What Does Kelly Clarkson Put in Her Coffee Every Morning? Unpacking the "Coffee Loophole"

October 3, 2025 •

4 min read

In a recent interview, Kelly Clarkson revealed her morning coffee ritual, which involves enhancing her brew with simple, metabolism-supporting ingredients. Her unique concoction has garnered significant attention, inspiring many to question what exactly Kelly Clarkson puts in her coffee every morning. This morning ritual is part of a larger lifestyle shift that has contributed to her recent weight loss and health transformation.

Quick Summary

Kelly Clarkson adds MCT oil, cinnamon, lemon juice, and occasionally other spices to her morning coffee, a ritual designed to boost metabolism and control appetite. She emphasizes that this is a healthy habit, not a diet shortcut, and should be paired with balanced meals and regular activity for best results.

Key Points

Enhanced Brew: Kelly Clarkson adds MCT oil, cinnamon, and sometimes lemon juice, turmeric, or cayenne pepper to her morning black coffee.
Metabolism Boost: MCT oil provides quick energy and boosts metabolism, while cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar to minimize cravings.
Appetite Control: The combination of MCT oil and cinnamon can increase satiety, helping to manage appetite and reduce mid-morning snacking.
Holistic Approach: Her coffee routine is just one small part of her overall wellness strategy, which includes a balanced diet, exercise, and medical guidance.
Not a Shortcut: The "coffee loophole" is not a magic weight-loss solution; it is a supportive ritual for a healthy lifestyle.
Listen to Your Body: When trying the recipe, start with small amounts of MCT oil and other additives to ensure your body tolerates them.
Pair with Nutrition: The enhanced coffee should supplement, not replace, a nutritious and balanced breakfast.

The Viral 'Coffee Loophole'

The term "coffee loophole" has been trending online, especially on social media platforms like TikTok, to describe a morning drink that combines black coffee with specific ingredients. The aim is to create a beverage that curbs appetite, boosts metabolism, and supports fat metabolism. While the term is a social media buzzword, the principles behind adding metabolism-supporting ingredients to coffee have been recognized by nutritionists as aligning with sound science. Kelly Clarkson has been transparent about her journey, confirming that her coffee routine is a small part of a much larger, doctor-guided wellness plan.

The Ingredients in Kelly Clarkson's Coffee

Based on segments and interviews, Kelly Clarkson typically includes the following ingredients in her morning coffee:

MCT oil (Medium-Chain Triglyceride oil): This is a healthy fat derived from palm kernel and coconut oil. The body can rapidly convert MCTs into ketones, providing a quick source of energy. This can help promote feelings of fullness and support fat burning.
Cinnamon: This spice is known for its ability to help balance blood sugar levels, which can minimize cravings. It also adds a naturally sweet flavor to the coffee, reducing the need for added sugar. Cinnamon is also high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Lemon Juice: Some versions of the recipe, which Clarkson mentions, include a splash of lemon juice. Lemon juice adds a refreshing kick and is believed to aid in digestion.
Other Optional Spices: For an adventurous kick and an extra metabolism boost, Clarkson has sometimes mentioned adding turmeric or cayenne pepper.

Comparing Standard Coffee with Clarkson's Brew


Feature	Traditional Coffee (Black)	Kelly Clarkson's Enhanced Brew	Expert Takeaway
Energy Source	Quick caffeine spike followed by a potential crash.	Slower, steadier energy release due to the healthy fats in MCT oil.	The addition of MCT oil can stabilize energy levels and improve focus.
Appetite Control	Caffeine can act as a temporary appetite suppressant.	Enhanced appetite control due to MCT oil increasing satiety and cinnamon helping to regulate blood sugar.	This combination may help you feel fuller longer, reducing morning snacking.
Taste Profile	Bitter and roasted flavor.	A more complex flavor profile with a woody sweetness from cinnamon and a refreshing tang from lemon juice.	A flavorful way to improve coffee without adding high-calorie sugars.
Metabolic Boost	Contains caffeine, which can slightly boost metabolism.	A synergistic effect with MCT oil, cinnamon, and optional spices providing a more noticeable, though still modest, metabolic kick.	All ingredients contribute to the metabolic-boosting effect, but it's not a miracle cure.
Key Caveats	No special additions, but can be high in calories with added sugar and cream.	May cause digestive upset if too much MCT oil is used initially. Lemon juice can be irritating for some.	Start with small amounts of MCT oil and listen to your body.

