Protein coffee: The viral morning drink that actually keeps you full

With all the hype around protein gaining momentum in recent years, it’s little surprise the mighty macronutrient has made its way into our morning coffee routines.

Protein coffee, or ‘proffee’, is making the rounds on TikTok and Instagram, becoming everyone’s new favourite way to get both protein and caffeine in one hit.

Here’s what you need to know about the viral morning drink, including its potential benefits and how to make it at home.

What is protein coffee?

Protein coffee is exactly as the name suggests: a drink that combines a regular coffee with an added dose of protein. For some people, this might be their usual morning latte with a scoop of protein powder, while for others it could be a ready-to-drink protein shake with added coffee.

The idea behind protein coffee is that it delivers a caffeine boost to fuel your day, plus the benefits of protein, which many of us take for muscle repair and building, recovery, and to feel fuller for longer.

How much protein does a protein coffee have?

The average protein coffee contains anywhere from 15 to 35g of protein. But the actual protein content of a protein coffee can vary wildly depending on the way you consume it and whether you’re adding the protein yourself:

• Type of protein powder: The average scoop of protein powder contains around 15-30g of protein, but the content can differ between brands and blends
• Milk: Adding milk to your coffee boosts the protein content, with a 250ml cup of whole milk containing about 7.7g of protein
• Pre-made protein coffees: Ready-to-drink protein coffees can contain up to 45g of protein per bottle

The benefits of protein coffee

Protein coffee isn’t just a viral trend, but a convenient way to get many of the benefits of caffeine and protein in one go. Here’s why fitness enthusiasts are loving it:

• It supports muscle repair and building: Protein is an essential building block for your muscles. Increasing your consumption of it – especially if you consume it just after exercising for a post-workout boost – can support your muscles and help them repair and get stronger
• It can improve your workouts: Caffeine can improve blood flow to your muscles during workouts, allowing you to train harder and for longer
• It makes you feel fuller for longer: Protein increases satiety – the feeling of fullness – which can help you stay satisfied for longer and avoid the temptation to reach for unhealthy snacks
• It can improve cognitive function: Numerous studies have shown that even low doses of caffeine can improve alertness, vigilance, reaction times and attention [1]
• It has anti-inflammatory properties: Caffeine and inflammation have a slightly complex relationship, with some evidence suggesting that excess caffeine consumption can trigger inflammatory responses. However, some research indicates that it can act as an anti-inflammatory agent, possibly helping to prevent some chronic diseases and contributing to longevity [2][3]
• It delivers a more sustained energy release: While caffeine is a go-to for getting a quick energy boost, it can often wear off quickly, resulting in a mid-afternoon slump. But with added protein, that energy gets released more slowly, helping you to maintain steady energy levels
• It can boost your metabolism: Caffeine can have a stimulating effect on your metabolism, with research showing that consuming 100mg of caffeine (the amount in the average cup of coffee) can increase resting metabolic rate (the number of calories your body burns at rest) by 3-4%[4]
• It’s quick and easy: Let’s face it – every minute counts when you’re trying to run out the door. By combining coffee and protein into a single drink, you’re saving yourself a bit of extra time in an already busy morning routine
• It can support weight management: Thanks to the combined effects of increased satiety, muscle maintenance and metabolism support, protein coffee has the potential to assist with weight management, particularly when paired with a balanced diet and exercise. 

If you’re looking for additional weight management support, Juniper can help. The Juniper Program gives you on-demand access to a team of health experts – including dieticians, doctors and health coaches – who will guide you through your weight loss journey.

You also get access to a handy app to track your progress and breakthrough weight loss medication delivered to your door, giving you all the tools you need to lose weight and keep it off.

Types of protein coffee

One of the other benefits of protein coffee is that the drink is available in many different forms, giving you the option to find one that suits your lifestyle and taste preferences.

Pre-made protein coffee drinks

Ready-to-drink protein coffees are available in supermarkets, health food stores, gyms, cafes and online. 

They typically contain 30-45g of protein per bottle, can or carton, using either whey protein or a plant-based option like pea or soy.

