Is Coffee Keto? (And Should You Be Drinking it on This Diet)

Without a doubt, coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, clocking in behind only water and tea. Lots of people all over like to start their day with a favorite cup of joe, whether it’s black coffee from a French press, a concentrated form from an espresso machine, a vanilla latte, or even a delicious cappuccino, coffee is a great way to help you wake up in the morning. Although most folks like to enjoy the little hit of caffeine first thing before they start their day, there are plenty of other people who enjoy coffee in the afternoon, and even after dinner. It seems like you not only have options when it comes to the type of coffee you want, but you can also enjoy it any time of day!

If you’re someone who’s already on the keto diet, or are thinking about doing it, and you’re a coffee drinker, chances are you want to know whether you can continue to drink coffee on keto. Glad you asked, because today we’re covering:

• Is coffee okay if you’re on keto?
• What are some of the other benefits of drinking coffee?
• Is there anything you can add to coffee that’s still keto?
• Keto-friendly coffee you need to try

Is coffee keto?

Can you continue to drink coffee on the keto diet?

If you’ve decided to start the keto diet, that’s great news. Many people have found success on this diet, which limits the amount of carbs you can consume throughout the day. This causes your body to go into ketosis if it’s kept up over time, and you start to burn fat instead of glucose— which is where your body typically gets its energy from. You will begin to lose weight over time and the high chance of success is one of the major reasons why this diet is so popular. However, it is one of the most difficult diets out there to stick with, as curtailing your carbs can be hard to do for a lot of people.

The strictest version of this diet requires you to make your diet center around the three macronutrients, fats/protein/carbs in ratios of 70/25/5. This means a large portion of your diet will be made up of foods high in fat and protein, but very low in carbs. However there are other versions of the keto diet that loosen up those percentages, and offer people a chance to include a broader range of fruits and vegetables into their diet. These ratios are typically around 50/30/20 for fats/protein/carbs.

Regardless of the type of keto diet you’re on, chances are you’re going to have to make some adjustments not only to what you eat, but to what you drink as well. Water is the number one drink of choice for those on the keto diet, because staying hydrated is essential for anyone on this plan. When you’re restricting the types of food you consume, it’s easy to find that your hydration status and electrolyte amounts may shift. Drinking lots of water can help you retain this balance and ensure your body has what it needs.

Water is great, but what about your morning cup of coffee? Not to worry, coffee is keto and you can continue to drink it while you’re on this diet. Black coffee made with a drip filter, French, press, pour over, or any other way is definitely keto and has no calories or carbs. However, it’s important to be aware that what you’re adding to your coffee is also keto-friendly.

What can you put in your coffee while on keto?

If you don’t like drinking your coffee black, not to worry, you definitely have options about what you can add to your daily beverage. But first, we should discuss those additions you should avoid so that you don’t break your diet goals. In order to keep your coffee keto, it’s helpful to avoid:

• Regular dairy milk
• Sugar
• Sweetened creamers
• Honey
• Flavored syrups

All of these options are higher in carbs and sugar, which is what you’re trying to eliminate from your diet.

Alternatively, there are other options to add to coffee that are keto-friendly!

• Stevia. This is a sugar substitute that is readily found in grocery stores and made from plants. Stevia is sweeter than regular sugar, so chances are you won’t need as much in your coffee!

• Heavy cream. Ditch the dairy milk and opt instead for the higher fat content of heavy cream. Not only will you love the creamy texture it brings to your coffee, but it won’t upset your keto diet. 

• Plant-based milks. You can also add almond milk or light coconut milk to your coffee, but make sure you’re reading the labels to ensure they are okay to consume on a keto diet.

• Butter, coconut oil, MCT oil. If you’re looking for something sweet that also has a good amount of fat, you could always add a little bit of butter to your coffee to balance out the bitterness. Coconut oil and MCT oil are also good options, as coconut oil will give you the fat content (as well as the coconut taste), and MCT oil will add fat without the carbs, and may even give you a little more clarity and mental focus.

• Other specialized sweeteners made for keto diets. There are lots of other brands out there that have made specialized keto products specifically so you can add them to your daily brew. You can find a variety of products to try at grocery stores or online. 

Does coffee break ketosis?

No, coffee does not break ketosis, which is why it’s so popular among those who are on the keto diet. Ketosis is the process that occurs in your body when it starts to use fat for energy, as opposed to carbs (glucose). Breaking down the fat releases ketones, which then are the main source of energy for your body. When you’re on the keto diet, you want to keep your body in a constant state of ketosis if your goal is to lose weight.  

You can continue to enjoy your coffee black, or with some of the additions we mentioned above. 

What are some other benefits of drinking coffee?

As well as being keto-friendly, drinking coffee regularly (without the added sugar or syrups) has some pretty nice benefits. The least of which is getting a little boost of caffeine in the morning to help you get on your way! Just make sure you’re limiting the amount of coffee to a few 8 ounce cups a day, or drinking decaf.

• Has antioxidants your body needs. Coffee beans are high in antioxidants that can help prevent damage to your body’s cells.

• May help lower your risk of disease. There are numerous studies that point to regular coffee drinking and having a lower risk of obesity, dementia, diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease.

• Can help with your work out. The caffeine in coffee may even help you get in a more intense workout by improving endurance, circulation, and reducing pain.

• Could give your mental health a boost. Studies have shown that people who enjoy a moderate amount of coffee and caffeine each day are less likely to develop depression symptoms. 

Convenient keto coffee you need to try

Why not make it even easier to have your coffee?

If you’re looking for an easy way to enjoy keto coffee, then you should definitely pick up WonderSlim’s Instant Keto Coffee. Made with 100% Arabica coffee and Stevia leaf extract, this instant brew contains only 40 calories, 0 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of carbs per serving. Additionally, each convenient packet also has C8 MCT oil to help boost your energy levels, and give you more focus, while the hydrolyzed collagen will assist with hair, skin, and joint health. Just add hot or cold water to the contents of the package and stir. You can enjoy this tasty beverage anytime!

Another great keto-friendly coffee option is WonderSlim’s Instant Protein Coffee, which includes 12 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar or less, and just 3 grams of carbs in each serving. Made with 100% Arabica coffee, you’ll love the convenience of this beverage, its satisfying taste, and the welcome addition of hydrolyzed collagen to help with your hair, skin, and joints. It also comes in two yummy flavors—original and original with cream!

Enjoy your coffee while on keto!

Keep your coffee keto-friendly and enjoy all the added benefits this savory drink offers.