provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content
HomeWell-beingDiet and Nutrition

Is Adding Protein Powder to Coffee Good for You? A Dietitian Explains.

Cara Rosenbloom, RDKatie E. Golden, MD
Written by Cara Rosenbloom, RD | Reviewed by Katie E. Golden, MD
Published on February 4, 2025

Key takeaways:

  • Many people add protein powder to their brewed coffee to boost their daily protein intake. 

  • Adding protein powder to your coffee usually adds about 25 g to 30 g of protein. This is especially useful if you’re trying to build or preserve muscle mass, manage weight, recover from illness or injury, or support bone health. 

  • But getting too much protein can lead to weight gain or kidney issues.

  • Most people get enough protein from consuming whole foods. But if you’re using a protein powder, choose an unsweetened type. 

Close-up adding protein powder in a cup of coffee.
Johnce/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Protein coffee — also known as “proffee” — is made by adding protein powder to brewed coffee. Ideally, it contains only coffee and unsweetened protein powder, creating a high-protein, sugar-free drink.

Below are tips for the best ways to add protein powder to your coffee and learn how this may benefit your health. 

Can you put protein powder in coffee?

Yes, you can add protein powder to coffee. Many protein powders are made from dairy-based proteins like casein or whey. So, adding them is similar to adding milk or cream to your coffee. Like cream or milk, protein powder lightens your coffee and adds creaminess. If you use a flavored protein powder, it can also add sweetness.

SPECIAL OFFER

Save over 40% on Qsymia with GoodRx

Discover the once daily Qsymia for weight management. Qsymia is for adults and children 12-17 in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Woman going for a run at sunset
Igor Alecsander/E+ via Getty Images Plus

But protein powder adds much more protein to your coffee than milk or cream. A tablespoon or 2 of milk or creamer adds less than 1 g of protein, while a scoop of dairy- or plant-based protein powder adds about 25 g

There are many types of protein powder, and the best choice depends on your preference. When buying a protein powder, consider:

  • Flavor: Options range from plain, unflavored protein powder to sweetened flavors like chocolate, vanilla, or peanut butter.

  • Protein type: Dairy-based options include casein and whey, while plant-based choices include soy, rice, or pea protein. Egg white protein is also available. Most proteins have about 25 g of protein per scoop (scoop size may vary slightly). 

  • Sweetener: Flavored protein powders can be sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners such as stevia, aspartame, or sucralose — or a mix of these. 

What are the benefits of mixing protein powder into your coffee?

Mixing protein into coffee is a convenient way to add more protein to your daily diet. 

Most people in the U.S. consume enough protein through food. But some experts think the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 0.8 g of protein per kilogram of body weight is too low for many people. Increasing your protein intake may be good, especially for the following health goals. 

Weight management

Protein helps with satiety, the feeling of fullness. A high-protein diet may help lower your calorie intake by keeping you full. People on high-protein diets usually aim for 1.2 g to 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. For example, a person weighing 150 lbs (68 kg) would aim for 82 g to 136 g of protein per day.

GoodRx icon
  • How much protein do you need? Most adults in the U.S. get enough protein. But certain groups may benefit from higher-protein diets. Here’s how to tell if you’re getting enough.

  • Quick and easy ways to eat more protein: Your protein needs depend on your activity level, age, sex, and health goals. Here are some tips for adding more protein to your daily diet. 

  • Plant-based protein sources: You don’t need to eat animal products to meet protein needs. But your diet should include a variety of plant-based proteins to help bump up your protein intake.

Gaining muscle

Protein helps with muscle recovery and growing lean muscle mass. People trying to build muscle often aim for 1.2 g to 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. Adding protein to coffee can help you get that extra serving of protein. As a bonus, the caffeine in coffee may help boost exercise endurance and improve overall physical performance.

According to the FDA, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is a safe amount for healthy adults. This is equivalent to 2 to 4 cups of coffee, depending on the size of your drink. But note that everyone reacts to caffeine differently.

Maintaining muscle mass

As you age, your body naturally loses muscle mass. It happens most commonly in your 60s, 70s, and 80s. Getting enough protein can support strong muscles and reduce age-related muscle loss. Older adults may benefit from getting 1.2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily to help maintain muscle mass

Bone health

Protein is essential for maintaining healthy bones. It helps ensure optimal bone mass during growth and is equally important for supporting and rebuilding bone as you age.

Tissue recovery 

After surgery or illness, many health professionals recommend adding extra protein to your diet. This is because protein is known to support immune health and help with wound and tissue healing.

Downsides of adding protein powder to coffee

Drinking coffee with added protein is safe for most people. But there are a few things to keep in mind. 

Excess protein

If you already get enough protein at every meal and snack, adding another 25 g to 30 g through your coffee can be too much. Getting too much protein (more than 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily) may lead to: 

Sugar

A cup of coffee with unsweetened protein powder has about 150 calories, 0 g sugar, and 25 g to 30 g of protein. But check the nutrition label to make sure you’re not buying a protein with high amounts of added sugar. Excess added sugar (more than 12 tsp per day) is linked to weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and inflammation, among other things.

