Bulletproof Coffee

Thoughts on Bulletproof Coffee. Is it healthy or not? I have been drinking it for a couple months, but am wondering how healthy it truly is. Isn't having a normal breakfast better for you? I have been researching it online and it has mixed reviews, some it is healthy and some say it is bad for you.
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Replies

  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    It depends on your goals. I don't use the brand of Bulletproof coffee, but my normal weekday breakfast is coffee with added fat and protein. Usually it is protein powder, HWC, and margarine. Sometimes I'll also add MCT oil. For me, it provides macro-nutrients to fit my plan. So it is subjectively "healthy" for me. If what you eat fits your plan (assuming your plan is what you need to reach whatever goals you have set), then the food itself can be considered to be "healthy."
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I would tend to think this is a bad idea for the majority of people.

    And while this is purely anecdote I know Dr Spencer Nadolsky (obesity physician who is also active in the fitness community) has seen evidence of concerning health markers that seem to be correlated with people drinking BP coffee and it might have to do with the rather extreme nature of it.
  • erider0505
    erider0505 Posts: 13 Member
    @bowlerae Thank you! I haven't tried it with heavy cream. I do 2 TBPSN butter & Coconut Oil & 1 TBPSN Brain Octane. I will try heavy cream too. I am also trying to following a keto diet. Just want to make sure it is healthy, as that is my main goal.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited October 2016
    erider0505 wrote: »
    Thoughts on Bulletproof Coffee. Is it healthy or not? I have been drinking it for a couple months, but am wondering how healthy it truly is. Isn't having a normal breakfast better for you? I have been researching it online and it has mixed reviews, some it is healthy and some say it is bad for you.

    Breakfast is irrelevant, really. But for me bulletproof coffee sounds unappealing (I like coffee black) and has no health benefits -- butter and coconut oil are great for cooking and tasty, but don't really have many nutrients on their own. Therefore, if I am going to invest calories in breakfast (and I usually do), I like for them to include protein and a variety of micronutrients -- usually including vegetables, maybe fruit. But if you prefer a different kind of breakfast and getting in protein/micros in other ways, that's totally fine.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I drink it most days. It fits my macros. I eat LCHF and tend to skip a breakfast do drinking coffee with a teaspoon of coconut oil (lots of MCTs - great for brain health) and some cream fills me up. Plus I love sipping coffee and like the taste.

    I've always liked drinking my calories too. I like smoothies, coffee with cream, teas, and I used to like alcoholic drinks. Those who don't drink their calories might not enjoy it.

    I am sure it isn't bad for you. My BPC probably has about the same calories as someone else's creamer and sugar. I just don't have the carbs in mine.

    About the only time BPC might be a bad idea is if you are adding it onto an already full breakfast. Depending on how you make it, it could be a few hundred extra calories per day.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I drink it most days. It fits my macros. I eat LCHF and tend to skip a breakfast do drinking coffee with a teaspoon of coconut oil (lots of MCTs - great for brain health) and some cream fills me up. Plus I love sipping coffee and like the taste.

    I've always liked drinking my calories too. I like smoothies, coffee with cream, teas, and I used to like alcoholic drinks. Those who don't drink their calories might not enjoy it.

    I am sure it isn't bad for you. My BPC probably has about the same calories as someone else's creamer and sugar. I just don't have the carbs in mine.

    About the only time BPC might be a bad idea is if you are adding it onto an already full breakfast. Depending on how you make it, it could be a few hundred extra calories per day.

    IIRC one of Asprey's recommendations clocks in around 600cals? At SOME point I'd have to think that might matter in some individuals even under a condition where someone isn't gaining bodyweight.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    The logic to me.. is to keep yourself in a fat burning state after fasting during sleep. If you eat any carb your body comes out of the fat burning fasting state. So, in theory. you drink coffee with butter, or coconut oil it keeps your body during fat until you eat at lunch. I learned this from my intermittent fasting group.. where some do this in the mornings.