The Role of Context: Beyond the Mug

It is crucial to understand that the "coffee loophole" is not a magic bullet for weight loss. As Clarkson herself has emphasized, this morning routine is a small, smart change within a broader, balanced approach to health. Her success is attributed to several factors:

Doctor-Guided Plan: A medical professional diagnosed her with insulin resistance, for which she received prescribed medication. This is a significant factor often missing from the online narrative.
Balanced Mediterranean-Style Diet: Clarkson follows a diet rich in lean proteins, vegetables, and healthier carbohydrates, while reducing processed foods and sugars.
Consistent Activity: Whether it's walking in New York City or engaging in other enjoyable physical activities, consistent movement is a key part of her regimen.
Prioritizing Health over Aesthetics: Her motivation was primarily health-related, to feel better and address her thyroid and insulin issues.

How to Implement This Healthier Coffee Ritual

If you're inspired by this approach, here's a safe way to try it out:

Start with Black Coffee: Begin with a base of freshly brewed, unsweetened black coffee. This keeps the calories low and maximizes the benefits of the additives.
Introduce Ingredients Gradually: Don't add everything at once. Start with a pinch of cinnamon or a small amount of MCT oil. Many sources recommend starting with just a teaspoon of MCT oil to see how your body reacts before increasing the dosage.
Use a Blender: For a smoother, frothy texture, blend the coffee with the MCT oil. This helps to emulsify the ingredients and prevent the oil from separating.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds. Not everyone tolerates lemon juice on an empty stomach, and too much MCT oil can cause digestive discomfort.
Pair with Healthy Meals: This enhanced coffee is a supplement to, not a replacement for, a nutritious breakfast. It can help bridge the gap until lunch by promoting satiety.

Conclusion

What does Kelly Clarkson put in her coffee every morning? Her mix of black coffee, MCT oil, cinnamon, and sometimes lemon juice or cayenne pepper is a smart and flavorful way to enhance her morning routine. However, it is essential to recognize that this is a holistic approach to wellness, not a standalone weight-loss hack. Her journey is a testament to the power of consistent, balanced habits, medical guidance, and mindful choices. The celebrity's "coffee loophole" is a simple but effective example of how small dietary adjustments can support broader health goals when paired with regular exercise and a nutrient-dense diet. As with any health trend, the key is moderation and listening to what works best for your individual body and lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adding MCT oil to coffee helps the body burn fat for energy by producing ketones, which provides a clean and sustained energy boost, enhancing mental clarity and focus.

Cinnamon adds a naturally sweet flavor without extra calories and helps regulate blood sugar levels, which can reduce cravings and aid in appetite control throughout the morning.

No, the 'coffee loophole' is not a guaranteed weight-loss solution. It is a supplementary ritual that can support a healthy diet and exercise regimen but is not a replacement for them.

In moderation, yes, but it is important to start with small amounts and listen to your body. Too much MCT oil can cause digestive issues, and lemon juice can be irritating for some people's stomachs, especially on an empty one.

For optimal results, it is best to use unsweetened black coffee as the base. This keeps the calorie count low and avoids added sugars that can negate the metabolic benefits of the other ingredients.

In addition to cinnamon, Kelly Clarkson has mentioned adding a pinch of turmeric or cayenne pepper. These spices are known to have metabolism-boosting properties.

To get a creamy, well-blended texture and prevent the oil from separating, it is recommended to combine all the ingredients in a blender for about 10-15 seconds until frothy.