'I tried viral 'weight loss' coffee recipe – there's one thing I'd do differently'
If you're trying to shed a few pounds, simple and nutritious recipes are key. And for the caffeine lovers among us, there's some good news – your daily cuppa could actually aid in achieving your weight loss goals.
TikTok user Gen Coco recently gained online fame after sharing her "most requested" coffee recipe, which includes a single additional ingredient that aids in weight loss. By incorporating half a scoop of protein powder into her morning coffee, Gen managed to add an extra 13g of protein to her breakfast.
This not only kept her satiated throughout her weight loss journey but also facilitated muscle growth. Using this method, she successfully shed a whopping 50lbs (22.6kgs).
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I like to maintain an active lifestyle, so to aid in recovery I'm always on the lookout for innovative ways to incorporate more protein into my diet. Usually, I mix my protein powder with plant milk or water and endure the resulting mixture, or, when I can't stomach the grainy texture, I skip my protein shake altogether.
So, after witnessing the buzz around Gen's straightforward recipe, I decided to try it out myself. According to Gen, all you need to do is prepare your coffee as usual, then "add in your favourite protein powder", followed by "your favourite milk."
She only adds half a scoop of powder to her coffee "to keep it from getting grainy" or "overpowering the coffee flavour."
I wasn't sold on the idea that simply stirring protein powder into my drink would rid it of its notoriously unpleasant texture. So into the blender went an espresso shot, a heaped tablespoon of vanilla protein powder, and a liberal dash of oat milk.
I would recommend not skipping the blender as it gave the coffee a smooth texture with foam on top. The moment of truth had finally arrived, and it was time for the taste test.
The coffee was certainly less grainy than most protein shakes, likely due to Gen's advice to use less powder. It tasted good, too – even my flatmate, usually apprehensive about protein, endorsed the recipe after having a sip, declaring: "It’s not as bad as I thought it would be."
I was a little heavy-handed on the milk, which meant the drink was already a little cool when I finally drank it. Should I recreate this recipe, I would probably turn it into an iced coffee, allowing for a more indulgent experience like a healthier twist on a vanilla iced latte.
While I'm not ready to swap out my regular morning brew just yet, I wouldn't mind revisiting this coffee in the future. Having had it just once, I am also not personally able to comment on its effectiveness for aiding in weight loss, although it certainly helped me stave off hunger until my next meal.
Nonetheless, it's widely acknowledged that upping your protein can aid in shedding pounds and muscle building. Healthline notes: "High protein intake has been shown to significantly boost metabolism and increase the number of calories you burn."
One year-long study involving 130 overweight individuals on a calorie-restricted diet found that those on a high-protein regimen lost 53% more body fat than their normal-protein counterparts, despite consuming equal calories.
Even a slight protein increase can assist with keeping weight off. In one particular study, boosting protein from 15% to 18% of total calorie intake halved the amount of weight regained.
The advantages of a protein-rich diet extend further, potentially curbing appetite and hunger, as well as reducing cravings and the urge to snack late at night.