Can you drink coffee on keto diet?

We’ve recently had several customers writing in to enquire if our decaf coffee was keto friendly. To be absolutely honest, we’d never heard of this new trend that’s very popular in North America and seemingly coming over to our shores.

What is the Keto Diet?

Standing for Ketogenic Diet, the Keto Diet is “a very low-carb, high-fat diet that shares many similarities with the Atkins and low-carb diets. It involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat.

This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. When this happens, your body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy. It also turns fat into ketones in the liver, which can supply energy for the brain.

Ketogenic diets can cause massive reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels. This, along with the increased ketones, has numerous health benefits.”

Source: Healthline

Fortunately, Keto drinks aren't limited to water – tea and coffee are allowed.

Can you drink both caffeinated and decaf coffee on the Keto Diet?

The answer is, yes, you can consume both caffeinated and decaf coffee on the Keto Diet.

What are Keto-friendly decaf or regular coffee options? Does adding milk, sugar or cream to decaf coffee affect its Keto-friendliness?

Keto-friendly decaf or regular coffee comes in a range of options:

Simple black coffee (e.g espresso, americano, and iced coffee, which contain zero calories and carbs),
Coffee with cream - boosts its fat content as part of the Keto Diet. Not milk though!
Lattes – use unsweetened coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk, for decaf lattes or cappuccinos.
Dairy free, sugar-free pumpkin spice decaf latte – use coconut milk and add cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Keto decaf mocha – use coconut oil and unsweetened cocoa powder.

How does decaf coffee impact ketosis or insulin levels on a Keto Diet?

Decaf coffee is generally considered compatible with a ketogenic diet, primarily due to its minimal direct impact on ketosis or insulin levels. This is particularly true when it's consumed in its pure form, free from added sugars or high-carbohydrate creamers.

The carbohydrate content of decaf coffee is virtually non-existent. The lack of significant carbs means that drinking decaf coffee won't directly interfere with the body's ability to maintain a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose, which is the central principle of the ketogenic diet.

In terms of its effect on insulin levels, pure coffee, including decaffeinated varieties, has a negligible impact. There's some evidence to suggest that coffee consumption might improve insulin sensitivity over time, although this area of research is still developing, and individual responses can vary. It's worth noting that the impact of caffeine on blood sugar and insulin levels can be a factor. However, this impact is much reduced in decaf coffee due to its significantly lower caffeine content.

A crucial aspect to consider is what one adds to their decaf coffee. Common additives such as milk, sugar, syrups, and certain creamers can contain carbohydrates, potentially affecting ketosis and insulin levels.

For those following a ketogenic diet, alternatives like heavy cream, almond milk, or zero-carbohydrate sweeteners are advisable to maintain the diet's low-carb regimen.

Finally, it's important to acknowledge that individual responses to coffee, including decaffeinated varieties, can vary. Factors such as a person's overall diet, metabolic health, and sensitivity to caffeine or other coffee components can influence how their body reacts in terms of blood sugar and insulin levels.

In summary, decaf coffee itself is unlikely to disrupt ketosis or have a significant impact on insulin levels, as long as it's consumed without high-carbohydrate additives. Thus, it remains a suitable beverage choice for individuals adhering to a ketogenic diet.

IMPORTANT: This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. Nothing in the content or products should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs.

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