My Bulletproof Coffee Recipe

Have you guys heard of bulletproof coffee? It’s been around as a new-ish wellness trend for the past couple of years or so, but for some reason I’m just now hopping on the bandwagon. I have to admit I was a little skeptical at first (adding fat to your coffee?!) but decided to jump in and give it a try after experiencing one too many days of the caffeine shakes and afternoon crash.

I am really particular about how I drink my coffee and would rather not have it at all than have a bad cup (#coffeesnob) so for me to switch up my routine is sort of a big deal. For years I’ve been either drinking coffee black with a couple of drops of stevia or adding just a hint of nut milk…super simple over here! But, the more in tune with my body I’ve become over time, the more I was really starting to notice the negative affects that a cup of really strong, black coffee has on me, namely increased anxiety and a caffeine crash a few hours after I drink my morning cup.

Bulletproof has totally changed how coffee makes me feel for the better and I really wanted to share this recipe with you guys because it’s taken me a while to perfect it. If you’d like to learn more about bulletproof and it’s philosophy, I would highly recommend reading more on the Bulletproof Website, but the premise behind the concept is that when you add fat to your coffee, you have increased mental function, gain a huge boost of energy, stimulate your metabolism and decrease your appetite. I’ve noticed such a huge difference in how I feel both mentally and physically that I feel the need to share!

My Bulletproof Coffee Recipe

1 cup hot coffee (I use a french press to make mine)
1/2 cup nut milk of choice (I love homemade almond or cashew milk)
1 scoop collagen peptides
1 tsp. vanilla bean ghee
1 tsp. brain octane
1 tsp. coconut sugar
*bonus: superfoods of choice
(I love to add pine pollen, ashwagandha, mucuna, and rhodiola!)

Let’s break down each of these ingredients, shall we?

Coffee: I think this is pretty self-explanatory but coffee does actually contain quite a high concentration of antioxidants and, if consumed in moderation, has been proven to improve workout performance, reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimers, and depression. Of course, coffee has it’s detrimental effects as well. For me, coffee often makes me feel more anxious, is dehydrating, and negatively affects my sleep if I have too much of it or have it too late in the day.

Nut Milk: There are so many benefits to consuming nut-based products, but my favorite is that nuts contain good fats which are super beneficial for your neurosystem (i.e. brain health), and heart health when consumed in moderation. They key, however, when using nut milk is to either make your own at home (my recipe for cashew milk is here) or be super careful when purchasing it at the grocery store. Most nut milks contain tons of fillers, gums, and ingredients that help to extend the shelf life but can be harmful on long-term health. Be careful to watch out for ingredients such as carrageenan, soy or sunflower lecithin, “natural flavors”, and added sugars.

Collagen Peptides: Collagen is super trendy supplement right now, but based on what I’ve read, it is one that I can absolutely stand behind and try to consume on a daily basis either in my coffee or in a smoothie (or sometimes both). If you’re curious for a more in-depth look into benefits of collagen, I would recommend reading this post, but the cliffnotes version is that collagen helps to prevent bone loss, improve your hair skin and nails, and decrease joint pain and inflammation.

Ghee: Another ingredient that is very much having a moment right now is ghee, which is essentially clarified butter that is free of lactose, the ingredient found in milk that many people have difficulties digesting. Ghee has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years and is rich in medium chain fatty acids that, when ingested, help to give sustained energy throughout your day. Ghee is also rich in vitamins A and E which is a bonus!

Brain Octane: A purified form of MCT (medium chain triglycerides) extracted from coconut oil, brain octane is the “key” ingredient in bulletproof coffee because it increases ketones in your body which help to burn fat and fuel your brain. I recommend starting with just 1 tsp. of MCT oil to start and then gradually working your way up, but even with 1 tsp. I’ve seen a huge difference in having sustained energy throughout my day and less of a caffeine crash!

Coconut Sugar: One of the lowest glycemic index sweeteners that exists, coconut sugar is derived from the coconut palm syrup and has the most incredible flavor. It’s virtually the only sugar I use these days (in baking, coffee, etc!) and is high in some of my favorite minerals like Zinc, Iron, Calcium and Potassium. win, win!

Have you tried bulletproof coffee? How do you make yours? Please share!