Does Coffee Have Protein?

Main image courtesy of Majesty Coffee.

If you’re like a lot of folks out there, chances are you enjoy a cup of coffee once in a while. Or perhaps you’re one of those people who need to have coffee each morning to get a little extra jump from the caffeine to get you going. Wherever you fall on the coffee spectrum, it’s safe to say that a lot of other people around the world agree with you. Coffee is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the world, and Americans alone drink around 400 million cups each day. 

No matter if you prefer your coffee black, with cream & sugar, or with flavored syrups, it’s safe to say that the coffee beans have a taste, aroma, and just the right amount of caffeine to keep them a popular go-to for millions of people. While you know coffee can give you a little bit of energy with its caffeine, did you ever consider whether or not it has anything nutritional to offer?

If you’d like to learn more about that keep reading, because today we’re covering:

• Does coffee have protein?
• How to increase the amount of protein in your coffee
• Protein coffees you need to try right away

Is coffee a good source of protein?

How protein rich is coffee?

If you’re looking for protein rich drinks, you may want to focus on other drinks besides coffee. Coffee is not known for its protein content—it is derived from roasted coffee beans, and an 8 oz cup of black coffee only contains around 0.3 grams of naturally occurring protein. These proteins (and the amino acids that make them up) account for around 10-13% of coffee’s dry material. And when they’re roasted, ground, and filtered through a coffee filter, or an appliance like a French press, you aren’t left with much protein. 

But most people aren’t drinking coffee because of its protein content! There are plenty of other ways to increase the amount of protein you consume such as: 

• Changing what you’re having for breakfast. If you want to add more protein to the start of your day, consider changing what you’re eating for breakfast! Instead of regular cereal that isn’t high in protein at all, consider picking up high protein cereals that are designed to keep you fuller for longer. You could also include eggs and cheese to start your day with more protein.

• Add more plant protein to your day. Plants such as legumes (including lentils and beans) are often overlooked, but they contain a lot of protein! They also tend to be high in fiber, which is another way to keep those hunger pangs at bay throughout the day. Lentils are easy to add to salads or soups, and can easily be eaten on their own. The same goes for beans, and you can expect to get anywhere from 6-15 grams of protein out of a half cup of cooked beans.

• Include easy to use proteins. Sometimes there’s no time to plan ahead when you have a busy schedule, but you still want to include more protein in your day. Consider getting shelf stable forms of convenient protein such as packets of nuts like almonds or pistachios, string cheese, high protein bars, or packets of peanut butter. You can keep these items in your bag or at your desk so they’re easily within reach when you get hungry. 

Why would you want more protein in your diet?

Coffee has a minimal amount of naturally occurring protein. But you may find yourself asking, why would you want more protein in your diet in the first place? There are a few good reasons for increasing the amount of protein you consume at each meal.

• Helps you lose weight. One of the major benefits of adding more protein to your routine is that it can help you lose weight, and maintain a healthy weight. Eating more protein will ensure you’re staying fuller for longer periods of time, so you’re not tempted to snack on unhealthy foods. It is digested more slowly than carbs or fat, which means you will need to consume less calories overall in order to feel satiated. There’s nothing worse than feeling hungry shortly after you eat, especially if you’re trying to end your day on a calorie deficit. Protein can help you reduce cravings and reduce your appetite.

• Builds muscle. In order to stay healthy, you have to make sure you’re exercising and strengthening your muscles. Protein is the building block of your muscles, and if you’re trying to increase them, you’re going to need to consume the right amount of protein. Protein can help your muscles grow, but it can also help them repair themselves after resistance training. And if you’re trying to lose weight, adding more protein will help prevent muscle loss. 

• Helps increase your metabolism. Protein is the most thermogenic macro compared to fat and carbs. This means that it burns more calories to digest protein than the other two. You can increase your resting metabolism when you add more protein to your meals, which will help you burn more calories throughout the day.

• Can build stronger bones. In order to keep your bones healthy, just like your muscles, it will require adequate amounts of protein. Protein nourishes your bones, and prevents them from becoming brittle as you age. The combination of protein and consistent resistance training is a great way to ensure you’re doing all you can to avoid diseases like osteoporosis. 

• Reduce high blood pressure. Did you know that more protein can also help you lower high blood pressure? Consider adding more protein to your daily intake and you could reduce your chances of developing hypertension, heart disease, and lower your cholesterol as well.

How can you add more protein to coffee?

What’s the best way to add more protein to your coffee?

Now that you’re aware of all the benefits of including more protein in your day, you probably want to add some protein to your daily coffee. We’re here to tell you it’s super easy to do so, and there are a couple of different ways to do it. 

Add milk

If you’re one of the many people who like milk in their coffee, you’re already increasing the amount of protein you consume in your daily cup of joe. Include a splash (or a little more!) of skim milk or soy milk to your black coffee and you’ll be getting all the benefits of more protein along with the delicious taste of coffee and the caffeine. Make sure to avoid store bought flavored creamers, as they tend to contain a large amount of sugar in addition to any protein. 

Add protein powder

Another great way to add more protein to coffee is to put in a scoop of your favorite protein powder. If you want to add powder to the hot coffee, we recommend mixing the powder with a little bit of water first, then add your hot coffee. This should help you avoid any lumps or clumping. You can also just scoop the protein powder into your iced coffee and stir to combine.

Alternatively, if you have a protein shake that’s already a liquid, feel free to add that into your hot coffee like you would milk and just stir to combine.

Top protein coffee to try

Why mix protein into your coffee when you can have it already combined?

If you want a coffee that already has the protein mixed in, why not pick up WonderSlim’s Instant Protein Coffee? Made with 100% Arabica coffee, all you have to do is add hot or cold water to the contents of each individual packet, and then stir and enjoy! This coffee contains 12 grams of protein, 70 calories, 1 gram of sugar or less, and just 3 carbs per serving. It’s perfect first thing in the morning to get your day started right, or as an afternoon pick me up, offering stable energy so you can get through the rest of your day. This coffee also contains hydrolyzed collagen to help strengthen your hair, skin, and nails!

Another great way to get additional protein in your coffee is with WonderSlim’s Instant Keto Coffee. This keto-friendly coffee just requires you to add hot or cold water, then stir and enjoy your new favorite 100% Arabica coffee with Stevia. With only 40 calories, 4 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of carbs, you can enjoy this drink anytime of day. You’ll love the taste as well as the included C8 MCT oil for sustained energy and hydrolyzed collagen to promote hair, skin, and nail health. 

That’s how you add protein to coffee!  

If you’ve been thinking of adding protein to coffee, go for it and enjoy the benefits of more protein in your diet. You can always pick up coffee that has the protein already added for a more convenient option.