If you’re craving your daily dose of caffeine without compromising on fitness goals then this Tiktok food trend is perfect for you! The amalgamation of the coffee and protein flavors is a match made in heaven for fitness enthusiasts.
This popular new coffee drink, popularly known “proffee” has created a buzz on social media due to its potency as a morning drink. In this blog, we will learn some simple protein recipes that are a perfect addition to your coffee stack.
Is Coffee A Good Source Of Protein?
While coffee on its own has many benefits, it is not a good source of protein. Regular coffee with water has close to no protein content. The amount of protein content differs in various kinds of coffee.
For instance, one cup of latte is packed with 4.41 grams of protein which forms a portion of the daily recommended intake. The bottom line is that coffee on its own is not a good source of protein but when combined with other components like sugar, flavored syrups, and cream, they are rich in protein and fats.
Why Should You Choose Protein Coffee?
A slew of protein coffee recipes has been springing up on social media. Protein coffee refers to flavorful and nourishing protein powders that are added to your coffee. It is usually served cold as protein powders easily get diluted in cold coffee and taste better as a chilled beverage.
Is protein coffee the best choice for you? Well, the answer is subjective. If you are someone who is regularly engaged in exercise or needs to increase their daily protein intake, “proffees” are the perfect drink for you. Keep in mind that protein coffees are a great alternative but if you’re already a coffee drinker it isn’t going to provide more protein than other sources like egg or yogurt. If you’re someone who often skips their breakfast and prefers coffee instead then protein coffee is a smart choice for you.
Is Protein Coffee Healthy For You?
The role of protein is to supply amino acids which are responsible for the maintenance, repair, and healing of protein tissues in our body. For active people who work out every day, your protein needs to increase by a large margin.
Since your body goes through a lot of wear and tear during exercise, it can only get replenished by adequate protein content. The optimal protein intake for most active people ranges from 1.2 to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight. This number is relative to the amount of exercise your body is subjected to. The lower end is for cardio-based exercisers while the higher end is reserved for those engaged in strength programs. This means that the more you exercise, the higher your protein intake should be.
Protein coffee has been attributed to a lot of health benefits. But which of them are true? Protein powder is helpful if you experience cravings in the morning as long as they are caused by blood sugar fluctuations. They also aid in muscle loss and increase mental awareness. We will discuss this more in detail in the latter part of this blog post.
How To Make Protein Coffee?
Some people prefer to mix coffee with their pre-protein shakes while others blend their coffee with a few scoops of plant protein powder. Some prefer brewing coffee with two scoops of collagen and while others consume high-protein milk to enrich the flavor.
All of these methods are viable as they provide at least 30 grams of protein and a deliciously refreshing drink! There is no hard rule when it comes to making your own protein coffee. There are two general ways you can prepare your morning cup of protein coffee.
- Cold Brew Protein Coffee
- Hot Brew Protein Coffee
Although most commercial protein manufacturers suggest having protein coffee as a cold beverage, you can consume it even as a hot drink.
Cold Brew Protein Coffee
Let’s start with the cold version which is more customizable. This recipe is more of a protein shake with protein coffee recipe than coffee with added protein powder. If you have a little more time on your hands, you can customize this drink to your liking.
For the ingredients, you’ll need the following:
- 1 cup of coffee
- 2-3 scoops of whey protein powder (preferably chocolate protein powder)
- Ice
- Milk and sugar (optional)
For the equipment, you’ll need a coffee grinder, a blender, and a cup or glass. After assembling the materials, follow the steps below.
- The brewing process of cold coffee spans over 12 hours. This might take a portion of your time so make sure you prepare 1 cup of cold brew coffee ahead of time and store it in a mason jar.
- The next step involves mixing all the ingredients together in a blender. Take your cold brewed coffee along with1-2 scoops of protein powder and ice.
- Blend the mixture till you get a smooth texture with no lumps.
You can use 1-2 tablespoons of coffee to counter the flavor of protein powder.
Hot Brew Protein Coffee
This recipe is perfect for people on the move. It is effortless and quick so you can indulge in this decadent drink every morning.
- Start off by brewing your coffee and transferring it to your tall glass or cup.
- Add 1-2 scoops of protein powder depending on whether you are consuming this as a supplement to your breakfast or not. We recommend using chocolate or vanilla protein powder in your hot protein coffee.
- Stir the mixture vigorously till there are no powdery lumps. This might take longer as protein powder leaves major chunks behind. This depends on which protein powder you use.
- This step is optional but if you use milk and sugar in your regular coffee, feel free to use them.
Most people usually don’t use sugar because of the additional flavor that protein powder adds. Try it both ways to see which one is palatable for you.
Tips For Making Protein Coffee
If you are going for the colder version, make sure you use coffee grounds that are stronger than the ones you normally for. We recommend using dark roast coffee as cold coffee typically has a muted taste and gets a bit diluted after adding ice cubes. You can use additional spoons of coffee or protein powder to counteract the ice in this case. Since you need to dilute the concentrate, make sure that you use four cups of water to one cup of coffee grounds for this method.
For hot brew coffee, the simple rule is to use 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water. You’ll want to grind your coffee beans to a medium coarse texture to extract the most flavor. Since it is cumbersome to blend the thick protein powder with your coffee mixture, you can even use a milk frother to blend your protein powders.
Health Benefits Of Protein Coffee
You cannot rely on protein coffee on its own to be your only protein source. According to Caroline Thomason, a registered dietician, “Protein coffee may be helpful for people who currently skip breakfast and are trying to lose weight.” If you are someone who is struggling to get in enough protein through whole foods, protein coffee can be a healthy addition to your diet.
However, if you are looking to rely on protein coffee solely as the main source, you will notice a significant change in your body. Nonetheless, there are some benefits of consuming protein coffee.
It Supports Weight Loss
Protein coffee is responsible for reducing your morning cravings if they are caused by blood sugar fluctuations. Along with reducing morning cravings, it even curbs your raging appetite. In turn, you can naturally decrease the number of calories you need to consume per day.
As far as cravings are concerned, it’s essential to acknowledge that there are complex reasons attributed to cravings such as a response to an overly restrictive diet, hormones, or natural deficiencies. In such cases, protein coffee will not help and medical consultation may be needed.
It Prevents Age-Related Muscle Loss
As we grow older, we tend to lose muscle mass. We all know that protein supplements are beneficial if you are trying to build muscle. Protein coffee is a powerful combination that improves your metabolism and helps build muscle.
To achieve optimal results, use high-quality protein powders such as whey protein products that promote muscle growth and facilitate muscle recovery after high-intensity workouts.
It Enhances Your Cognitive Function
According to some studies, protein coffee helps delay symptoms of Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.
Protein coffee improves your cognitive function by increasing mental alertness and staving off depression.
Conclusion
Protein coffee works as a great supplement as it helps you reach your daily protein goals. It helps you stay full longer, balance blood sugar levels, and regulate hormones throughout the day.
Remember that while protein coffee serves its purpose, you should also be implementing other protein sources throughout the day.
