Bulletproof coffee or BPC is an integral part of many a ketoers morning routine. But what is it? Basically, the term has come to mean coffee that contains butter and coconut oil (or MCT oil). Other names include butter coffee or keto coffee. I was hesitant to try it for a long time because let’s face it, it sounds freaking gross. But when I was struggling to get enough good fats in without going over on protein, I finally caved and decided it was time to give it a go.
Before we get Into the hows and whys, I have to give credit to the man behind the name, Dave Asprey. He is the creator of the Bulletproof brand, and a successful entrepreneur. Here is a link telling you a bit about him. Check out his site, it’s got some great information and products.
The Main Players.
Any keto coffee includes butter and a form of MCT oil. MCT is short for medium chain triglyceride. There are 3 different lengths of chains in fatty acids, short, medium, and long but MCT’s are one of the fastest and cleanest sources of fuel for the brain and body. They are absorbed directly by the GI tract and do not need any pancreatic enzymes to break them down. They are then transported through the bloodstream directly to the liver where they are immediately oxidised for energy. Because MCT’s are so efficiently utilized by your body, they have been found to increase metabolism and thermogenesis. This is where the boost comes from in your keto coffee, besides the caffeine of course.
There are a lot of brands of MCT oil on the market, and most of them are equitable. I make sure mine is sustainably sourced, organic, and doesn’t have any fillers or excess crap in them. You can also use coconut oil, which is the main source for MCT’s. Coconut oil is widely available in stores, so it’s very easy to find. Some higher end grocery stores carry MCT oil as well, but I’ve found the best deals on Amazon. I personally do not like even the slight flavor of coconut or the texture of coconut oil in my coffee, so I just stick with the MCT oil.
The second main ingredient is butter. It’s important to use grass-fed butter for a number of reasons. Grass fed butter contains high levels of butyric acid which has been shown to decrease inflammation. It also is a great source of vitamins A, K, E, and D, along with both short and medium chain triglycerides. Arachidonic Acid is another important component of grass-fed butter which plays an essential role in immune system function. The top two brands most ketoers swear by are Kerrygold and Finlandia. I have tried both and prefer Kerrygold, but both are equally popular. A lot of people also choose to use unsalted butter in their keto coffee, I use salted, it’s just a matter of preference.
After the power couple of butter and MCT oil, the rest of the equation can really be as simple or as complicated as you like. I use heavy whipping cream (HWC), Ceylon cinnamon, and cinnamon liquid stevia drops in my keto coffee and I’ll tell you right now, it’s ridiculously better than any latte-frappe-frothy-chino overpriced shit I’ve ever gotten from a coffee shop. It fills me up for hours, gives me an amazing boost of energy, and clears the brain fog that has haunted me since my youngest decided at conception that he was boycotting sleep.
Below is a little video showing how I make my keto coffee. Don’t be jealous of my amazing film skills, I know they are a force to be reckoned with. I kid, of course. In my defense, I had a toddler to keep busy while filming.
Hopefully, I can get a better quality video up soon, soon as time and toddler permits that is. But you get the gist. Just to recap the ingredients:
- I tbsp MCT oil
- I tbsp HWC
- About a half dropper of liquid stevia (omit if you don’t use any sweetener)
- 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tbsp Kerrygold salted butter
- Brewed coffee (any flavor)
Blend for about 10-15 seconds, swish the last bit around to pick up any cinnamon that may have settled. Pour in a cup and enjoy. It’s easy and is a great start to your day. The nutritional facts are listed below.
Calories 300
Fat 32g
Carbs 2g
Protein 0g
Have you made this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Thanks for visiting.
~nicole
Sources:
http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com/2013/09/19/fats-explained-short-medium-and-long-chain-fats/
https://draxe.com/grass-fed-butter-nutrition/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2874191/
https://www.ecowatch.com/the-science-behind-the-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil-1891141788.html