This trend is one that has everyone talking. BUTTER in your COFFEE? We have to give it to the founder of Bulletproof Coffee, Dave Asprey, for shaking things up in the health world. If Gwyneth Paltrow and Jimmy Fallon do it, we should too, right?? Not so fast.
Asprey first came across the creamy yak butter tea while visiting Tibet, where it has been a traditional beverage for centuries. As there are not many yaks residing in the US, he put his own twist on the beverage by using 2 tablespoons of unsalted , grass fed cow’s butter and adding myotoxin-free coffee and 2 tablespoons of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.
Grassfed butter is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, D, K and beta-carotene. Grass fed is key here, corn or soy fed cows milk does NOT have the same nutrient profile! The MCT oil (coconut oil, typically) is an easily digested fat that is quickly absorbed and converted to energy rather than being stored. Coffee is meant to add that boost of caffeine and focus to your morning. When mixed with the fats, the caffeine enters your body more slowly and steadily.
Bulletproof coffee fans claim more energy and focus, digestive regularity, and weight loss. Sounds pretty great right? This is where we need to look at the other side of the story.
Bulletproofcoffee is 400+ calories, making it a meal replacement rather than addition. Asprey recommends replacing breakfast with the creamy coffee, which is where we find a problem. Why replace a balanced breakfast including protein, fiber, and an array of other nutrients with one that that is so low in essential nutrients?
We are huge coffee lovers, big fans of coconut oil, and have no problem with a dose of grass fed butter here and there. We hate to be conventional, but why not reap the benefits of coconut oil by using a tablespoon when cooking your vegetables? Or spread a teaspoon of grass fed butter on piece of sprouted bread? And why not enjoy your coffee with a splash of almond milk so that it can accompany your breakfast rather than replacing it?
We’re all about trying out different health trends and seeing what hits home. But here at Tovita, we are sticking to green smoothies, hearty bowls of oatmeal, and avocado toast for breakfast.