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Home » Coffee Lovers Protein Shake

Coffee Lovers Protein Shake

By Kristina LaRue, RDN 101 Comments

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High protein, low sugar protein shake is a coffee lover’s dream. Gluten free, vegan coffee shake recipe. Only 4 ingredients- no cream!! Easy to make for an afternoon pick me up.

Coffee Lovers Protein Shake

Breakfast smoothies and coffee are my jam which means this coffee lover’s protein shake is my ultimate fave! So coffee protein shake… umm yes please. And this one tastes like a straight up milkshake.

On a rainy day, there’s nothing I like more than sitting by the window and writing with a delicious treat nearby to sip or snack on. But as the rain falls, sometimes my energy falls, too!

low sugar chocolate coffee protein shakes recipes

So a quick caffeine boost definitely helps. 

But I don’t always want a latte or even just brewed coffee. So, I came up with this breakfast smoothie that comes with a kick of cold coffee and some cacao nibs for a pretty finish. Yay for healthy protein shake! 

low sugar chocolate protein shake with chocolate shavings on top

How to make a protein shake with coffee?

This coffee breakfast smoothie is super easy to make. Literally, toss all ingredients into a blender, top with cacao nibs and sip all the frothy goodness with a straw. We even added a how to video to this post! Here’s what we have in this baby.

Banana 

Vanilla protein powder

Unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Cold brewed coffee

Cacao nibs

coffee protein shake-- the best protein shake recipe

What type of coffee to use for this protein shake?

Any chilled coffee will work in this recipe! So pick your favorite coffee. I actually created this recipe with room temp coffee from my morning pot of coffee, but now that I use a Keurig for single brew– I often will just toss in cold brew or unsweetened iced coffee from the jug.

BTW, I LOVE Starbucks Blonde Roast and that I can buy this at the grocery for a fraction of what it would cost me if I were to go to Starbucks for an iced coffee.

chocolate peanut butter protein shakes

Let’s call this babe Coffee Lovers Protein Shake.

For the love of a breakfast smoothie… I hope you love this gem of a recipe as much as I do. Make sure to look at the notes — I included some options for toppings (I like cacoa nibs!) and also a tip for making this shake more or less sweet, depending on what you prefer.

How to make a vegan protein shake?

This shake is easy to make vegan and dairy free! Just sub in a vegan protein powder. I’m pretty obsessed with Vega sport. I’ve linked to it in my Amazon store below too.

You can use vanilla or chocolate flavor in this recipe so take your pick! Just opt for an unsweetened version to keep sugars low. [amazon_link asins=’B016D9IHZG’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’lovea0fd-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a206106d-c80d-4053-9d83-8fa4d6799e94′]

Vegan coffee protein shakes for the win!

low sugar protein shake made with coffee

Are protein shakes good for weight loss?

If you are trying to lose weight, you need this low sugar coffee shake! 

Because, yo this breakfast smoothie is under 200 calories, 19g carbs and 25 grams of protein! Protein is super important when trying to lose weight!

Amino acids, specifically leucine help with stimulating muscle protein synthesis! Leucine has also been found to help with fat loss, and protein powder is rich in branch chain amino acid leucine.

While more research is need as to how much leucine the athlete needs, much has been discovered that it’s somewhere between 2-3g per meal, with bigger and aging athletes on the higher end. Let me explain.

coffee shake that's high in protein and low sugar

We know that as we age our metabolism slows, as a result of losing muscle mass… good news is this is largely preventable! Research is showing that nutrition can affect the quality of our muscle mass.

After age thirty something {and earlier for some}, high quality proteins that are rich in leucine become even more important to the body and are needed in larger quantities.

Do you need a little pick me up? Go on you coffee lover, grab your favorite glass and the blender and get your coffee on.

creamy low sugar protein shake made with coffee and chocolate shavings

Best high protein breakfast smoothies:

Peaches n Cream Protein Shake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie

Coconut Cream Pie Protein Shake

Almond Joy Protein Shake

Almond Butter Date Shake

Peanut Butter Mocha Protein Shake

overhead shot of low sugar coffee shake topped with chocolate shavings and peanut butter

Other coffee recipes:

Coffee Cashew Ice Cream

Coffee Brownies

Honey & Orange Coffee Cake

Double Chocolate Cherry Skillet Brownie

Almond Butter Banana Bread Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

Eggnog Frappuccino

DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte

a low sugar protein shake made with coffee

 

Print

Coffee Lovers Protein Shake


★★★★★

4.9 from 17 reviews

  • Author: Kristina LaRue
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: 1 shake 1x
Print Recipe
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Description

This high protein and low sugar coffee protein shake is a coffee lover’s dream. Dairy free and vegan too. No cream and 100% healthy and only 4 ingredients!! Blend to frothy deliciousness, top with cacao for an afternoon pick me up.


