Imagine, your diet needs protein shakes and you are bored with it. What if you get your coffee with protein powder? Well, that combination is possible. Do you know how to make coffee with protein powder? Is it good for your health? What type of protein powders can be used with coffee? Let’s discuss everything in detail.
Protein powder is a kind of special supplement that’s packed with lots of protein. It is great for your body. You can find different types of protein powder, like Whey, Soy, and Casein. People usually mix protein powder with water or milk, but you can also mix it into your coffee. This special coffee can give more energy and help your muscles grow stronger. The protein powder comes in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or even with no taste at all. So, when you add protein powder to your coffee, it won’t taste like your usual cup of coffee.
What Is proffee or Protein Coffee?
Protein Powder
First, you need to know what Protein powder is. It is a type of food supplement that has lots of protein. It is another name for proffee. Protein is really important because:
- It helps us build muscles,
- Fix body tissues, and
- Make things like enzymes and hormones.
There are few types of protein powder, such as Whey, Soy, Casein etc. If you want to grow your muscles, work out better, or need more protein in your diet, this is for you. Usually, it is mixed into water or milk. Moreover, you can put it into smoothies and other meals.
Proffee or Protein Coffee
Coffee with protein powder is a hyped drink called Protein coffee or Proffee. This beverage mixes the energy boost from coffee with the muscle-growing power of protein. If you are fond of exercising, this drink can be one of your favorite drinks. You can use any protein powder you like and mix it with your coffee.
This mix is good for adding protein to your diet. It will give you more energy. It is beneficial to drink Protein coffee before or after exercising. But remember, the protein can change the taste of your coffee. Besides, the taste of your drink will depend on which protein powder you use.
How to Make Coffee with Protein Powder?
If you want to make coffee with protein powder, here’s a simple recipe for you. You can either make it at normal temperature or use ice in it.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of coffee
- 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder (Whey, Soy, or Casein)
- Maybe some milk, almond milk, sweetener, or spices like cinnamon if you want.
Instructions
- Make your coffee normally as always. Then let it cool down a bit.
- Put your protein powder in a different cup or bottle. Then add some cold milk or water to the protein powder and mix it up until it is smooth.
- Pour the previously made cooled coffee into the protein mix. Shake it or stir it up to mix everything well.
- Add sweetener or spices like cinnamon (if you want) to make it taste even better.
Remember, if you do not mix your protein powder well, your coffee will be lumpy. Make sure your coffee isn’t too hot when you add the protein powder. Pouring hot coffee can make your drink taste and feel weird.
Iced Protein Coffee
For Iced protein coffee, you will need ice as an additional ingredient. Use cold coffee and some ice while blending. Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour your coffee and protein mix on it. You can also serve it by adding extra ice on top. That’s how you can enjoy your protein coffee with an icy taste.
What Kind of Protein Powders Are Used with Coffee?
You might get confused about which protein powder to select for your protein coffee. Let’s discuss some of it for making coffee with protein powder.
1. Whey Protein
Whey protein is a common protein powder. It comes from milk. It has unique flavors that can make your coffee taste even better. A great concern is that Whey protein can get lumpy if the coffee is too hot. Just be careful while using it in your coffee.
2. Plant-Based Protein
Plant-based protein powders are made from peas or rice. Usually, these are a good choice for vegans or people who can’t have dairy. But some people don’t like the taste of this protein. If you are a vegan and like the taste of plant-based proteins, you can use them in your coffee.
3. Casein Protein
Like Whey protein, Casein protein powder also comes from milk. But your body might take longer to use it than Whey protein. You can put it in your coffee if your body fits with it.
4. Collagen Protein
Collagen protein can mix well in both hot and cold drinks. So, it is good for coffee. It usually doesn’t have a flavor. That’s why it won’t change the taste of your coffee.
Type of Protein Powders with Key Ingredients for Protein Coffee
Have a look at the various types of protein powders for a better understanding. We are providing the protein coffee ingredients along with it.
- Whey Protein
Whey protein is a popular option for protein coffee. Use the following ingredients to make the Protein Coffee with Whey protein.
- 1 cup of coffee,
- 1 scoop of vanilla Whey protein,
- Sweetener if you like.
- Plant-Based Protein
If you want to avoid dairy based options, you can choose the plant-based protein. Ingredients to make protein coffee with it includes:
- 1 cup of coffee,
- 1 scoop of chocolate Plant protein,
- A splash of almond milk.
- Casein Protein
Casein protein is great if you are using the unflavored one. Casein protein coffee ingredients are:
- 1 cup of coffee,
- 1 scoop of unflavored Casein protein,
- 1 spoon of honey,
- A bit of cinnamon.
- Collagen Protein
Collagen protein is another popular option for protein coffee. Use the following ingredients to make the Protein Coffee with it.
- 1 cup of coffee,
- 1 scoop of unflavored Collagen protein,
- 1 spoon of coconut oil.
These are just some simple ideas for coffee with protein powder. You can try different protein powder flavors and extras to find what you like best.
Difference Between Regular Coffee and Protein Powder Coffee
Protein powder coffee is way more different from a regular cup of coffee. It has different tastes and features. Before you taste this coffee, let’s go through some key differences.
- Ingredients
As you know regular coffee needs water and coffee beans as the basic components. But protein coffee needs any kind of protein powder with it.
- Nutrients
Regular coffee has antioxidants, a few essential nutrients, and caffeine. But you will get more protein, nutrients from protein coffee.
- Purpose
As you know regular coffee helps you feel more awake. It has very few calories. On the other hand, protein coffee adds protein to your diet. It can be a quick meal.
