Close Banner Functional Food 5 Sneaky Reasons Coffee Can Cause Weight Gain & What To Do Author: Jillian Kubala, M.S., R.D. March 04, 2026 Registered Dietitian By Jillian Kubala, M.S., R.D. Registered Dietitian Jillian Kubala, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian based in Westhampton, NY. She holds a master's degree in nutrition from Stony Brook University School of Medicine as well as an undergraduate degree in nutrition science. Image by Nathan Dumlao / Unsplash March 04, 2026 We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links. For many people, coffee is a normal part of everyday life. It’s enjoyed in the morning, as an afternoon pick-me-up, and even with dessert to wind down after a multi-course meal. Like many foods and drinks, coffee’s impact on body weight isn’t black and white, and some people may experience weight gain from drinking certain coffee drinks or using coffee as a meal replacement. In this article, we’re telling you everything you need to know about coffee and weight gain, including potential reasons why coffee could affect weight and how to enjoy your coffee in healthier ways.  Reasons coffee might cause unwanted weight gain Coffee itself won’t cause you to gain weight. An 8-ounce cup 1 of black coffee only contains five calories, so drinking a few cups of black coffee a day will contribute minimal calories to your total energy intake. However, there are several reasons why your daily coffee habit could be sabotaging your weight loss efforts. 1 . Your daily coffee order needs a revamp Even though coffee drinks like frappuccinos and lattes are delicious, certain specialty drinks are loaded with calories and added sugar. “Whole milk, whipped cream, and flavored syrups add a lot of saturated fat and added sugars, so the average 16 oz coffee drink can contain enough calories to rival a meal, albeit with less nutrition,” dietitian Desiree Nielsen, R.D. , tells mindbodygreen. Although there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your favorite sweet coffee drink on occasion, ordering a high-calorie coffee drink every day could lead to a calorie surplus or taking in more calories than you’re burning. 2 . You’re using high-calorie additives Popular coffee additives like flavored creamers can also be high in calories and sugar. A few glugs of liquid creamer can easily add 100 calories and multiple teaspoons of added sugar to your coffee, which impacts your blood sugar levels . “Sugary coffee drinks may lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes that can leave you feeling very hungry afterward,” Nielsen says. Even creamers marketed as “healthy” or “healthier” can provide quite a few calories. For example, creamers made with coconut milk can contain around 75 calories per scoop. While this isn’t a large number of calories, it could make a difference to someone trying to create a calorie deficit to promote weight loss.  3 . Sugar substitutes may impact your appetite clean coffee+ Finally, a great-tasting coffee you can trust ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (60) Shop now Shop now If you’re replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners, it could be impacting your body weight. Although research is conflicting, some studies have found that certain artificial sweeteners may increase body weight. A 2019 study that included 154 people with overweight or obesity found that participants who drank 1.25 to 1.75 liters of beverages containing sugar or saccharin (Sweet’N Low) per day for 12 weeks gained weight 2 . Participants who consumed drinks containing aspartame, rebA (stevia), or sucralose did not experience any weight changes. Research suggests that some artificial sweeteners can stimulate appetite and increase energy intake 3 , which could lead to weight gain. Additionally, artificial sweetener intake has been linked to an increased risk of stroke , heart disease, and all-cause mortality. 4 . It’s affecting your sleep The caffeine found in coffee is a central nervous system stimulant 4 , meaning it increases feelings of alertness. Because coffee can make you feel more awake and energized, it may negatively impact sleep. Most people understand that drinking coffee close to bedtime could lead to a night filled with tossing and turning. However, studies show that drinking coffee hours before going to bed can affect sleep quality, too. A small 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that consuming 400 mg of caffeine—which equates to around four cups of coffee—six hours before bed more than doubled the time it took for participants to fall asleep 5 and reduced total sleep time by one hour compared to a placebo. Research has linked poor sleep quality to weight gain, obesity 6 , and other health issues 7 , which is why prioritizing sleep is so important. Even though caffeine’s effect on sleep depends on individual tolerance and sensitivity and a few other factors,