3-Ingredient Protein Coffee Is The Morning Treat You Need To Try

Life is busy, and making sure you're getting all the nutrients your body needs can be challenging. However, coffee has powers we're only beginning to understand, and one of them is that it pairs deliciously with protein. The average sedentary adult needs about 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, and an active person needs even more. Tackle some of that protein requirement early in the day by mixing protein, coffee, and your preferred milk to create a delicious cafe-worthy beverage.

You can use either protein powder or a ready-to-drink protein beverage, keeping in mind that the former will need some extra mixing. One benefit of using powder is that there may be more options available, like a wide variety of flavors, plant-based choices, and various protein sources (like whey, casein, or egg white). You can also use a collagen protein powder to get more collagen in your diet, too. The benefit of a premade protein shake is that you might be able to just use it in place of the milk.

Use your favorite coffee — whether it comes from a Keurig, French press, or trusty old Mr. Coffee — and mix in milk or creamer plus the protein additive. For cold coffee, give everything a vigorous shake in a container with a lid to distribute the powder. For hot coffee, shake up just the milk and protein powder before pouring it into your mug. This delicious morning treat is a great way to kickstart your day and hit your macros goal without putting too much stress on the subject. It also takes the guesswork out of whether you should start your morning with coffee or tea — coffee always wins.

Coffee with protein is a great way to stay on top of getting all your nutrients, but never shy away from adding some pizzazz to your drink to give yourself a better cup of coffee, even without having your own personal barista. Once you've added the protein, milk, and coffee, add some French vanilla syrup or vanilla extract (I'm a fan of vanilla bean paste myself) and cinnamon to make you feel like you just left the drive-thru of your favorite coffee stand.

Adding some caramel syrup and blending the ingredients with ice will give you a protein-packed, velvety treat. If you're in the mood for something that tastes slightly more cozy, add some chai tea powder and a dash of pumpkin spice seasoning to transport yourself to a blustery fall day, no matter what time of year it is. By the time you're done drinking what is now the best part of your day, you'll have forgotten that the whole point of making it was to get some extra protein in your diet.