ShareDo you love coffee?
Of course you do! Everyone loves coffee. And I’m a shameless addict 
A huge trend going on right now is Bullet Proof Coffee (BPC). If you don’t know what it is, BPC is actually a recipe designed to replace your breakfast.
Here’s how it works, add:
- 2 cups of coffee
- 2 tablespoons of grass-fed, unsalted butter
- 1-2 tablespoons of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) Oil
- All mixed in a blender until it looks like a latte
Now this isn’t just any coffee.
It claims to be loaded with super healthy, energy loaded ingredients that support fat loss. Think “supercharged” coffee. Or UpgradedTM coffee to be exact.
Yep, they even trademarked it.
So I decided to look into this BPC trend after I received a disturbing email from a loyal subscriber, Brett, who GAINED weight within a week of trying it.
Ruh Roh. <= thanks for rubbing it in Scooby Doo
So I tried it myself, because I strongly believe you can’t judge anything in life without trying it first.
And the verdict…
I’m not a fan.
Before I get to my reason why, let’s be clear…
Coffee is awesome.
Butter is awesome.
And boy, who doesn’t love saturated fats?
“Then KV what’s your problem, yo?”
Aside from the fact you’re committing the ultimate crime against coffee…
#1 Reason Why I DON’T Do Bullet Proof coffee:
You’re missing out on a LOT of Essential Nutrients
You see, I’m not surprised it “works”…
Eating large amount of fat will kill your appetite for hours, especially if you’re “ketoadapted” and used to eating a low carb, high fat diet.
This can provide plenty of energy by elevating ketone levels in your blood, which provides fuel for your brain. That’s why people report feeling greater mental alertness using BPC.
Let’s assume you eat 3 meals a day, which is pretty common.
By drinking bulletproof coffee, you are essentially replacing 1 of 3 meals with a something that is low in essential nutrients.
Yes, grass fed butter does contain fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A and K2), CLA and butyrate. All good stuff.
But MCT Oil is essentially 100% empty calories. It’s refined and processed with no nutrients – plus it’s about as far from “Paleo” as a food can get. Paleo is based on nutrient density – and that’s why animal meats were a favorite for them.
And worst of all… You’re getting NO protein or greens.
So while BPC does contain some nutrients, it’s nothing compared to what you’d get from a nutritious breakfast.
Let’s do a quick breakfast comparison “KV vs BPC” using my new favorite app, Cronometer…
Right now, my fave breaky is 2 whole organic eggs (boiled), 1 Ezekiel wrap + 2 cups of spinach (sautéed in organic vegetable broth), plus a black Renegade Roast coffee:
- 31 grams protein - 14 grams fiber Plus… - Over 100% of the RDA for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Folate, Magnesium, and Manganese. - Over 15% of the RDA for every nutrient except Selenium, Vitamin B12, Now let’s take a look at bulletproof coffee – 2 cups of coffee, 2 tablespoons of MCT oil, 2 tablespoons of butter:
- 1 gram of protein - 0 grams of fiber
Not to mention… - Under 10% of the RDA for every nutrient except Vitamin A, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B5 (which range from 22-28% of the RDA). While I don’t believe in counting calories – you can’t ignore the fact one gram of fat contains 9 kcal of energy vs protein and carbs which each contain approx 4 kcal. It’s more than double. (Math genius right here!) Here’s the thing… What’s wrong with just simple freshly brewed organic coffee? Nothing. So don’t mess with it. Every morning, I enjoy a cup of French-pressed Renegade Roast Coffee that my good friend and fellow coffee lover Jay Ferruggia founded. The light roast is totally delish. In fact, it’s freakin’ amazing! Coffee has a number of benefits like: - Plain, black coffee can potentially help enhance the process of liberating fatty acids before a workout through naturally occurring caffeine. - It’s been shown to increase focus and even assist in the process of fat-burning during exercise. - A few published studies also indicate caffeine can increase the absorption of post workout carbohydrates (via nutrient partitioning). That’s why I start my day with a black coffee, and make sure I get a “fix” before my workout. Personally, putting butter in coffee is blasphemy. Grass fed or not. Bullet Proof Coffee may work for some people, but be a complete disaster for others. If it works for you – awesomeness. But if it’s clearly NOT, and your blood markers are going up or you’re gaining weight, please stop. OK, I’m stepping off my soapbox now. Rant over. Enjoy your day! Kate “don’t mess with my coffee” Vidulich PS. If you’re a coffee fan, I highly recommend you try Renegade Roast. The Light Roast is hands down one of the best tasting blends I’ve ever tried – and I’m very particular about my coffee… as you know!
The Bottom Line:
One Reply
The problem is grains! You recommend Ezekiel bread. Cut out all grains and BPC is a miracle food, tantamount to fasting. Cut the grains and kiss inflammation, insulin resistance, high blood sugar, acid reflux, and a hundred other health problems goodbye. Google Wheat Belly and begin reversing the aging process. I’m 67 and within one week of cutting all grains, refined sugar, and most dairy, all joint pain was gone, carb cravings gone, appetite down 75%. I’ve lost 32 lbs in 5 months. The only way BPC leads to weight gain and blood problems is continuing to eat wheat (#1) or any grains.