It’s embarrassing but true: I have been one of those people who cause a lot of eye-rolling because they won’t shut up about the miracle that is a grass-fed butter and coconut oil-laden cup of coffee.
It happened last year after reading about The Bulletproof Executive, an American tech success named Dave Asprey, and how he turned a taste of yak butter tea served by locals while he was trekking in the Himalayas into a “Bulletproof” weight-loss and life-hacking empire.
I had already heard about Asprey – and was intrigued – when I met someone who lost nine kilograms simply by drinking this cup full of fat and caffeine every morning. It was then that I became obsessed. After some internet searches and trial-and-error, I figured out how to hack my own, less-complicated version in the UAE and did so for several boastful months last year.
The idea is that the high-fat, good-fat drink (think lots of omega-3s) keeps you sated, mentally sharp and well-oiled for hours, negating the need for breakfast, limiting calories and leading to weight-loss.
And it’s true: for the first time in my life, I skipped breakfast and didn’t think about what I was having for lunch. Grocery shopping was easier; life was simpler. I lost a kilogram or two, had a ton of energy and lots of that mental focus Asprey talks about on his website. I had great morning spinning workouts. In fact, my butter coffee kept me satisfied for so long I often had to be reminded that I was long overdue for lunch.
The problem was that often this reminder came from colleagues who noticed that I had gone from a happy butter buzz to a hungry, angry haze. And eventually I realised that instead of skipping a meal, I was simply moving them forward: butter coffee, then a very late lunch, then an early dinner, then, well, basically a third, very late meal. In the end, I didn’t lose much weight.
Still, I felt mostly amazing drinking the butter coffee, if sometimes slightly nauseous (a fairly common complaint). And I still miss it – although I am pretty sure my family, friends and colleagues are happy they never have to hear about it again.
To make Bulletproof Coffee or learn about the Bulletproof way of life, check out Asprey's book The Bulletproof Diet: Lose up to a Pound a Day, Reclaim Energy and Focus, Upgrade Your Life. Or head over to his website where he writes all about his weight-loss methods and sells his own – albeit quite pricey – branded butter-coffee ingredients.
If you want to hack your own version, considering shipping costs to the UAE and basic practicality, then follow my step-by-step guide.
amcqueen@thenational.ae