Scale

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ripe banana
  • 1 scoop no sugar added vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 cup cold or room temperature brewed coffee
  • 1 1/2 cups cubed ice
  • sprinkle of cacao nibs, for topping if desired
  • 1–3 drops stevia extract, if desired

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients except ice to a high powered blender. and blend until mixed together.
  2. Slowly add ice to blender and process until creamy.
  3. Top with cacao nibs, if desired.
  4. Note: If you desire a bit of a sweeter shake, stir in 1-3 drops stevia extract.
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 recipe
  • Calories: 193
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 161mg
  • Fat: 2g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0mg
  • Carbohydrates: 19g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: coffee protein shake, coffee shake, coffee smoothie, java shake, low sugar, high protein

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @loveandzest on Instagram and hashtag it #loveandzest

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Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products we believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, Love & Zest will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items.

Kristina LaRue, RDN

Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.

Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!

If you’re a modern mama– I’d love for you to join my Facebook group A Modern Motherhood Collective!

www.loveandzest.com

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Filed Under: breakfast, smoothies & drinks Tagged With: almond milk, banana, coffee, protein powder, protein shake, vanilla

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Comments

  1. Leenisha Mistry says

    January 10, 2018 at 4:04 am

    Yum Yum !
    I would try it out for sure.
    Healthy option – Best way to keep yourself on track.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. nicole says

    November 1, 2017 at 2:05 am

    omg! coffee lovers shake sounds literally perfect. I need this in my life.

    Reply
  3. Emily Preisler says

    August 22, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    Do you think this would maintain it’s quality if mixed up the night before? I leave to workout early and head straight to work and I’d like to enjoy a cold smoothie once I get to work. What do you think?

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      August 31, 2017 at 8:43 am

      oh, I’m not so sure about that because of the protein powder and banana.

      Reply
  4. Protein Clubs says

    July 24, 2017 at 10:43 am

    Thanks for this nice sharing. I’ll try it immediately.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Marianne says

    July 9, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    Do you use sweetened or unsweetened vanilla almond milk?

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD says

      July 11, 2017 at 11:43 am

      unsweetened vanilla

      Reply
  6. Betsy Ramirez says

    March 10, 2017 at 11:07 am

    Coffee + Protein = WINNING! Great idea for an afternoon boost!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Mandy Enright says

    March 8, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    Such a great quick snack! I’m going to try this with my favorite cold brew concentrate!

    Reply
  8. Ginger Hultin says

    March 8, 2017 at 11:51 am

    A new way to get coffee in! Love it – definitely making

    Reply
  9. Whitney @ To Live & Diet in L.A. says

    March 8, 2017 at 1:29 am

    Looks like the perfect pick-me-up!

    Reply
  10. abbey sharp says

    March 7, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    This looks sooo delicious!!

    Reply
  11. Lindsey Pine says

    March 7, 2017 at 11:40 am

    This coffee shake sounds fantastic ! I would definitely make this!

    Reply
  12. Shannon @ KISS in the Kitchen says

    March 7, 2017 at 1:38 am

    I need this in my life!! Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  13. Sara | Belly Rumbles says

    March 6, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    As a die hard coffee lover, I love the sound of this protein shake. Besides the coffee, you have added my next favourite item, cacao nibs! Oh and the banana 🙂

    Reply
  14. Julie says

    March 6, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Wow!!! This looks super delicious!!! I’m a coffee drinker and love the sound of this. What a great way to get a caffeine and energy boost in one go!

    Thanks for sharing
    Julie

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by Love & Zest. I’m Kristina LaRue, RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. Here on L&Z, I share healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I'm a fan of adding veggies to everything and recipes that make mom life easier.
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