If you’re looking to either cut back on caffeine or just wanting to find a nourishing and energizing drink to start your day, then this easy Maca Latte is perfect for you. Packed with hormone-balancing maca, a boost of protein, and totally dairy-free, it’s a creamy, simple latte that’s as nutritious as it is delicious!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As someone who’s both a health coach working with women to heal their hormones, as well as managing PCOS myself, I really get how crucial it is to approach hormone health from a well-rounded, personalized angle. Our hormones affect so much – mood, energy, metabolism, sleep – you name it!
Keeping stress in check and making simple lifestyle shifts is key to keeping those hormones balanced and to ultimately just feel better overall. One of my favorite ways to help with that is by nourishing my body with PCOS-friendly drinks with adaptogens like maca.
This easy Maca Latte is not only incredibly simple to whip up, but it also supports your body and hormones while being a warm, soothing treat you’ll look forward to enjoying.
Jump to:
- ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 📋 Ingredients To Make this Easy Maca Latte
- ⏲️ Instructions
- 🤷♀️ What Is Maca Root?
- 🤝 Benefits of Maca Root for PCOS
- ⚖️ Ashwagandha and Maca Together Benefits
- 🧑🍳 Substitutions
- 📖 Variations of this easy maca latte
- 🥣 Top tip when making this easy maca latte
- 💭 FAQ
- ✅ Final Thoughts
- ☕ Looking for more delicious healthy recipes
- Easy Maca Latte (no dairy, with protein)
- Related
📋 Ingredients To Make this Easy Maca Latte
This non-dairy protein latte is seriously so simple! I think you’ll love how quickly it comes together with just a handful of ingredients. You’ll need a few staples, like maca powder, your favorite plant-based milk, and if you’d like an added boost to help support your metabolism and keep satiated, then a little bit of protein powder.
- Almond Milk – any non-dairy milk will do. Standard cow milk or even goat milk will of course work as well if you aren’t needing to keep things non-dairy. Use what you have and/or prefer!
- Maca Powder – the star of the show here! Read more about maca and its many benefits in more detail below.
- Protein Powder – Always looking for quick and easy ways to up this macronutrient! Protein packs so many nutritional benefits, feel free to add it if you’re looking to do just that, or omit it if you’d prefer.
- Monk Fruit Sweetener – This is a go-to sweetener as it’s zero calorie and will not impact blood sugar levels in anyway, which is pretty important when it comes to managing symptoms from PCOS. Feel free to swap this with your fav sweetener if you’d like!
- Cacao Powder (optional) – Optional, but 10/10 recommended. Cacao or cocoa powder gives this beverage a creamy chocolate undertone that pairs so well with the nutty maca flavor.
- Cinnamon (optional) – Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and has many benefits, including being a powerful anti-inflammatory, improving blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. Feel free to omit this as well, but I highly recommend to include it if you don’t mind a little cinnamon flavor!
- Ashwagandha (optional) – More info on this powerful adaptogen below
- Vanilla extract (optional) – Vanilla extract makes all the flavors blend together in a warm and robust way. I highly recommend a dash of it in almost every recipe.
- Salt (optional) – Just the smallest pinch of salt will help balance any bitterness and enhance the sweetness.
Please see the recipe with full ingredient quantities in the recipe card below!
⏲️ Instructions
This recipe has just a few simple steps that will have your warm maca latte ready to enjoy in just 5 minutes:
- In a small saucepan, heat the almond milk over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling. While the milk is warming, move to step two.
2. In your favorite mug, add the maca powder, plant-based protein powder, monk fruit sweetener, and any optional ingredients you choose, like ground cinnamon, cacao powder, and ashwagandha powder. Mix thoroughly.
3. Pour about ¼ cup of hot water into the mug. Add the vanilla extract if using and mix well using a fork or whisk.
5. Once the milk is heated, if you have a frother, go ahead and froth the milk while in the saucepan.
7. Stir mixture and almond milk until well combined.
4. Combine thoroughly until you get a paste-like mixture.
6. After the milk is heated, slowly pour the milk into the mug with the ingredients
8. Top with milk foam if you’d like and sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or cacao powder on top for garnish. Enjoy!
🤷♀️ What Is Maca Root?
Maca is a plant that’s native to the high-altitude regions of the Andes in Peru. It belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, which includes other veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale – One of the most powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and nutritious veggie family there is!
Maca is primarily known for its root, which is harvested and consumed for its potential health benefits, which I’ll share more on below. The maca root itself has a radish-like appearance and is usually available in various colors, including black, yellow, and red.
It’s commonly consumed in various forms, including as a dietary supplement in capsule form, or as an ingredient in powder form that can easily be tossed in smoothies and recipes. As mentioned previously, it’s prized for its many health benefits and potential to support energy, increase libido, help balance hormones, fight inflammation and enhance overall well-being.
🤝 Benefits of Maca Root for PCOS
Maca is a rockstar when it comes to hormonal health and personally, it’s had a really phenomenal impact on my own symptoms – so I really can’t recommend it enough! It’s especially valued by women managing hormonal imbalances, such as those with PCOS like myself, or symptoms experienced with menopause.
Maca root is believed to offer several potential benefits for individuals with hormonal imbalances like PCOS and while research is ongoing, some of the reported advantages include:
Hormone Regulation – Maca is often praised for its adaptogenic qualities, which means it may help regulate the endocrine system by reducing the body’s production of cortisol and other stress hormones. This can be especially beneficial for individuals with PCOS as our stress response is typically a bit more dysregulated than most. Maca may also aid in regulating menstrual cycles, making them more predictable and reducing irregularities. While there’s still research to be done in this area, there is promise of overall improvement in regards to the hormone-balancing effects maca provides.
