Rachel Condon, Lic. Ac.
Why would you want to add fat to your coffee??
For one thing, it's delicious, when blended correctly. For another, it actually has nutritional benefits, as well as being satiating.
I have been following the recent trend of a higher fat diet among health experts, doctors, nutrition coaches and consultants for some time now, and it's becoming increasingly clear that what we thought was true in the 1980s and 90s, is actually the opposite: Fat does not make you fat. Sugar does. This is part of the philosophy behind why low-carb, higher fat diets work for many, and why most low fat diets do not work, in the long run. Of course, we are all unique and no one diet works for everyone, as all of us know who have tried different diets over the years. That is a much larger discussion than what can be addressed here. For now, we'll stick with the coffee. And of course, this can be beneficial only if coffee itself works okay for you and doesn't disrupt your sleep or cause other problems for your health.
Here are some of the nutritional benefits to starting your day with some extra fat, and instead of adding sugar:
*Boosts mental clarity
*Gives a natural boost in energy
*Helps the body switch into a fat-burning metabolic state instead of sugar-burning
*Is satiating and satisfying
In terms of the satiating effects, I will have this first thing in the morning, after 24-32 ounces of water, and then I may not have breakfast for 2-3 hours, depending on my morning. And occasionally I will skip breakfast altogether, as a form of intermittent fasting. There is some controversy over whether this is beneficial for women to practice, due to the hormonal changes that can occur, so I am still experimenting with this, and may write more in a future post. Regardless, adding a little fat to your coffee instead of sugar can be very satisfying and delicious!
What kind of fat do you use?
The most common fats added to make this delicious morning drink, which you can also make with black or herbal tea, are:
*A form of coconut oil - MCT Oil is a concentrated and easily digestible form of coconut oil - MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides, and is thought to have a more pronounced effect on cognitive function, but coconut oil works too
*Butter, preferably grass-fed (or ghee, clarified butter, if lactose-intolerant)
Rachel's morning coffee:
*10-15 oz organic fair trade coffee, half decaf
*cinnamon, sprinkled on top of grounds (see Katie's info on cinnamon above!)
*1 T. grassfed butter (I like using the salted, but most people use unsalted)
*1 T. MCT Oil (or coconut oil, or Brain Octane)
optional additions-
1 capsule of Onnit Shroom Tech Immune Boost - I add one of these when I need it, adds a nice flavor of turmeric too, not too strong.
1-2 scoops of collagen protein - I will add this on days when I'm exercising more, or needing the added digestive support.
1 piece of phat fudge (recipe in this newsletter - I add this when I want a little treat, and it has barely any sweetener).
Blend all ingredients together. I use an immersion blender, about 10-15 seconds. Just stirring with a spoon won't work well, and you will have oily coffee, not good. You could also use a regular blender.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
For a nice caffeine-free version, try blending some fats into your favorite herbal chai blend, or Reishi brand's Turmeric Ginger tea. Yum!
