The first time I heard the word “proffee”, I gagged. A contraction of protein coffee, the term swept the wellness world when it first emerged. What did it mean, I thought? Were protein-obsessives now piling dollops of Greek yoghurt on top of their cold brew? Or swirling egg whites into their flat white? Thankfully neither, it turned out. A protein coffee simply involves mixing a scoop of a suitable protein powder into your morning drink.
Current recommendations are for adults to eat anywhere between 0.8 grams and 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, depending on age and activity level and most people severely underestimate how much they are actually consuming. A more sedentary person should be aiming for between 0.8 grams and 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram, while someone who’s very active could flex this number up from 1.5 grams to 1.7 grams.
Having recently started tracking my protein and fibre intake again, I was shocked to discover how much I was under-target on both. For example, two eggs at breakfast (while full of lots of brilliant micronutrients) only gets you 14 grams of protein. Since incorporating protein coffee into my morning, I easily hit 33 grams before leaving the house – well on my way to my daily goal of 95 grams overall.
How to make protein coffee
Most people recommend mixing protein powder into milk for better texture and taste. You can simply grab a scoop of protein powder and mix it into the milk as it’s heating. Then, when it’s warm, froth the combination up into a velvet-smooth flat white, along with an espresso shot (or two).
Because I prefer iced coffee, I like to pop my milk (hazelnut, if you please) into my blender with three scoops of protein powder. When it’s suitably frothy, I pour it over two shots of decaf espresso and two large ice cubes. The protein powder gives the milk a richer, more dairy-like taste, like an old-fashioned vanilla milkshake. Because the powder I use doesn’t rely on artificial sweeteners or flavours, it’s not overly sweet or sickly. It’s more like a generous helping of frothy cream.
What are the benefits of protein coffee?
Eating enough protein is linked to better metabolism and immune function, preservation of muscle mass, mood stabilisation and improved satiety between meals. Essentially, it helps with keeping you fuller for longer, reducing cravings and improving recovery between workouts. Drinking a protein coffee first thing can help you hit your protein goal without going to the effort of preparing a protein-rich meal.
That being said, while it is convenient, protein powder is not something nutritionists and registered dieticians advise relying on. Experts recommend prioritising whole food protein sources like eggs, lean meats, fish, tofu and legumes, over ultra-processed alternatives like protein powder. In a pinch (or when you’re struggling to hit your number), though, a protein coffee can help you to bump your overall protein intake up.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: vogue.in
