Keto Coffee Culture

by Team Senza August 6, 2024

Every so often, we run a poll in the Senza community to see how everyone prefers to make their coffee when following a ketogenic lifestyle. It’s always a popular survey and it’s fun for our coaching team to watch the answers stream in.

Although caffeine has its downsides and most of us would benefit from taking a break, happily, plain coffee is one food that won’t prevent you from getting into ketosis. However, if you’re used to sugar-laden coffee beverages, you’ll have to make some adjustments to avoid drinking too many carbs.

Most keto-style coffee drinks combine freshly brewed coffee with healthy fats such as grass-fed butter, ghee, or MCT oil. This combination not only adds a depth of flavor but also provides dietary fat for maintaining stable energy levels. By incorporating these fats into your morning routine, you can stay satiated and energized for hours. Let's explore some of the options!

Plain black coffee

A 6-fl oz mug of plain black coffee (beans brewed with water in a drip machine French press, or espresso machine) has zero carbs and negligible calories, making it an ideal keto-friendly beverage to enjoy on its own or as a base for adding healthy fats. For optimal flavor and minimal toxins, look for recently roasted, organic, mold-free brands. (Mold-free coffee means the beans are carefully sourced and processed to prevent mold contamination, which can occur during harvesting and storage. Choosing mold-free coffee ensures a cleaner, healthier cup, free from potential toxins, and enhances the overall flavor and quality of your coffee.)

Nutrition Facts for 6 fl oz Black Coffee
Total calories: 1.78
Total carbs: 0
Total proteins: 0.21
Total fat: 0.04

Coffee with a splash of cream

Keep it simple yet indulgent by adding a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to your cup of coffee. For a touch of sweetness, you can stir in a keto-friendly sweetener such as monk fruit or stevia. You can also blend the cream into the coffee for a frothy, latte-like texture.

Pro Tip: Most brands of heavy cream use inflammatory emulsifiers and preservatives like gellan gum, carrageenan, and polysorbate 80 to make the product thicker and extend shelf life. Avoid these ingredients by choosing a local farm or low-pasteurized brand like Kalona Supernatural, or use half-n-half, which does not typically contain additives.

Note that all heavy cream contains 0.4g of net carbs per tablespoon, according to the USDA. Commercial brands are allowed to round this down to 0 on their food labels, but the NCs do add up if you are consuming large amounts.

Bulletproof-style coffee (BPC)

The original Bulletproof Coffee, inspired by the concept of yak butter tea in Tibet, combines brewed coffee with grass-fed butter or ghee and MCT oil. The satiating fats keep you fueled, while the coffee delivers an energizing caffeine kick. These drinks are filling, so be sure to log accurately in your Senza Food Journal to stay within your macros for the day. Check out our nutritious Coffee Egg Latte recipe, created by the Senza coaching team.

Good morning mocha

A keto-style mocha merges the flavors of freshly brewed coffee with unsweetened raw cacao powder. Enhanced with MCT oil and a touch of vanilla extract, this kind of coffee drink offers a creamy, velvety texture thanks to added unsalted butter and optional heavy cream. It can be sweetened with stevia or monk fruit extract, providing a deliciously low-carb start to your day while keeping you in ketosis. Senza's Morning Keto Mocha recipe is one of our most popular drinks!

Adaptogenic keto coffee

Adaptogenic coffees are infused with ingredients like chaga, lion’s mane, or reishi mushrooms to help the body handle stress. They are generally keto-friendly unless sweetened, but you can add MCT oil, heavy cream, or coconut cream for more calories and a richer texture. Choose stevia or monk fruit extract to sweeten, or add a touch of honey. Four Sigmatic is a popular brand in this category, but some of its blends contain sugar, so read labels before purchasing.

Dairy-free coffee options

If you’re avoiding dairy due to problematic lactose or casein proteins, you can blend freshly brewed coffee with coconut oil, MCT oil, or ghee (clarified butter). The fats from the oils provide a rich texture without any dairy. Using a frother to mix in the fats will turn it into something akin to a latte. You can also add a splash of unsweetened almond or coconut milk for a flavor enhancer. Feeling fancy? Top it off with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drop of vanilla extract.

Here's a popular recipe for homemade dairy-free keto coffee creamer that you can try or use as inspiration to create your own: All Day I Dream About Food - Keto Coffee Creamer.

Coffee smoothies (cold-blended)

Ketogenic coffee smoothies combine the earthy flavors of your favorite brew with various low-carb ingredients to create a satisfying treat in a glass. Common ingredients include:

Freshly brewed coffee (cooled)
Ice
Heavy cream or coconut cream
MCT oil or coconut oil
Keto-friendly collagen or complete protein powder
Unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao nibs
Keto-friendly sweeteners (stevia, monk fruit)
Avocado (for extra creaminess)

To make this type of iced coffee drink, put everything in the blender and whizz until smooth for a chilled, creamy coffee smoothie that's perfect for any time of the day.

Another option to enhance your keto coffee is Lakanto's sugar-free syrups, made with monk fruit and erythritol, which add a sweet flavor without the carbs: Lakanto Coffee Syrup.

For more ketogenic coffee drink recipes, search the Recipe Box in the Senza app.

Logging your coffee drinks in Senza

You can use the “Build Your Own” feature in the Senza Food Journal to log any custom coffee drink. Open your journal and search for item = “coffee build.” Then choose the most applicable option from the search results to open a list of common ingredients in that type of coffee drink. For help, watch our one-minute tutorial video on the Build Your Own feature in Senza.

Alternatives to coffee

While coffee is a popular choice, it's not an essential keto food. Many people enjoy black, green, or herbal teas, as well as matcha, chaga, and other alternatives. These options provide unique flavors and health benefits, making them great choices for those following a keto lifestyle. Check out our Malk & Matcha Latte for inspiration.

More ketogenic diet resources

Content provided by Senza is not medical advice. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only.