Protein coffee is TikTok’s newest food trend - but what are the benefits?
From whipped hot chocolate to an iced coffee hack, TikTok sure loves a food trend - and the social media platform's latest fixation is protein coffee.
The abbreviated hashtag "proffee" has over 46.2 million views on the platform, and sees users adding protein powder to their morning coffee for a high protein start to their day.
One user, Jaz McLellan, shared a video making iced protein coffee which has been viewed over 259,000 times.
She called the coffee "game changing" and another user commented on her video saying they were "obsessed" with it.
So, what is protein coffee?
"Protein coffee may be a good way to increase your protein intake at the start of the day," nutritionist and Green Chef’s head chef Anna Tebbs says.
She adds that the trend is particularly good for those who don’t often eat breakfast, or who struggle to eat a protein-rich breakfast.
"Simply pop in your protein powder of choice to your morning coffee and you’re good to go," Tebbs says.
"Protein coffee could also be the perfect combination as the natural stimulants in caffeine combined with protein can help to support concentration and mental alertness.
"If you’re opting for a protein coffee before a workout the combination of protein and caffeine will give you a much-needed energy boost and help you stay focused during your workout."
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However, Tebbs warns to be wary of any added sugars that the protein powder may have, which could "outweigh the benefits of the protein you’re adding and do more to harm your goals than good".
"Always do your research when it comes to your protein powder. Some variations are packed with fillers and additives," she advises.
How much protein should we consume?
According to the British Nutrition Foundation, adults should have 0.75g of protein per kg of their body weight per day.
So, for a woman who is 60kg, they should have 45g of protein a day, while a 75kg man should have 56g per day.
Tebbs says that some alternative high protein breakfast ideas can include greek yoghurt, porridge, or salmon and cream cheese roll ups.
“Greek yoghurt is a fridge essential for those on a low carb or keto diet who need to up their protein intake,” Tebbs explains. “Keep this staple to hand and pop in your morning smoothie alongside fruits and vegetables to increase the protein content. You could also add a tablespoon to your porridge which not only packs in the protein but provides a rich, creamy taste.”
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If you like porridge for breakfast, Tebbs recommends topping it with nuts and seeds, such as almonds, chia or pumpkin seeds to give an added source of protein.
“For a protein rich breakfast on the go try smoked salmon and cream cheese roll ups,” she continues. “Spread your favourite cream cheese on a piece of smoked salmon for a high-protein, low-carb breakfast. You can even add in carrot or cucumber for crunch and extra flavour.”
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