Madeleine Hull
The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has gained popularity in recent years. It Works! Keto Coffee is an instant coffee drink designed for those following this diet, containing ingredients that are meant to help increase fat intake and induce ketosis. While the product claims to offer unique benefits such as increased ketone production, improved mood, and sharpened mental focus, research on its ingredients does not fully support these assertions.
One of the main ingredients in It Works! Keto Coffee is grass-fed butter powder, which is a source of protein and fat, two essential macronutrients for ketogenic dieters. Additionally, the product contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which have been linked to modest weight loss and can be found in sources such as coconut oil.
To enhance the flavour and potential benefits of your keto coffee, consider adding some of the following:
- Grass-fed butter for more energy and focus
- MCT oil to increase metabolic rate and suppress appetite
- Keto coffee creamer for a low-carb alternative to dairy creamers
- Sugar-free sweeteners such as erythritol and stevia
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Grass-fed butter, MCT oil, collagen peptides, green coffee beans, coconut oil powder, hydrolyzed collagen peptides |
| Other ingredients | Himalayan pink salt, xanthan gum, milk |
| Caffeine content | 125 mg per serving |
| Calories | Not zero-calorie |
| Benefits | Energy boost, improved mood, appetite suppression, weight loss, increased ketone production, improved skin, hair and nails |
| Drawbacks | High caffeine content, mixed reviews, questionable appetite suppressing and satiety-inducing claims |
| Price | 15 servings: $50-$84; 30 servings: $81-$135; 60 servings: $123-$205 |
MCT oil
When adding MCT oil to keto coffee, it's important to use a blender or milk frother to emulsify the oil into the coffee. This creates a creamy, frothy texture similar to a latte. The recommended ratio of MCT oil to butter or ghee is 1:1, but you can adjust this to your taste preferences, starting with 1 teaspoon of each and gradually increasing to up to 1 tablespoon.
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Grass-fed butter
When choosing grass-fed butter for keto coffee, there are several brands that are recommended. These include Anchor Grass-Fed New Zealand Butter, Black & Bolyard Grass-Fed Brown Butter, Organic Valley Cultured Pasture Butter, Beurre D’Isigny French Normandy Unsalted Butter, Allgäu Grass-Fed German Butter, Smjör Unsalted Icelandic Butter, and Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter.
When buying grass-fed butter, it is important to check the label to ensure it is 100% grass-fed, sugar-free, carb-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO. It is also worth noting that grass-fed butter will have a deeper yellowish color, which signifies a higher butterfat percentage.
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Collagen peptides
- Improved Skin Elasticity: Collagen supplementation is known to improve skin elasticity, which can be diminished by various factors such as aging, UV exposure, pollution, a high-sugar diet, dehydration, and poor sleep. By adding collagen to your coffee, you're not only getting a caffeine boost but also supporting the health of your skin.
- Joint Support: Collagen is essential for joint health, as it provides structure and makes up the cartilage in your knees and joints. Adding collagen to your coffee can help reduce joint pain and stiffness associated with a decrease in collagen levels.
- Support Muscle Growth and Recovery: While whey protein is typically considered superior for muscle growth and recovery, collagen can still offer some benefits in this regard. Adding collagen to your coffee can provide a performance boost for your workouts, especially when combined with the energizing effects of caffeine.
- Gut Health: Collagen has been found to enhance tight junctions, which play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier. Additionally, the caffeine in coffee can diversify bacteria in the gut microbiome, further supporting gut health.
- Convenience and Taste: Adding collagen to your coffee is a convenient way to incorporate collagen into your daily routine. It becomes a natural part of your morning coffee ritual, ensuring you get your daily dose of collagen without having to remember to take it separately. Most collagen powders are unflavored, so they won't alter the taste of your coffee, but they may give it a creamy texture, making your coffee even more enjoyable.
When adding collagen to your keto coffee, simply add one scoop of collagen peptide powder to your cup. The amount of collagen per scoop may vary depending on the product, so be sure to check the label. Additionally, you can experiment with different flavors and ingredients, such as cinnamon or MCT oil, to create delicious collagen coffee recipes.
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Sugar-free sweeteners
When it comes to keto-friendly sweeteners, there are several options that you can use to sweeten your coffee without kicking yourself out of ketosis. These sugar alternatives can be broadly categorised into artificial sweeteners, naturally low-carb sweeteners, and sugar alcohols. When choosing a keto-approved sweetener, look for options that have zero calories and net carbs, minimal effects on blood sugar levels, and are stable at high temperatures to prevent a bitter or off-putting taste in your coffee.
Stevia
Stevia is a popular choice for those following a keto diet. Derived from a herb, it is 200 times sweeter than sugar, meaning a little goes a long way. Available as a powder or syrup, stevia is a carb-free, zero-calorie sweetener that may also help lower blood sugar levels.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that mimics the taste of sugar. It is usually made from corn or cornstarch and is about 70-80% as sweet as sugar with only 5% of the calories. Erythritol has a different mouthfeel than sugar, so it may take some getting used to. Its small molecular size makes it easy to digest, and it may even help lower blood sugar levels. Start with small quantities to see how your body reacts.
Yacon Syrup
Derived from the root of the Yacon plant, yacon syrup does contain small amounts of carbohydrates, but they are not digested by the body in the same way as sugar. This syrup is rich in fructooligosaccharides and is about 70% as sweet as table sugar. Yacon syrup should not be cooked, so add it directly to your coffee.
Sucralose (Splenda)
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener commonly marketed as Splenda. While pure sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar, Splenda is a combination of sucralose, maltodextrin, and dextrose, which adds about 1g of carbs per packet. You can use Splenda as a 1:1 substitute for sugar, but if you choose pure sucralose, remember to use a very small amount due to its intense sweetness.
Xylitol
Xylitol is another sugar alcohol commonly found in sugar-free candy and gum. It has about 4g of carbohydrates per teaspoon, but these are not metabolised by the body, so it doesn't raise blood sugar levels and is not counted towards net carb intake. Xylitol is as sweet as sugar, making it an easy substitute in keto coffee. However, it can cause bloating and digestive issues for some people, so start with small amounts and discontinue use if it causes discomfort.
Monk Fruit
Monk fruit, or Luo Han Guo, is a sweetener originating from Northern Thailand and Southern China. It is widely used in Chinese medicine and is 100-250 times sweeter than regular sugar, depending on the concentration of natural sugars called mogrosides. Monk fruit has no carbs, no calories, and a zero glycemic index, making it an ideal keto sweetener for coffee.
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Heavy cream
If you are making keto coffee with heavy cream, you will need a blender or frother to mix your coffee. This is crucial to blend the fat from the butter into the hot coffee. You can also add sweetener to taste.
If you are vegan, you can still enjoy keto coffee! Simply swap the heavy cream for coconut milk.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can add milk to It Works Keto Coffee. However, it is important to note that the product already contains milk, so it may not be suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.
Yes, you can add a sweetener to It Works Keto Coffee. It is recommended to use a plant-based sweetener with zero calories, such as erythritol or stevia, which are suitable for a keto diet.
Yes, you can add MCT oil to It Works Keto Coffee. MCT oil is known to aid in weight loss and fat burning and can help increase your metabolic rate, suppress appetite, and enhance endurance during exercise.
Yes, you can add butter to It Works Keto Coffee. It is recommended to use grass-fed butter, as it contains more omega-3s than conventional butter and can potentially lower inflammation. Butter can also give you more energy, improve focus, and provide a healthy alternative to breakfast.
Yes, you can add collagen to It Works Keto Coffee. Collagen provides pure protein, which is integral to the ketogenic diet, and can help improve skin elasticity.