    That's all I can dish on the subject.. Iv'e never done it.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    The logic to me.. is to keep yourself in a fat burning state after fasting during sleep. If you eat any carb your body comes out of the fat burning fasting state. So, in theory. you drink coffee with butter, or coconut oil it keeps your body during fat until you eat at lunch. I learned this from my intermittent fasting group.. where some do this in the mornings.

    That's all I can dish on the subject.. Iv'e never done it.

    Yes, some people drink BPC for that reason. Personally, I add protein powder and HWC, so that wouldn't work out. Not that I care because it is basically just a breakfast replacement for me, but just pointing out that there are other goals with BPC.
  • tlflag1620
    tlflag1620 Posts: 1,358 Member
    I e never tried it, but I do add a good bit of cream or half and half to my coffee (and no sweetener/sugar), and tend to skip breakfast. The fat content does seem to keep me satisfied until lunch. If it fits your calories, fills you up, and you like it, why not? And what is a "normal" breakfast? Personally I think breakfast is overrated. As long as you are hitting your macro and micro needs with the rest of your day, I don't see breakfast, or a lack thereof, as being particularly critical.
  • MarkR_2013
    MarkR_2013 Posts: 43 Member
    Brain Octane!?! You realize that you're just dosing your coffee with this stuff:
    http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-915-medium+chain+triglycerides.aspx

    Just put blueberries and sesame seeds on your morning cereal. It's probably tastes better too.
    http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/eat-smart-healthier-brain#1
  • KetoLady86
    KetoLady86 Posts: 337 Member
    I drink BPC almost everyday with a tablespoon of MCT. LOVE IT
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    The logic to me.. is to keep yourself in a fat burning state after fasting during sleep. If you eat any carb your body comes out of the fat burning fasting state. So, in theory. you drink coffee with butter, or coconut oil it keeps your body during fat until you eat at lunch. I learned this from my intermittent fasting group.. where some do this in the mornings.

    That's all I can dish on the subject.. Iv'e never done it.

    Is this true? I mean about the fat burning state, coffee, fat and fasting after sleep?
    Carbs stop fat burning in the day time?

    I thought most fat is used during sleep and rest state, not much in the day time.

  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I drink it most days. It fits my macros. I eat LCHF and tend to skip a breakfast do drinking coffee with a teaspoon of coconut oil (lots of MCTs - great for brain health) and some cream fills me up. Plus I love sipping coffee and like the taste.

    I've always liked drinking my calories too. I like smoothies, coffee with cream, teas, and I used to like alcoholic drinks. Those who don't drink their calories might not enjoy it.

    I am sure it isn't bad for you. My BPC probably has about the same calories as someone else's creamer and sugar. I just don't have the carbs in mine.

    About the only time BPC might be a bad idea is if you are adding it onto an already full breakfast. Depending on how you make it, it could be a few hundred extra calories per day.

    IIRC one of Asprey's recommendations clocks in around 600cals? At SOME point I'd have to think that might matter in some individuals even under a condition where someone isn't gaining bodyweight.

    You could be right. I have no idea - I've never followed Asprey. I was putting coconut oil in my coffee long before I'd ever heard of him or BPC. It started with coconut cream from a can because I had some dairy issues and liked cream in my coffee, and many of the substitute milks had cross contamination issues that could have been a problem for my family. I switched to coconut oil because it was cheaper than coconut milk.

    600kcal of coconut oil is a lot. Theraputic levels are often that high but I doubt the average Joe needs, or wants that much. I'd be in the bathroom all day if I didn't build up to that much.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I don't see why it would be unhealthy, but it is the most bizarre concept I've ever heard of. It totally beats out drinking kale on the weird food idea scale.

    It really isn't any odder than putting cow breast milk and evaporated beet juice in your coffee. ;) It's more a matter of what you are used to.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Gamliela wrote: »
    The logic to me.. is to keep yourself in a fat burning state after fasting during sleep. If you eat any carb your body comes out of the fat burning fasting state. So, in theory. you drink coffee with butter, or coconut oil it keeps your body during fat until you eat at lunch. I learned this from my intermittent fasting group.. where some do this in the mornings.

