Caffeine in Hiding

By Lisa D. Ellis

Are you craving an iced coffee right now? Who isn’t! That favorite summertime pick-me-up is a refreshing treat that not only helps to cool you off but also provides a hefty dose of caffeine for a pick-me-up. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that coffee is one of the primary sources of caffeine intake for most adults, according to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

But while it’s no secret that coffee drinks are packed with caffeine, did you know that similar amounts of caffeine can also be found in a wide variety of other things that you eat and drink?

The Truth about Caffeine

While a little caffeine can help wake you up and give you more energy, consuming too much caffeine can cause a host of health problems. These include headaches, difficulty sleeping, panic attacks, heart palpitations, and stomach ailments. In addition, too much caffeine can escalate bladder control problems. Therefore, it’s important to know what items contain caffeine so you moderate your intake appropriately.

Be in the Know Before You Sip

Of course you already know that your cups of coffee, tea, and colas give you plenty of caffeine. But it may surprise you to learn that choices like Mountain Dew and orange sodas have almost as much caffeine as drinking coca cola. So do some root beers, iced tea mixes, hot cocoa, flavored milks (such as chocolate, strawberry and coffee) and even certain vitamin waters. The amount of caffeine may vary among different types of drinks, though, and even among different brands of the same flavor. Further, if you want to avoid caffeine so you opt for decaf coffee, tea or soda, it’s important to know that decaf does not mean caffeine free. It usually just means a lesser of amount of caffeine is contained in the item than in the non-decaf choice.

Look Before You Eat

You can also find caffeine in a variety of food that you eat. For instance, did you know that eating some low-fat coffee yogurts can give you the same amount of caffeine you would get from drinking a can of Coke? Some ice creams also contain caffeine as do other popular breakfast and dessert items. This includes cookies, brownies, doughnuts, breakfast bars, muffins, and some cereal. Candies, including milk and dark chocolate, certain toppings, syrups, icing and chocolate-covered fruit are also sources of caffeine, too. Therefore, you should think twice before you indulge in these treats.

Medications May Matter

When it comes to identifying sources of caffeine in your diet, even your medications may be worth looking into. Certain headache remedies, pain relievers, diet pills, and cold medications rely on caffeine. So check the ingredients, or ask a pharmacist if you aren’t sure if you are caffeine sensitive and aren’t sure if a medicine is safe for your situation.

Buyer Beware

Nutritionists recommend getting used to reading ingredient labels as an important way to become aware of what you are consuming. One word of caution, though. The current regulations require manufacturers to disclose the fact that a product contains caffeine only when it is added to the product. In cases like chocolate, however, when it is a natural part of the item, it is not included in the list of ingredients, so you need to have your facts straight in order to protect yourself. In addition, there are several herbal ingredients (such as guarana) that contain caffeine and ginseng, which is said to intensity the effect of it. Such substances can often be found in some energy drinks, so you need to be on the lookout for these.

If caffeine doesn’t bother you, the experts say that consuming a moderate amount, such as you would get in two to four cups of coffee or tea a day won’t do any harm. But keep in mind that getting more than that on a regular basis can eventually take its toll on so many levels.