Have you heard of Bulletproof coffee? Oh…where do I begin?
I had heard of Bulletproof coffee a couple months back and shrugged it off as being a little over the top. The basic premise is adding 1-2 Tbsp butter and 1-2 Tbsp MCT oil to your coffee and blending it up. Yes, butter. No, Paula Deen did not come up with Bulletproof coffee.
Why Grass Fed Butter
*Technically, Bulletproof coffee should be made with unsalted butter but we bought salted. I’m not sure if it’s for taste reasons or what but it tastes yummy 🙂 *
Okay, so let’s start with the butter. The Bulletproof brand recommends grass fed, unsalted butter. The reasoning behind choosing grass fed butter is because the cows it comes from produce healthier fats than their corn fed brothers (they have a good ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fats). The butter is also a good source of Vitamin K which can potentially help reduce the risk of heart disease. Potentially. Everything has potential.
Why MCT Oil?
What is MCT oil? MCT oil is a compound that can be found from coconut oil or palm oil. When I looked it up, I found that there is very little research backing up claims that MCT oil is a super food. Coconut oil obviously has a fan base, but even it has very little research supporting claims about it.
Anyway, the idea is MCT oil will help improve brain function and aid with weight loss. Yes, that sounds awesome. Too good to be true? Maybe.
“Benefits”
Okay, so you’re adding your MCT oil (or in my case, I just add some coconut oil) and butter to your coffee. Why? Well, according to the Bulletproof crew this coffee will eliminate hunger pangs (therefore aiding with weight loss), and improve mental focus and overall brain power.
Something important to note, the Bulletproof brand emphasizes this coffee as a breakfast substitute.
I have been drinking a form of this coffee for a couple weeks and have continued to eat breakfast. This coffee is more filling than my usual cup so perhaps I am eating less overall, but I get hungry. I’m still breastfeeding too so if I’m hungry, I eat. I’m also not so sure about replacing an otherwise healthy and nutritious breakfast with something lacking so much nutritional value. You can easily get your “good fats” with some eggs in the morning. A 400 calorie cup of coffee or a 400 calorie nutrient dense breakfast with actual food? Hm.
The lesson here is, take it all with a grain of salt. Yes, it has come out in the world of nutrition that fat is not near as bad as it was thought to be. That includes saturated fat. Even saturated fat plays a role in proper brain function. But ask any Doctor and I think they would agree: moderation.
The Bulletproof diet folks go way more into it with their specific “Bulletproof” coffee and their own MCT oil called Brain Octane. That’s all well and good, sure. I, personally, do not buy their coffee claims. They basically say that all the coffee in the world (except theirs) is toxic. I’m sorry I just can’t believe that.
My Experience
So, I mentioned I have been drinking it. I haven’t bought the official Bulletproof coffee beans nor have I bought Brain Octane/MCT oil. My version has been 1 Tbsp of butter and 1 Tbsp of coconut oil.
I’m almost upset I tried it because it is good. Duh. So, 2 Tbsp of fat blended up. It is frothy and delicious.
Since I’m eating Paleo right now, it is a great replacement for my half and half I normally use. Maybe when I’m off Paleo I’ll try blending cream with my coffee? I love how frothy it gets mmm.
So, I guess I’m kind of “drinking the cool-aide?” The butter filled cool-aide? Yeah, it’s delicious. I appreciate the idea from the Bulletproof folks, but I’m not planning on purchasing their coffee or other products any time too. Apparently there is a whole Bulletproof diet that goes along with it. It’s all intriguing stuff, but…grain of salt. When someones trying to sell you something….grain of salt.
What do you think about Bulletproof Coffee?
Tried it. Loved it. But, yes, I feel the same way as you. Everything in moderation. My body stays at a more consistent weight if I eat 40/30/30 instead of really high fat and high protein. I mean, that’s still a lot of fat and protein but balanced out well with carbs. But man, I agree, that butter and oil mixed in the coffee is YUMMY!
ya its ridiculous. if im going to drink it, ill try to keep an eye on my fat/protein/carb ratio throughout the day bc that’s like, a huge amount of my daily fat right there haha. delicious, delicious fat.