    That's all I can dish on the subject.. Iv'e never done it.

    Is this true? I mean about the fat burning state, coffee, fat and fasting after sleep?
    Carbs stop fat burning in the day time?

    Not completely, or all day long, and also it doesn't matter. You burn the same amount of calories over time, and if there is a deficit the extra will come from bodyfat (mostly). The timing of when you burn it is irrelevant.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Gamliela wrote: »
    The logic to me.. is to keep yourself in a fat burning state after fasting during sleep. If you eat any carb your body comes out of the fat burning fasting state. So, in theory. you drink coffee with butter, or coconut oil it keeps your body during fat until you eat at lunch. I learned this from my intermittent fasting group.. where some do this in the mornings.

    That's all I can dish on the subject.. Iv'e never done it.

    Is this true? I mean about the fat burning state, coffee, fat and fasting after sleep?
    Carbs stop fat burning in the day time?

    Not completely, or all day long, and also it doesn't matter. You burn the same amount of calories over time, and if there is a deficit the extra will come from bodyfat (mostly). The timing of when you burn it is irrelevant.

    It's true that you burn more fat if you eat fewer carbohydrates and more fat.

    However you're also eating more fat.

    The end result is not going to be more body fat being burned if we are comparing identical calories and protein intake.
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Gamliela wrote: »
    The logic to me.. is to keep yourself in a fat burning state after fasting during sleep. If you eat any carb your body comes out of the fat burning fasting state. So, in theory. you drink coffee with butter, or coconut oil it keeps your body during fat until you eat at lunch. I learned this from my intermittent fasting group.. where some do this in the mornings.

    That's all I can dish on the subject.. Iv'e never done it.

    Is this true? I mean about the fat burning state, coffee, fat and fasting after sleep?
    Carbs stop fat burning in the day time?

    Not completely, or all day long, and also it doesn't matter. You burn the same amount of calories over time, and if there is a deficit the extra will come from bodyfat (mostly). The timing of when you burn it is irrelevant.

    It's true that you burn more fat if you eat fewer carbohydrates and more fat.

    However you're also eating more fat.

    The end result is not going to be more body fat being burned if we are comparing identical calories and protein intake.

    Am I dense? I'm still not getting it. sorry. Mor explanation maybe?

  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Gamliela wrote: »
    The logic to me.. is to keep yourself in a fat burning state after fasting during sleep. If you eat any carb your body comes out of the fat burning fasting state. So, in theory. you drink coffee with butter, or coconut oil it keeps your body during fat until you eat at lunch. I learned this from my intermittent fasting group.. where some do this in the mornings.

    That's all I can dish on the subject.. Iv'e never done it.

    Is this true? I mean about the fat burning state, coffee, fat and fasting after sleep?
    Carbs stop fat burning in the day time?

    Not completely, or all day long, and also it doesn't matter. You burn the same amount of calories over time, and if there is a deficit the extra will come from bodyfat (mostly). The timing of when you burn it is irrelevant.

    It's true that you burn more fat if you eat fewer carbohydrates and more fat.

    However you're also eating more fat.

    The end result is not going to be more body fat being burned if we are comparing identical calories and protein intake.

    Yep.

    It's analogous to the argument that you burn more fat if you do fasted cardio (or, sigh, work out in the "fat burning zone"). While exercising, sure, but over the course of the day you are going to burn what you eat plus, if there is a deficit, additional body fat. Can't burn body fat without being at a deficit, and you won't add net fat if you are at a deficit, it's just going to affect the timing of what you are burning.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Vowder wrote: »
    Fat gives you a satisfied full feeling. It keeps the hunger pains away.

    Depends on the person. This is not true for me. (I wish people would stop making general pronouncements about satiety when people vary.)
    You body can't store the fat you eat.

    ?? Sure it can, easily.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I don't see why it would be unhealthy, but it is the most bizarre concept I've ever heard of. It totally beats out drinking kale on the weird food idea scale.

    It really isn't any odder than putting cow breast milk and evaporated beet juice in your coffee. ;) It's more a matter of what you are used to.