Ultra-processed ingredients

Some protein powders may contain ultra-processed ingredients like artificial sweeteners, thickeners, and artificial flavors. It’s a good idea to limit these ingredients because they can affect your health when consumed in excess. In addition to changing your gut microbiome and causing inflammation, ultra-processed foods have been linked to:

Especially if you use protein powder daily, try to choose one with minimal additives. Avoid products with long lists of additives, such as: 

  • Sucralose

  • Artificial flavor

  • Xanthan gum

  • Citric acid

  • Maltodextrin

  • Sodium citrate 

Protein coffee can be nutritious if it’s made with just coffee and unsweetened protein powder. When shopping for protein powder, look for those that list only the protein concentrate as an ingredient. For example, if using whey protein, the label should name “whey protein concentrate” as the only ingredient. 

What’s the best way to use protein powder in coffee?

You can add protein powder to any type of coffee, including:

  • Cold brew 

  • Espresso shots

  • French press

  • Drip coffee

Blending tips

Protein powder blends best in liquids that are cool or at room temperature. If added straight into hot coffee, it may clump. To prevent this, try blending protein powder with a few tablespoons of cool water, milk, or a milk alternative first. Then, add this mixture to your hot coffee.

Using a whisk, frother, or blender is usually more effective for dissolving protein powder than stirring with a spoon. 

Ideas for healthful add-ins

Mixing sugar or syrups into your coffee can quickly turn it into a high-sugar, high-fat beverage. But you can keep your coffee nutritious by adding:

  • Cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice blend

  • Cacao nibs or unsweetened cocoa powder

  • Extracts like vanilla or peppermint

  • Citrus zest or a squeeze of fresh citrus

Frequently asked questions

What are some other ways to add protein to coffee? 

If protein powder isn’t your thing, try making a latte or cappuccino using cow’s milk or soy milk. This will also add protein — approximately 8 g to 10 g of protein per cup. You can also try a frothy coffee smoothie by blending Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and coffee with ice. 

Can you drink coffee with protein powder every day?

Most people can safely enjoy protein powder in their coffee daily. But it’s a good idea to choose an unsweetened protein powder, as excess sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other additives can cause negative health effects. It’s also smart to check with a trusted healthcare professional before starting any supplement, including protein.

The bottom line

Adding protein powder to coffee is an easy way to increase your daily protein intake by about 25 g to 30 g. This can be helpful if you’re trying to gain or preserve muscle mass. It may also help if you’re looking to add protein for other reasons, such as finding a comfortable weight, bone health, or recovery after surgery or illness. But getting too much protein can cause weight gain and kidney issues. 

If you want to start adding protein powder to coffee, choose an unsweetened one. And before adding it to your diet, check with a healthcare professional to see if this supplement is right for you.

why trust our exports reliability shield

Why trust our experts?

Cara Rosenbloom, RD
Cara Rosenbloom, RD, has been a registered dietitian for 22 years. She began her career working as a dietitian at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
Meredith Hoffa
Edited by:
Meredith Hoffa
Meredith Hoffa is a senior health editor at GoodRx, where she leads journalists and clinicians covering various well-being topics, particularly in diet and nutrition.
Katie E. Golden, MD
Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

References

Alton Memorial Hospital. (n.d.). Eating a high-protein diet for wound care

American College of Sports Medicine. (2016). Nutrition and athletic performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

View All References (17)

American Heart Association. (2024). Protein: What’s enough? 

Cho, M. R., et al. (2022). A review of sarcopenia pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and future direction. Journal of Korean Medical Science

Dhillon, J., et al. (2016). The effects of increased protein intake on fullness: A meta-analysis and its limitations. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Guest, N. S., et al. (2022). International society of sports nutrition position stand: Caffeine and exercise performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

Hernandez-Alonso, P., et al. (2016). High dietary protein intake is associated with an increased body weight and total death risk. Clinical Nutrition

International Osteoporosis FOundation. (n.d.). Protein and other nutrients

Ko, G. J., et al. (2020). The effects of high-protein diets on kidney health and longevity. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

MyFoodData. (n.d.). Beverages, protein powder, whey based

MyFoodData. (n.d.). Low-fat milk 2%

Narula, N., et al. (2021). Association of ultra-processed food intake with risk of inflammatory bowel disease: Prospective cohort study. British Medical Journal

Patel, V., et al. (2023). Protein supplementation: The double-edged sword. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings

Putra, C., et al. (2021). Protein source and muscle health in older adults: A literature review. Nutrients

Song, Z., et al. (2023). Effects of ultra-processed foods on the microbiota-gut-brain axis: The bread-and-butter issue. Food Research International

Srour, B., et al. (2019). Ultraprocessed food consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes among participants of the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort. Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much? 

Weiler, M., et al. (2023). Is it time to reconsider the U.S. recommendations for dietary protein and amino acid intake? Nutrients

World Health Organization. (2015). Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

Was this page helpful?

Best Foods For A Healthy Weight!

Sign up for our GoodRx Diet and Nutrition Newsletter to receive the latest healthy eating advice, recipes, and savings that are most relevant to you.

By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.