Is your drink really caffeine free?

Caffeine can irritate the stomach pouch and interfere with sleep. These are some reasons we ask you to eliminate caffeine before surgery. Coffee and tea are well known sources of caffeine. These must specifically state “de-caffeinated” on the label to be considered caffeine free. Many patients assume green tea is caffeine free. It is not. Check the label of all tea and coffee sources to make sure it states “de-caffeinated.”

Where else does caffeine lurk? Energy drinks will have caffeine in them. One ingredient in energy drinks is guarana, which is another plant based caffeine source. Green coffee bean extract has gotten a lot of attention in the media this year. It’s still coffee and it will still have caffeine in it.

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, not truly an energy source. True energy sources are carbohydrate, fat and protein. Chocolate will also contain a little caffeine, but is allowed in the bariatric nutrition guidelines. Three cheers for that, right?

Some medications can also contain caffeine, so you must check the ingredient labels to make sure it’s caffeine free. These medications can be both prescription and over the counter medicines. Caffeine can also serve as a diuretic in some people if too much is consumed. Start checking out those labels to find caffeine free drinks.