    Things become more bizarre the less familiar they are?!? You're kidding! ;)

    I don't think there is such a thing as cow breast milk since cows don't have breasts.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Vowder wrote: »
    Fat gives you a satisfied full feeling. It keeps the hunger pains away. You body can't store the fat you eat.

    I'm on a Keto/Low Carb High Fat diet. I am losing weight, feel great and am able to work out in ways that I haven't been able to since I was a kid.

    Every morning I put whipping cream into my coffee. It tastes just awesome. I often don't have lunch until 2:00 pm in the afternoon but I WILL eat lunch as soon as I get hungry. Some days I eat at 11:00 am.

    On Sunday (yesterday), after my coffee, I worked out in the pool for 1 hour (3.2 km) then got on the treadmill for another 2 hours (4 mph/8 degrees). I was played-out when I was I done.

    I had lunch at 1:00 pm. Dinner the night before was 7:00 pm.

    That is the advantage of being in KETO. You get your energy from stored fat rather than from consumed carbs. I've got 210,000 calories of stored energy on my body that I am now able to access.

    I've lost about 100 lbs over the last 9 months and don't struggle at all with what I am eating. Who can argue with whipping cream in their coffee.

    For me, Bullet Proof coffee gives me a satisfied full feeling while a carb breakfast just makes me want to eat more.

    I wouldn't change back for the world.

    While I am still 240 lbs, my blood pressure is awesome, my resting heart rate is in the high 50's, and I am able to work out for 3 hours in a row and I get to eat full satisfying meals.

    It won't be long and I will be at my target weight. I can't imagine ever going back to a traditional diet though.

    You should really try and research some more. because... :(
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    edited October 2016
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I don't see why it would be unhealthy, but it is the most bizarre concept I've ever heard of. It totally beats out drinking kale on the weird food idea scale.

    It really isn't any odder than putting cow breast milk and evaporated beet juice in your coffee. ;) It's more a matter of what you are used to.

    Things become more bizarre the less familiar they are?!? You're kidding! ;)

    I don't think there is such a thing as cow breast milk since cows don't have breasts.

    I am now as udderly confused as you :p

    ETA. Do beets have breast?
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Gamliela wrote: »
    SideSteel wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Gamliela wrote: »
    The logic to me.. is to keep yourself in a fat burning state after fasting during sleep. If you eat any carb your body comes out of the fat burning fasting state. So, in theory. you drink coffee with butter, or coconut oil it keeps your body during fat until you eat at lunch. I learned this from my intermittent fasting group.. where some do this in the mornings.

    That's all I can dish on the subject.. Iv'e never done it.

    Is this true? I mean about the fat burning state, coffee, fat and fasting after sleep?
    Carbs stop fat burning in the day time?

    Not completely, or all day long, and also it doesn't matter. You burn the same amount of calories over time, and if there is a deficit the extra will come from bodyfat (mostly). The timing of when you burn it is irrelevant.

    It's true that you burn more fat if you eat fewer carbohydrates and more fat.

    However you're also eating more fat.

    The end result is not going to be more body fat being burned if we are comparing identical calories and protein intake.

    Am I dense? I'm still not getting it. sorry. Mor explanation maybe?

    It affects timing -- you mostly burn fat when sleeping, but if you eat carbs you will burn those instead and less fat for a while (how long depends on the amount of carbs, size of the meal, etc.).

    Then you will go back to burning more fat, if not moving vigorously. When moving vigorously your percentage of fat burned will go down again and you will rely more on glycogen.

    But all of this is about timing, not body fat burned.

    Oversimplifying for the example, let's take two people who eat 1500 calories and burn about 500 calories every day for a week. One eats no breakfast and about 60% fat (or 900 calories). The other eats breakfast and about 20% fat (or 300 calories). In a week, the first one will have burned about 1400 calories of fat on average per day, whereas the second will have burned about 800 calories of fat per day, and they will have burned the fat at different times (the first person probably more in the morning), but both will have lost 1 lb and burned the same amount of net fat (fat above what they ate). The first person burned more fat because she ate more fat.

    Does that make sense?