Can you put protein powder in coffee? (Yes, learn how!)

Should You Add Protein Powder In Your Coffee?

Let's get right to it. You can add protein powder to your coffee and there are several potential benefits to doing it.

Protein powder in your coffee is a great way to ensure you get enough protein and add nutrients to your coffee.

It'll turn your coffee from a quick pick-me-up to an excellent on-the-go meal for busy mornings or pre-workout fuel.

Protein powder is versatile and can be consumed at different times throughout the day. 

Whether added to your coffee, using it as a post-workout shake, or enjoying it as a protein-packed snack, protein powder can help you achieve your fitness goals.

One of the biggest advantages of adding protein to coffee is that you can avoid sugar since it improves the coffee taste.

Added sugar is linked to chronic diseases like high blood sugar, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, declining brain function, and cancer.

So, add some protein powder to your brew next time you're brewing your morning coffee. It's a simple and delicious way to fuel your body to keep going throughout the day.

What Are The Benefits Of Protein Supplements?

Protein supplements can have many benefits for your overall health and fitness goals.[1]

Consuming protein can aid in building and maintaining muscle and weight gain, which can ultimately help with weight loss by increasing your metabolic rate.

Additional health benefits include muscle recovery after exercise, which can help you achieve your fitness goals.

It can also help you lose weight because it will add more calories to your coffee.

I know that doesn't make complete sense, but when you add calories to your coffee in the morning, you can curb your cravings for the rest of the day.

Combining protein into your coffee can provide the extra benefit of increasing your energy levels, which may lead to a higher calorie burn and ultimately contribute to losing body weight and body fat.

What Are The Benefits Of Coffee Consumption?

Coffee offers various health benefits.[2]

Some of the most notable are improved alertness, reduced risk of degenerative neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, and early death.

Consuming coffee before exercise can also enhance workout performance and endurance, boosts weight loss, and help build muscle.

In that regard, it has benefits similar to those of protein supplements.

Pros & Cons Of Mixing Protein Powder & Coffee

Benefits

Adding protein powder to your coffee may be just what you need to power through your day or workout. Here are some benefits you can enjoy:

Replacement for Sugar: Protein powder can be a healthy alternative to sugar or creamer. It adds a sweet taste to your coffee without unnecessary sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Meet Protein Requirements: Protein powder is a convenient way to meet your daily protein requirements. Adding a scoop to your coffee is an easy way to help you reach your daily protein intake.

Improves Taste: Not only does protein powder add nutrients to your coffee, but it can also enhance the flavor of your coffee. It gives your coffee a creamy texture and smooth taste.

Weight Loss Support: Protein powder can help you feel full for longer, reducing your calorie intake and supporting your weight loss goals.

Muscle Building Support: Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair. Adding protein powder to your coffee can help you build and maintain muscle mass.

Aids in Muscle Recovery: Your muscles need protein to recover after a tough workout. Adding most protein powders to your coffee can provide the necessary protein for muscle recovery.

Workout Performance Gains: Protein powder can give your body the energy it needs to perform at its best during a workout.

Adding it to your coffee can give you the boost you need to get the most out of exercise.

Putting protein powder in your coffee is a simple and convenient way to add more protein to your diet, support weight loss, and build and maintain muscle mass.

So, the next time you're brewing your morning cup of joe, consider adding some protein powder to take your coffee game to the next level.

Drawbacks

Adding protein powders to your coffee can be a great way to increase your protein intake. Still, it's essential to be aware of the potential drawbacks. Here are some potential issues to consider:

Harmful additives: Some low-quality protein powders contain artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors, which can adversely affect your health.

Be sure to choose a high-quality protein powder with no harmful additives.[3]

Excessive protein consumption: Consuming too much protein can cause kidney damage, dehydration, and other health problems.

Keep your overall protein intake in check and consult with a doctor or registered dietitian if you have concerns.

Not a balanced meal replacement: Protein coffee does not replace a balanced breakfast. Protein powders do not contain the same nutritional value as other breakfast foods.

Your breakfast should include a variety of nutrients such as carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Even if you aren’t a breakfast person, it's important to still consume a balanced meal of whole foods and your protein coffee.

To enjoy the benefits of coffee and protein powder while avoiding the potential drawbacks, choose a high-quality protein powder and be mindful of your overall protein intake.

Remember that protein coffee is a supplement, not a replacement for a balanced diet.

Best Types Of Protein Powder To Add To Coffee

When you put protein powder in your coffee, you get an extra boost of nutrients and flavor with your caffeine.

Selecting the right protein powder will make a significant difference. For starters, you'll want to stick to familiar flavors. The best protein powder for you will be one you already enjoy.

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel here.

You don't want to go crazy with unique flavors that may not pair well with coffee's strong taste.

Classic flavors like chocolate, cookies and cream, peanut butter chocolate, and vanilla protein powder are great options for your coffee.

Some brands to check out if you don't already have a favorite are:

Depending on your dietary preferences and restrictions, you may want to choose plant-based powders like soy protein powder over whey protein.

For example, vegetarians may need a powder with extra amino acids, and plant-based protein powder may help people with acid reflux.

Make sure to research the pros and cons of each before you put protein powder in your coffee.

Mixing Protein Powder & Coffee (Try These “Proffee” Recipes)

Iced Coffee With Protein Powder

Here's a simple and delicious iced protein coffee recipe perfect for a hot summer day. This recipe is an excellent low-calorie alternative to a sugary iced latte.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Hot Coffee With Protein Powder

If you’d prefer hot protein coffee, here's a simple and delicious recipe for a hot coffee with protein powder:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

You can adjust the amount of almond milk and experiment with different protein powder flavors to find your perfect cup of proffee.

Blended Coffee With Protein Powder

This is one of my favorite recipes. For an extra treat, here's a simple and tasty blended coffee with protein powder recipe:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

You can also add additional flavorings like cinnamon or sugar-free syrup to customize your proffee to your liking.

FAQs

Is there caffeine in protein powder?

Most protein powders will not have caffeine. However, a few options are available for purchasing pre-made protein coffee and coffee protein. “Coffee protein” is usually marketed as "pre-workout" or "energy" protein powders and have the same health benefits as mixing it yourself.

Does hot coffee destroy protein powder nutrients?

Hot coffee will not destroy the nutrients in your protein powder. To combine protein powder with hot coffee, you can use a blender or mix it with water or milk and add it to your coffee.

Is protein powder in coffee better with milk?

Protein powder in coffee is better with milk if you already enjoy adding it to your regular coffee. The milk will add flavor, and if you're using dairy milk, it can also provide an additional source of appetite-decreasing and muscle-building protein.

Can I add collagen powder to my coffee?

Yes, you can add collagen powder to your coffee. You can safely add collagen protein to hot coffee because brewing temperatures are usually below the point at which collagen peptides break down.

Is there a coffee creamer with protein?

There are creamers available with protein. For example, STACK'D Protein Creamer is an all-natural, powdered coffee creamer high in protein.

Can you use a protein shake as a coffee creamer?

You can use a protein shake as a coffee creamer. Most people swap out regular creamer for a protein shake to add essential vitamins and minerals to their morning cup of coffee.

Conclusion

Protein powder and coffee are a great combination. They are an excellent way to get a protein boost and enhance your energy levels first thing in the morning (or late at night).

However, it's essential to choose a high-quality protein powder and be mindful of potential drawbacks, such as harmful additives and excessive protein consumption.

References:

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19390211.2017.1353567?journalCode=ijds20
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28675917/
3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-hidden-dangers-of-protein-powders