More on Bulletproof Coffee and the Fasting Protocol

I’ve made some tweaks to the regimen over the past few days, all for the better. I’ve added in the recommended MCT oil in place of the coconut oil, which has made the concoction even more smooth, creamy, and energizing. I also added in some Xylitol, a sugar alcohol favored by the Bulletproof Executive. As you can tell, when I try something new, I tend to go all-in. I like to give the recommendations a fair shake by incorporating as much of the advice as possible (without breaking the bank, of course!) Xylitol is not favored by Paleo-types but has some advantages – it has been shown to be good for your teeth and doesn’t have the aftertaste or bitterness problems exhibited by other non- or low-caloric sweeteners. So, I gave it a try. Over the weekend, I did have some GI distress by using too much (oops!) but it was minor and now I know to start off with small doses.

Without further ado, this is how I’m currently making my Bulletproof coffee (makes two tumblers, each about 16 oz):

• 3 heaping TBS of Upgraded coffee beans, freshly ground and brewed in a regular drip coffee maker with 32oz of water
• 2 TBS Unsalted Kerrygold butter (grass fed and can be bought at Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and even many regular supermarkets)
• 2 TBS MCT Oil
• 6 drops of liquid Stevia
• 2 tsp Xylitol (from birch trees; not from corn!)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Dash of cinnamon

I blend up all of the above, drinking one tumbler with my morning vitamins and glob of Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil Blend (cinnamon flavor). The other half goes into my new handy dandy Thermos Backpack Bottle . It literally goes into my backpack and doesn’t spill, making it all the way to the office without a hitch. That is what I sip on all morning until 2:00 pm, when I start eating for the day. It still amazes me that it works and I am not starving and ready to eat my desk by the time 2:00 pm rolls around. I’m purposely not 100% rigid about this. If I’m hungry at 1:30, I eat then. If I have a social or work lunch (like today!) I eat whenever that is. This is to make my life easier, not make me crazy or even weirder in the eyes of those around me!

I can say that I’m feeling really great on this protocol. I wind up having a much more manageable appetite and have lost that panic I used to have around food. I also enjoy food more when I’m actually physically hungry for it (imagine that!) The current plan remains the same – start each day with two mugs of Bulletproof Coffee, eat whatever low carb Paleo food I want between 2:00-10:00 pm, and repeat Monday-Friday. On the weekends, I’m still making the coffee, if I want it, but starting my eating earlier in the day to keep my system guessing. It also gives me a chance to make yummy breakfast foods like eggs and bacon from US Wellness Meats. So delicious! I just put in this month’s order and I am very much looking forward to enjoying that bacon this weekend. Although buying local would be the ideal, they really aren’t matched for relatively affordable quality, humanely raised meat. I keep an eye out for their frequent 15% off promo codes that are often included in their newsletters, so I feel good about what I’m getting for the money. That was a serious tangent, but I feel so strongly about supporting this type of business and getting the best food I can afford. Having good quality food on hand and ready to go has been one of the most important factors of my success with this way of eating. I feel nourished and having that sense of abundance about food helps me not feel deprived. So, if you’re not sure where to get grass fed beef or other meat in your area, US Wellness is an option worth looking in to, in my opinion.

Another note: since I’m back on the sauce (coffee), I thought it might be OK to just pick up a cup here or there. I did this twice and both times were a mistake, resulting in almost instant headaches, jitteriness, and fatigue a few hours later. Maybe there is something to this whole contamination thing? Or, it could all be in my head. Either way, I’m staying away from regular coffee. It’s just not worth it.