19 April 2023 , 09:48
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Most of us start our mornings with a fresh cup of coffee, giving a caffeine boost to get us through the post-sleep drowsiness.
Some even love our cup of coffee so much we will skip breakfast but grab an iced coffee on from our favourite chain when on the way to work, missing out on important nutrients to start the day.
Coffee is so popular that gym goers and health fans alike have started using the drink as a way to get extra protein into their diet in a new trend named "Proffee" which now has over 46.1 million views on TikTok.
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Anna recommends checking your daily intake of protein before drinking proffee (Getty Images/Flickr RF)The "proffee" trend shows a variety of health TikTokers mixing their protein shakes into their morning coffee - one user called Proffee Queen KT claimed the mixture was her "go to" in the morning since she lost "over 100lbs".
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While adding protein might seem a good idea, especially if you're attending to lose weight or hit lifting goals in the gym, hidden sugars could undermine your hard work.
Green Chef's head chef and registered nutritionist, Anna Tebbs, has warned "proffee" lovers that they should think twice before diving into the trend.
She said: "Protein coffee may be a good way to increase your protein intake at the start of the day. Of course, like any new health trend it's important to weigh up the pros and cons and to make sure that what you're consuming is actually going to benefit you and your goals!
"It's also important to note that while it might seem like a great idea to be adding more protein to your diet you may not even need to up your intake unless you are following a low carb or keto diet."
There are benefits to protein coffee if you're using it to boost your workout. Anna added: "If you're opting for a protein coffee before a workout the combination of protein and caffeine will give you a much-needed energy boost and help you stay focused during your workout."
Anna agrees that making yourself protein coffee could be a "convenient way to increase your protein intake" but warns a protein rich breakfast is a better option as the sugary drink might not work the way you hope.
She warned: "Be careful that the coffee you're consuming isn't packed with sneaky added sugars or this could outweigh the benefits of the protein you're adding and do more to harm your goals than good.
"Always do your research when it comes to your protein powder. Some variations are packed with fillers and additives!"
While the coffee could "help to support concentration and mental alertness", opting for a healthy breakfast is always a better method.
If you're skipping breakfast due to time constraints, opt for Greek yoghurt as a low carbohydrate choice with lots of protein. Anna suggests adding it to porridge or a morning smoothie, packed with fruit and veg.
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"Speaking of porridge, top your bowl up with nuts and seeds," she added. "Porridge on its own isn't particularly protein rich but sprinkling over some almonds, chia or pumpkin seeds will remedy that and finish off your breakfast with some crunch.
"For a protein rich breakfast on the go try smoked salmon and cream cheese roll ups. Spread your favourite cream cheese on a piece of smoked salmon for a high-protein, low-carb breakfast."
Anna said: "Of course, like any new health trend it's important to weigh up the pros and cons and to make sure that what you're consuming is actually going to benefit you and your goals!"