- Taste and Texture
Regular coffee has smooth texture. The taste differs in different kind of coffee. Protein coffee can give you the flavour of protein in your coffee. It has a thicker or creamier consistency.
- Cost
Usually coffee is not too expensive. But protein coffee is comparatively expensive.
5 Benefits of Coffee with Protein Powder
As many health concerns go with coffee with protein powder, it must be beneficial. So, what are the benefits of it? Actually, it has many benefits according to individuals’ body type and consumption habits. Here are some common benefits of protein coffee.
1. More Protein
Protein is really important for your body. It helps your muscles grow and makes you stronger. Protein coffee or Proffee can help you get more protein in your diet.
2. Easy and Quick Solution
Are you often too busy to have your breakfast? If you are, then protein coffee is a fast and easy solution. It will help you to get some good nutrients in the morning. It is like having your morning coffee and a protein shake all in one.
3. Keeps You Full
Protein can help you feel full for a longer time. So, coffee with protein powder might stop you from eating too much later in the day. You can feel a visible change in your diet and weight.
4. Helps After Workouts
If you drink protein coffee after you exercise, it can help your muscles recover and grow. Furthermore, you will not get exhausted by the exercise.
5. New Flavors
You can be introduced to new flavors by mixing protein powder into the coffee. On the other hand, if you use flavored protein powder, it can make your regular coffee taste different and exciting.
4 Harmful Sides of Protein Coffee
Protein coffee has some benefits that we have already discussed. Alongside it has some harmful impacts. Too much protein coffee will affect your body. Let’s briefly go through some harmful sides of protein coffee.
1. Too Much Protein
If you consume too much coffee with protein powder, it will increase protein in your body. Having more protein than your body needs can cause stomach problems like bloating and cramps. If you have a lot too much, it could be hard on your kidneys.
2. More Calories
Imagine you are trying to consume less calories. But different kinds of protein powder hold calories. So, many types of protein powder can make your coffee have a lot more calories. If you’re trying to eat fewer calories, this could be a problem.
3. Fake Ingredients
Some protein powders have artificial sweeteners, flavors, or other things added in. These might not be good for some people or might not fit with what you want in your diet. You can consult a health professional about whether the ingredients are good for your body or not.
4. Caffeine and Not Enough Water
Protein powder usually doesn’t make you dehydrated. But if you mix it with coffee, the caffeine might make you need more water. Moreover, you can experience other harmful effects of caffeine.
Who Should Consume Protein Coffee?
Anyone can consume protein coffee. But if we make some specifications, you will understand better what kind of body prefers protein coffee.
1. Active People and Athletes
If you do a lot of physical activities or play sports, you might need more protein. Likewise, Athletes need more protein for performing their physical activities. Protein coffee can give you this protein if you are active in physical activities or an Athlete. Moreover, it will provide some extra energy from the caffeine.
2. Busy Scheduled People
If you’re always in a hurry and have a busy schedule, it might be a random scenario that you miss your morning breakfast. As the first meal of the day, this is very important. When you are in a hurry in the morning, protein coffee can give you a fast breakfast. It is a good choice to get energy quickly.
3. Weight Watchers
If you’re trying to lose weight or stay at a healthy weight, protein coffee can help you feel full. This might stop you from wanting to eat snacks between meals.
4. Protein Boosters
If you’re not getting enough protein in your diet right now, it can be harmful to you. So, drinking coffee with protein powder can be an easy way to have a protein boost.
5. Vegetarians and Vegans
If you don’t eat meat or animal products, you can still drink protein coffee. In this case, you can choose protein powder made from peas or rice. This can help you get more of the protein you need.
Who Should Avoid Protein Coffee?
Have a look at who should avoid coffee with protein powder. If you are one of them, avoid protein coffee. Otherwise, you can consult a doctor for a proper diet.
1. People with Kidney Problems
If you have kidney issues, avoiding protein coffee will be a good decision. Having a lot of protein can make kidney issues worse.
2. People with Food Allergies or Problems Digesting Certain Foods
Some protein powders are made from things like milk or soy, which some people are allergic to or can’t digest well. If you have food allergies or problems digesting certain foods, pick a protein powder that won’t cause issues. You can simply avoid protein coffee too.
3. People Who Can’t Handle Caffeine
If caffeine makes you feel shaky, keeps you awake, or makes your heart beat too fast, you might want to stay away from coffee. As protein coffee has caffeine, you can avoid drinking it.
4. People Trying to Eat Fewer Calories
Protein powders can have a lot of calories. If you’re trying to eat fewer calories to lose weight, protein coffee might not be the best choice for you.
5. Pregnant or Nursing Moms
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to be careful with caffeine and protein. Too much protein coffee might not be safe. Always ask your doctor what’s okay for you to have.
Conclusion
To sum it up, coffee with protein powder can be a great drink for a lot of people. It gives you the boost from the coffee and the good stuff from the protein powder. But, it’s not a good choice for everyone. If you have problems with your kidneys or are allergic to certain things, you should avoid them.
If you’re thinking about changing what you eat or drink, always think about what your body needs and wants, and what makes you feel good. If you like the taste, protein coffee is a fun way to change your usual coffee or protein shake routine.
I am Mojoon, a certified and award-winning barista by choice, with 7 years of experience in the field. I have served and trained coffee shop baristas worldwide. I worked at Krispy Kreme for an extended period, and now I aim to help regular people brew coffee like me. I pursue this job with my passion for writing and also provide one-on-one coaching for newly minted baristas.