Coffee Power
Get a powerful punch of nutrition in one cup!
My morning coffee has always been more than a need for roasted beans with a caffeine kick. From all aspects of my nutritional life from being generally healthy to Keto/Atkins and attempting to build muscle, I have always used the opportunity to infuse as much power into my java as possible. Some people (like my wife) do not like anyone messing with their morning coffee. No flavors or other sweeteners other than sugar. Totally understandable and there are other ways to add nutrition to the rest of your day.
HONEY DO
If you do nothing else and you like to sweeten you coffee, honey is a huge boost to your health. Not all honey is created equal so be careful and spend a little extra on an unfiltered, organic, honey that is minimally processed. Even honey with the comb in the jar has exceptional nutritional benefits to your blood and nervous system.
PROTEIN PLUS
Protein in your coffee? Yes! Especially if you are trying to stack protein to build muscle. The nutrition industry has found a way to do this in a coffee creamer which packs 10 grams of protein in 2 tablespoons. You could always use protein powder either unflavored or a vanilla or even chocolate powder. Be sure it is one that is easily mixed otherwise you will get lumpy coffee.
WE STRUCK OIL!
This is where it can get a little “slippery”. MCT oil for you Keto fans is worth a squirt or two with a good mix. MCT Oil (As the name suggests), medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) contains medium-length chains of fats called triglycerides. Due to their shorter length, MCTs are digested faster than longer-chain fatty acids found in many other foods. The consistency in your coffee literally looks like an oil spill. Not very appealing to look at. However, once you start drinking it you do not notice.
MCT oil could potentially help people consume fewer calories across the day.
MCT oil has about 10% fewer calories than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which are found in foods such as olive oil, nuts, and avocados (4Trusted Source, 5).
An analysis of 29 studies found an association between MCTs and lower calorie intake. People consuming MCTs had a moderately lower calorie intake when compared to people consuming LCTs (6Trusted Source).
Some studies suggest that MCT oil could promote the release of two hormones that help people feel full when eating: peptide YY and leptin. However, when the results of 29 studies were analyzed, researchers found no link between MCT and appetite-related hormones (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).
Even so, one study found that people taking 2 tablespoons of MCT oil as part of their breakfast ended up eating less food for lunch compared to those taking coconut oil (8).
The reason for this potential effect isn’t clear. Some people believe that MCT oil can help you feel fuller or reduce your appetite, which could lead to eating less. But across studies, there’s little evidence to suggest that taking MCTs reduces your appetite.
PRETTY IN PINK
Just a dash of Himalayan Pink Salt.
Salt has had it’s bad days of being ridiculed and bashed for raising blood pressure and blamed for the reason you are retaining water. But the benfits of just a dash will surprise you.
Himalayan salt is a pink-hued variety of salt that is sourced near the Himalayan Mountains of South Asia. These days, it’s everywhere. Not only can you find it in grocery and specialty food stores, but its charming color has also made it a literal fixture in home goods like table lamps.
Himalayan salt is mined in the Punjab region of Pakistan, near the Himalayan foothills. The origins of the mineral date back hundreds of millions of years, when the salt was deposited in a prehistoric lagoon. Until recently the Himalayan salt market was fairly small. Now, due to its popularity, exports have grown to 400,000 tons of salt each year.
As a mineral, Himalayan salt has no:
- Calories
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbohydrates
- Fiber
- Sugar
The traces of other minerals in Himalayan salt are responsible for the mineral’s pink tint. These trace minerals are mainly:
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Sodium is an essential nutrient. Eating a healthy diet can help limit salt and reduce disease risks. All salts, including Himalayan salt, count toward healthy sodium limits.
Himalayan salt may be good for skin conditions like eczema, although this has not been proven and may also depend on where it’s sourced. Again, just a pinch in the bottom of your coffee cup is fine. Salt also balances the bitterness of coffee especially if you drink it really strong.
CINNAMON
The last sprinkle of health I include is Organic Cinnamon. While cinnamon certainly tastes delicious, there is much more to this spice than its flavor. Cinnamon has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It’s an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals and other nutrients that are vital for your health. These include manganese, calcium, iron, vitamin K and fiber, zinc, dietary fiber, omega 3 fatty acids; among other important nutrients. And it only has 19 calories per serving and has zero fats and sugars. Because it is so nutrient-rich, adding cinnamon to your diet won’t only make your food taste better, but it will also allow you to reap a tremendous amount of health benefits.
Cinnamon is loaded with several different types of antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for your health, as they reduce the effects caused by free radical damage and slow the process of aging.
As a matter of fact, researchers have found that cinnamon contains an astonishing 41 protective compounds in cinnamon — and they are confident that it contains even more!
Cinnamon is one of the top sources of antioxidants. By consuming this spice, you can reduce and repair damage to cells, tissues and muscles.
DRINK UP
Ok. I threw a lot of stuff at you and a lot to put in your coffee. However, it becomes rotuine and you really don’t have to put much thought into it as you are strirring all the nutrient rich powders in your first cup of the day. If I have another cup later on I reduce it to just cinnamon and the protein creamer with a cube of Sugar in The Raw. Enjoy your healthful cup of coffee!
