How to Get the Most from Protein Coffee…and Why You Should!

From supervillain to superhero, coffee now enjoys its reputation as an energizing, antioxidant-rich beverage that can help boost your metabolism, regulate your bowel movements, and even lower your risk of heart disease. That alone is a ton to celebrate, but when coffee is combined with protein, the benefits become even more impressive. We’ve got the scoop on protein coffee and why it’s so popular, plus 7 protein coffee recipes for every day of the week! 

What Is Protein Coffee?

That depends on who you ask. If you’re referring to protein coffee that’s trending today, then it’s coffee mixed with protein powder, like whey, collagen, soy, or casein. 

That’s right. Those same protein powders you’re used to mixing with smoothies can be added to your favorite cup of joe, preferably as iced protein coffee since the powders don’t tend to mix very well when added to a hot coffee.

But if you’re asking paleo enthusiasts who have been around for awhile, they might scoff at this limited definition. Because what is protein coffee beyond coffee mixed with high-quality protein…like butter or eggs? And they’ve been drinking those concoctions for quite some time. 

Which begs the question…why?

The Perks of Protein Plus Coffee

We now know that drinking 1-3 cups of coffee a day can help:

• Enhance physical and mental performance
• Boost metabolism and support weight loss
• Activate fat burning
• Alleviate muscle pain before and during workouts
• Energize and optimize focus
• Protect with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
• Promote oxygen circulation
• Lower your risk of neurodegenerative diseases
• Prevent type 2 diabetes
• Protect your liver
• Balance your moods
• Increase your lifespan

But one thing coffee isn’t equipped to do? Meet your body’s protein needs.

And those needs are vast! Your body needs protein to build, maintain, and repair muscle, tissues, skin, bone, and cartilage, and to make enzymes, chemicals, and neurotransmitters that keep our bodies functioning properly.

Adding a scoop of protein powder or other form of dietary protein to coffee ensures you’re getting your daily allotment of protein alongside energy gains, and together the protein and coffee are helping you lose weight and accelerating your recovery from workouts. 

5 Protein Powder Coffee Supplements to Try

If you’re sticking to a whole-food diet, then jump ahead to the DIY protein coffee recipes below. If convenience is more your speed, then experiment with the following 5 protein powder coffee supplements vetted by Fitoru. All can be easily added to a cup of iced coffee. 

1. Biotrust® Low Carb — Protein Powder Blend

All you keto and low-carb dieters out there might like to start with Biotrust’s low-carb protein powder blend, which has 24 grams of grass-fed protein from pasture-raised cows and 4 grams of carbs.

We give it a thumbs up for its exclusion of growth hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, pesticides, gluten, soy, artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives, and its inclusion of gut-friendly prebiotics and digestive enzymes. It comes in six yummy flavored proteins and features whey as its protein base.

2. Chike Nutrition High Protein Coffee Peanut Butter Iced Coffee

The ultimate in convenience and satisfaction, Chike’s Peanut Butter Iced Coffee disguises the taste of protein with peanut butter coffee flavor and scores high on the convenience scale. All you have to do is mix with cold water or milk and you’ve got yourself a high protein coffee that compares to Starbucks most decadent dessert coffee. Twenty grams of protein never tasted so good!

3. Isopure with Coffee

With 50 grams of protein from whey protein isolate and added coffee, Isopure with Coffee is the protein powder of choice if you’re looking to lift weights and bulk up. It’s also lactose free and easy on the gut for those with milk allergies. You can stir it into milk or water, but if you’re craving a more frothy and cappuccino-like drink then be sure to blend it up!

4. HealthWise Proticcino Coffee Drink

With 5 grams of carbohydrates and 15 grams of protein per serving, this coffee drink has a favorable macronutrient ratio for people watching their weight. This low-calorie coffee drink boasts no trans fats, but we were unable to verify the other ingredients. If taste and weight loss are your wants in a protein coffee, then this can claim a spot in your pantry, but if you’re a stickler for healthy ingredients…well, you may want to search elsewhere.

