Tip The Coffee for Lifters Only Search Skip to content Menu Menu follow us Store Articles Community Loyal-T Club Loyal-T Points Rewards Subscribe to Save Search Search The World s Trusted Source & Community for Elite Fitness Eating Tip The Coffee for Lifters Only It tastes amazing it fuels muscle growth and it makes your overworked joints feel better Here' s how to whip up a steaming cup by Chris Shugart August 4, 2019May 6, 2022 Tags Feeding the Ideal Body, Nutrition & Supplements Lifter s Coffee Experienced lifters need three things in the morning: quality protein to support muscle growth, collagen to soothe and heal those abused tendons/joints/ligaments, and coffee... because coffee is delicious. Protein: You already know why you need protein, and you probably know that a blend of whey isolate and micellar casein is the best all-around choice when it comes to muscle-building protein powders. Collagen: Often made from cow hides, collagen is protein too, but it's an incomplete protein. However, it's been shown in studies to beat the pants off glucosamine and chondritin when it comes improving joint health. (See: Fix Tendons and Joints with This Protein.) So while collagen isn't a muscle-building protein source, it's still great for people who lift heavy things for fun. Coffee: Besides that whole delicious thing, multiple studies on coffee consumption show that java actually increases the lifespan via several mechanisms, including having protective effects on DNA and reducing inflammation. While all types of coffee can help extend your lifespan, even soulless decaf, light roast coffee may be better than medium and dark roasts. The roasting process reduces the amount of the antioxidant, chlorogenic acid. The lighter the roast, the shorter the roasting time, the less exposure to air, and the more of that good-for-ya chlorogenic acid survives. So let's put all those things together – muscle-building protein, joint-healing protein, and light roast coffee – to make what I call "lifter's coffee." Ingredients 16 ounces of coffee, preferably light roast 1 Scoop (30g) Metabolic Drive Protein, vanilla 1 Scoop (10g) Vital Proteins collagen peptides, unflavored Instructions Make 16 ounces of coffee as you normally do. Add coffee to blender or a big mug. Add protein powder and collagen powder. Stir with a spoon for 30 seconds or blend until smooth and creamy. You may need to tilt the lid of the blender's pitcher up a little (or leave the little cap off the lid) to allow steam to escape. Feel free to play around with the amount of coffee you use to get the flavor and texture you prefer. Option: Use chocolate Metabolic Drive Protein for a mocha drink. Bonus: Depending on the type of coffee you buy, this drink should run you around $2.35, about the same price as a plain coffee at Starbucks. Calories and Macros Calories: 147 Protein: 30 grams (21 grams from whey isolate and micellar casein) Carbs: 4 grams Fat: Less than 1 gram T Nation earns from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. Read more about our policy. Get The T Nation Newsletters Don' t Miss Out Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level related posts Supplements The Sleep Supplement That Beats Stress Stress leads to bad sleep. And bad sleep saps your willpower and leads to nighttime overeating. This sleep supplement can help. Nutrition & Supplements, Super Health Chris Shugart November 25 Diet & Fat Loss The King of Meals You've heard it before: "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!" Or perhaps you've heard it stated in reference to a long night of liver depletion and fasting catabolism: "Break the fast... breakfast!" Feeding the Ideal Body, Nutrition & Supplements Lonnie Lowery, PhD June 15 Diet & Fat Loss Metabolic Flexibility Are you programmed to be lean and muscular? Here's how to find out where you stand, and what you can do about it. Diet Strategy, Feeding the Ideal Body, Nutrition & Supplements Mike T Nelson, PhD July 28 Diet & Fat Loss Tip How to Increase Self-Control Build your self-restraint muscle around food and be more consistent in the gym. Here's how. Diet Strategy, Losing Fat, Nutrition & Supplements, Tips Chris Shugart October 8