Protein powder coffee

Many protein coffees come in powder form – a pre-made blend of instant coffee and protein powder that simply needs to be mixed with water. On average, they have around 20-25g of protein per serve.

These products might also include milk powder and sweeteners to make them easier to prepare, along with additional ingredients like chia seeds, maca powder, collagen and adaptogens to boost their nutritional profile.

Proffee (protein shake + espresso)

Proffee has become a popular term for homemade protein coffees, which typically mix a shot of espresso with your usual protein shake. Depending on the protein powder you’re using, a serving might contain 15-30g of protein.

The biggest advantage of a homemade proffee is that you can customise it yourself, adding any milk and flavours you like.

Collagen coffee

Collagen coffee falls into its own category of protein coffee, as it combines coffee with collagen peptides, which contain protein along with other potential benefits like improved skin elasticity and healthier hair and skin.

It can be made either by adding unflavoured collagen powder to your morning coffee or purchasing a pre-made blend of instant coffee and collagen peptides. You can generally get about 10g of protein per serve.

Ingredients to avoid in protein coffee

To ensure your protein coffee is as healthy and balanced as possible, there are a few things worth limiting or avoiding entirely. It’s also important to scan the label of your protein powder or pre-made protein coffee to check for unnecessary ingredients.

• Sugary protein powders: Consuming too much sugar can contribute to health issues, like an increased risk of weight gain. According to several health experts, you should aim for a low-sugar protein powder with less than 5g of sugar per serving [5]
• Additional sugar in your coffee: Many protein powders are already sweetened, so adding extra sugar to your coffee will only increase the calorie count
• Flavoured syrups: Most flavoured syrups are high in sugar, too

• Artificial sweeteners: Sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame can cause mild digestive upset, and research has shown that over time, they can also increase inflammation and disrupt gut health [6]
• Added stimulants: Some protein powders have ingredients like guarana, green tea extract and even caffeine added to deliver an energy boost. Combining these with additional caffeine from your coffee may overstimulate your system and cause jitters or anxiety
• Hard-to-digest ingredients: Sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol, along with other additives such as thickeners and gums, can cause bloating, gas, cramping and general tummy discomfort

Can you mix protein powder with your regular coffee?

You absolutely can mix your usual protein powder with your morning coffee – but there are a few tricks to doing so to avoid your drink becoming lumpy.

• Go slow: Protein powders tend to clump when added to hot liquids, as the heat causes proteins to coagulate. To avoid a lumpy coffee, add your protein powder slowly and whisk as you go
• Mix cold ingredients first: Alternatively, make a paste with a small amount of cold water to smooth out your protein powder before adding to your coffee, or blend the milk and protein powder before adding a shot of espresso
• Blend it: Using an immersion or portable blender, or even a milk frother, can help rid your coffee of any lumps. Just be careful with hot liquids, as blenders can build up pressure if the steam can’t escape
• Try a protein iced coffee: Cold liquids are much less likely to clump, so adding protein powder to an iced coffee or cold brew may be more successful
• Choose your powder wisely: Whey protein tends to mix better with coffee because it dissolves much more evenly. Plant-based powders, on the other hand, are often grittier and can make coffee chalky. Premium whey protein isolate is an especially good option, as it's ultra-filtered and incredibly smooth, making it easy to blend with coffee
• Match your flavour: If you like the strong taste of coffee, go for an unflavoured protein powder. Otherwise, caramel, chocolate and vanilla protein powder tend to work best

An easy protein coffee recipe to make at home

Making protein coffee at home is incredibly easy. If you want to go the simplest route, a pre-made protein coffee drink or powder is your best bet – you either drink it straight from the bottle or add water to have a quick drink.

But if you prefer to make your own, here's an easy and tasty protein coffee recipe:

• Brew your coffee: 1-2 shots of espresso or ¼ cup of brewed coffee works best
• Mix in your protein powder: Add a scoop of protein powder (30g) to ¼ cup of cold milk
• Add the two: Combine the milk and coffee, adding extras like ice cubes, sugar-free syrups or other flavourings

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