the anti-inflammatory benefits of coffee's polyphenols, a high-quality decaffeinated version can provide similar benefits without the stimulant effect.

Comparison of Coffee Consumption on the Galveston Diet


Feature	During Fasting Window (e.g., 16 hours)	During Eating Window (e.g., 8 hours)
Coffee Type	Black, unsweetened only.	Black, or with approved additives.
Additives	Not allowed, especially sugar, cream, and artificial sweeteners.	Small amounts of healthy additions like almond milk or spices are permitted.
Timing	First half of the fasting window is often recommended to avoid sleep disruption.	After a meal to help stabilize blood sugar.
Goal	To help curb appetite and boost metabolism without breaking the fast.	To enjoy the taste and benefits of coffee without sabotaging anti-inflammatory goals.
Potential Pitfalls	Jitters, anxiety, and sleep issues if consumed excessively on an empty stomach.	Using inflammatory additives like sugar or processed creamers.

Conclusion

Coffee can be a valuable part of the Galveston Diet, offering anti-inflammatory benefits and aiding in appetite suppression during the fasting period. The key lies in consuming it black and unsweetened during your fast and being mindful of how additives might affect your anti-inflammatory goals or perimenopausal symptoms. By paying close attention to your body's unique response and adhering to the guidelines, you can continue to enjoy your daily coffee ritual while successfully following the Galveston Diet for your health and wellness goals. Always prioritize hydration with water, listen to your body, and consider high-quality decaf if caffeine sensitivity is an issue. For more information on the diet's principles, visit the official website The Galveston Diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot add milk or cream to your coffee during the 16-hour fasting window, as these contain calories that will break your fast. During your 8-hour eating window, small amounts of approved, healthy milk alternatives like unsweetened almond milk are acceptable.

Artificial sweeteners are a debated topic, and Dr. Haver advises against them during the fasting window. While they are calorie-free, they can sometimes trigger an insulin response in certain individuals, potentially disrupting the benefits of the fast.

Drinking black coffee on an empty stomach can trigger a release of cortisol, the stress hormone, for some people. If you are sensitive to this effect, it's recommended to have your coffee after you've eaten a meal during your designated eating window.

Moderation is key. Consuming one to two cups of black coffee during your fasting period is generally considered fine. Over-consumption can lead to negative side effects like anxiety and disrupted sleep.

Yes, decaf coffee is an excellent option, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine. It provides the same anti-inflammatory polyphenols as regular coffee without the stimulating effects of caffeine.

No, bulletproof coffee, which contains butter and MCT oil, is high in calories and fat, which breaks the fasting state. It is not compatible with the fasting principles of the Galveston Diet.

Coffee contains potent antioxidants known as polyphenols, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. However, its overall effect can be influenced by individual sensitivities and the addition of inflammatory ingredients like sugar.