Having a cup of coffee every morning is a beloved and cherished routine. Some might even call it sacred. It's certainly an activity that shouldn't be hindered if you decide to try a new eating approach like the keto diet.
While black coffee, being almost calorie- and carb-free, is keto-friendly, most typical mix-ins like milk and sugar are not allowed on the keto diet. That's where keto coffee, also known as bulletproof or butter coffee, comes in.
What's in keto coffee?
The key to keto coffee, like the rest of the high-fat, low-carb diet, is the added fats. You can select from a variety of options for keto coffee, but the most common choices include butter, MCT oil, ghee, coconut oil, or heavy cream. Coconut oil gives a delicate tropical flavor, or butter creates a rich mouthfeel. MCT oils can be more neutral.
If you're not a fan of plain coffee, you can also add a little keto creamer, such as heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk, to lighten your drink. Some sugar-free syrups also meet keto diet requirements, but they may not fit all diet plans.
Does keto coffee help with weight loss?
Keto coffee increases fat burning, which gives the added side effect of relatively rapid weight loss because the dieter actually feels fuller, fighting cravings for unhealthy foods and drinks.
Additionally, keto coffee proponents cite a resulting mental boost and focus, as well as an increase in physical energy, which are also components that result from properly incorporating the keto diet.
Keto coffee is an ingredient in the keto diet because the goal of the weight loss diet is to get your body to produce ketones from your own body fat.
Getting ketones from both existing body stores and dietary fat intake is key, because eating too much fat limits the amount of fat your body burns.
All that said, it's important to keep in mind that simply adding keto coffee to your regular diet won't lead to weight loss and may actually do the opposite. Adding grass-fed butter certainly adds extra saturated fat, but adding those fats without cutting carbs won't put your body into ketosis. Keto coffee can be beneficial for your body when you're following a strict keto diet.
For these reasons, if you're not on the keto diet, there's really no need to include keto coffee in your life, and if you're looking to lose some weight, you can also opt for black coffee with low-fat or unsweetened milk, or non-dairy alternatives like nut milks.
As for keto coffee options, you can make your own cup of coffee and add a little butter, MCT oil, or coconut oil, and there are also a variety of more instant powdered versions available.
How to prepare keto coffee?
Ideal for a keto diet, keto coffee can help you feel full and satisfied for hours. Many people choose to have keto coffee for breakfast and then eat a low-carb meal at lunchtime.
Keto Coffee Recipe
After making a cup of coffee , simply place the prepared coffee in a blender along with the other ingredients. Be careful when opening the blender cup. It's a good idea to start slowly and vent the lid occasionally, blending only one cup at a time.
Fill it with only half of the intended brewed coffee and blend the remaining ingredients for about 10-15 seconds, then pour in the rest of the coffee, blending again until you have a good foam.
Keto coffee typically provides around 440 calories with 0 grams of carbs and 51 grams of fat (80% saturated). Keep in mind that when you replace a daily meal with coffee and fat, you're also reducing the overall nutrient content of your diet.
Should I try keto coffee?
Many people on the keto diet and intermittent fasting use keto coffee as a breakfast replacement. Having a high-fat beverage, along with a caffeine boost, can keep you satiated and energized through lunch.
But the main reason to go keto is if you're trying to cut down on carbs (like those found in milk and sugar) and increase your fat intake while still enjoying a creamy coffee drink.