5. Legion Whey + Protein Powder

Got your favorite brand of coffee and simply want a pure whey protein powder to mix in? Then you’re in good hands with Legion’s, which will amplify the taste of your coffee with its mocha cappuccino flavor and support your dietary efforts with 22 grams of protein and just 2 grams of carbs. It’s 100% natural, low in calories, and goes great in an iced coffee pre or post workout.

Old-School Ways to Make Protein Coffee

Coffee used to just be black with some sugar and creamer for those with a sweet tooth. Then along came Dave Asprey and his Bulletproof Coffee, a mix of coffee plus high-quality protein in the form of grass-fed butter along with medium chain triglycerides to put you in fat-burning mode and increase your body’s production of ketones. 

Bulletproof or keto coffee is still a great way to make your own homemade protein coffee. And the addition of MCT oil amplifies the weight-loss effects of protein and coffee. 

Or you could do it like the Scandinavians do: boil a raw egg, mix it with coffee grounds and water, and then strain.

Are you a vegetarian who avoids whey? No worries! You can get on the protein coffee bandwagon using dried mushrooms as your protein of choice. A bit of reishi or chaga mixed in with your morning cup of coffee can help boost your immune system and relieve stress. And for even more protein, add a scoop of spirulina powder!

7 Protein Coffee Recipes for Every Day of the Week

Ready for a week of protein-packed coffee? Try all seven of these recipes and then let us know your favorite in the comments below!

1. Monday: Mocha Protein Coffee Smoothie

We all need a little extra pep on Monday, so let’s make it a mocha morning!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cups coffee, chilled
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 2-4 cubes melted dark chocolate, to taste
• 2 cups ice
• Optional: 1 serving of stevia

Instructions:

1. Brew the coffee the evening before and let it chill in the fridge overnight. 
2. Add all ingredients to your blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

2. Tuesday: Keto Almond Milk Express

An espresso drink that falls within keto parameters makes Tuesday so much more tempting.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 2 tablespoons espresso powder
• 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon monk fruit sweetener

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients in a large blender until smooth and thick.
2. Pour into a mug and enjoy with a loved one (or save the leftovers as an afternoon pick-me-up!)

3: Wednesday: Iced Protein Latte

It’s the little things that can make Wednesdays all the more bearable—like this vanilla-infused iced protein latte!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold brew coffee
• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1 banana
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 cup ice

Instructions:

1. Brew coffee the night before and refrigerate for the morning.
2. Blend the ingredients together for a frappuccino-like effect, or stir ingredients in over ice.

4. Thursday: Morning Coffee Protein Shake

This guilt-free protein iced coffee is tasty at all times of the day, particularly in the afternoon when you need a little extra something to get you through the Thursday lulls.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup brewed coffee, chilled
• 1/2 cup milk or milk substitute
• 1/2 banana
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 2 MCT capsules
• 1 teaspoon cacao nibs
• 2 drops liquid stevia
• 1 1/2 cups ice

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to your blender and whip it up till it reaches a smooth shake consistency. 

5. Friday: Berry Chocolate Flavored Coffee Protein Shake

You did it! You made it through one more work week. Celebrate with this decadent chocolate protein powder coffee shake.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 cup unsweetened plain cashew milk
• 1/2 cup chilled brewed coffee

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to your blender and blend!

6. Saturday: Protein Coffee Caramel Frappe

Here’s a healthy spin on a caramel frappe that will boost your protein intake but keep your sugar count on the lower end.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 4 teaspoons espresso powder
• 2 tablespoons Magic Vegan Caramel Sauce (courtesy of Pinch of Yum)
• 1 cups ice

Instructions:

1. Whip up all the ingredients in your high-powered blender, drizzle with another dollop of caramel sauce, add some real, unprocessed whip cream, and enjoy your Saturday!

7. Sunday: Hazelnut Protein Coffee Iced Latte

Packed with hazelnuts and protein powder to boot, this iced latte can be enjoyed on your way to the gym or as a post-workout treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened
• 1 scoop whey protein powder
• 2 shots of espresso
• 1 serving monk fruit
• 1 ounce hazelnuts
• 1 cup ice

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth. Top with cinnamon and make your Sunday count!

There you have it, folks! A protein coffee for every day of the week to make sure your muscles, mind, and body are operating on all cylinders when you need them the most.