Reduced Symptoms – Maca might help alleviate common PCOS symptoms, such as mood swings, fatigue, and irregular periods. As well as common menopause symptoms, like brain-fog, mood swings and fatigue as well.
Enhanced Mood and Energy- Hormone imbalances can often be accompanied by mood imbalances, anxiety, and extreme exhaustion. Those who manage conditions like PCOS might relate to this immensely. Maca’s potential mood-enhancing effects may offer emotional relief and has been reported to provide a gentle and sustained energy lift without the energy crashes associated with caffeine.
Antioxidant Support – Maca is rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce oxidative stress and help with inflammation, factors often associated with PCOS that need to be closely monitored on an individual basis with your healthcare professional.
Digestive Health – Maca is a good source of dietary fiber, which can aid digestive health and potentially contribute to weight management as fiber is an essential component when it comes to regulating blood sugar and supporting a healthy metabolism.
Sexual Health – Maca is well-regarded for its potential to enhance libido and sexual dysfunction. When combined with ashwagandha’s stress-reducing effects, it can contribute to overall sexual health and well-being.
Anti-Inflammatory – This adaptogen has an impressive overall nutrient breakdown and is high in copper and manganese, which can support bone mineral density while also having anti-inflammatory effects. Other nutrients maca has that play a big role in our metabolic health include Vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin B6.
⚖️ Ashwagandha and Maca Together Benefits
Incorporating adaptogens for hormone balance can really be a game-changer for those managing symptoms of PCOS or menopause. Ashwagandha and Maca are two popular adaptogenic herbs that are each known for their powerful health benefits. When taken together, they may offer a synergistic effect that can be extremely beneficial for some individuals, such as:
Stress Reduction – Both ashwagandha and maca are adaptogens, which means they may help the body adapt to stress and promote overall resilience. Combining these herbs can enhance their stress-reducing properties, making it an effective choice for managing stress and anxiety.
Hormone Balance – Ashwagandha and maca are often used togther to regulate hormones as they both have a strong positive influence on endocrine system. Ashwagandha has been shown to regulate adrenal activity, improve thyroid health, modulate pituitary functions, and positively impact the reproduction system. While Maca has been reported to improve memory and cognition, help with depression, support bone structure and help balance sex hormones.
Energy, Vitality, and Mood Enhancing – Both herbs are believed to provide a caffeine-free energy boost without the jitters associated with caffeine. Combining them may offer sustained energy, improved vitality, and have mood-improving properties. This combination can potentially reduce mood swings, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
Cognitive Function – These two adaptogens have been shown to support cognitive function and mental clarity. Taking them together could enhance cognitive benefits (bye bye brain-fog!)
Improve Sleep – The adaptogenic properties of these herbs make them valuable for general well-being thanks to their calming and relaxing effects. Ashwagandha in particular has long been used as a sleep aid and has been shown to significantly improve overall sleep quality, which massively impacts our overall wellbeing and is so, so important for those managing symptoms of hormone imbalance.
🧑🍳 Substitutions
Feel free to experiment and tailor your drink with substitutions based on your taste preferences or dietary needs. Here’s a few ideas for substitution options:
- Almond Milk – any non-dairy milk would be an excellent alternative. Coconut milk, oat milk, cashew, hemp, or soy. Regular cows milk or goat milk will work and taste great as well, but will no longer make this a dairy-free drink.
- Sweetener – Feel free to replace the monk fruit sweetener with any other zero calorie sweetener you prefer if you are looking to monitor your blood sugar levels. Maple syrup, honey, agave, or any other sweetener of choice will also work for this recipe, but please keep mindful that they will most likely have an impact on glucose levels.
- Protein Powder – This ingredient can be omitted as it’s entirely a personal preferance. However, a collagen powder would be a great substitution that will provide some extra nutritional value by supporting healthy joints and skin.
📖 Variations of this easy maca latte
This non-dairy protein latte can be made in a variety of ways! Here’s a few ideas that are equally delicious:
- Iced Maca Latte – Make into a smoothie of sorts by blending your ingredients with ice and a little extra protein powder for a refreshing treat on a nice warm day. Or, prepare the maca latte as usual and let it cool, then pour it over ice for a refreshing iced version – I make it this way about once a week and can’t recommend it enough!
- Chai Maca Latte – Add a pinch of ground ginger, cardamom, or nutmeg for a warming and spiced flavor. You can also add a cinnamon stick for stirring.
- Peppermint Mocha Maca Latte – Add a ¼ tsp of peppermint extract or even a peppermint (candy cane would work great too!) for a festive drink around the holidays.
🥣 Top tip when making this easy maca latte
This might not sound like a “top tip” but I recommend to make this recipe with all of the optional ingredients! Trust me on this one. The cacao, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and of course protein powder all compliment the maca root so well. It’s incredibly flavorful and feels like such a luxurious drink that you’re going to absolutely love.
Another top tip is to triple the recipe and store all of the dry ingredients in an airtight container. That way whenever you’d like to enjoy this drink again for a quick little caffeine-free energy boost, you’ll just have to scoop a ¼ cup of the dry mix out and mix with the hot water, warm milk and vanilla extract to have it ready to enjoy in no time at all.
💭 FAQ
No, maca does not naturally contain caffeine. Maca root is known for its potential to provide a gentle, sustained energy boost without the stimulating effects and potential side effects associated with caffeine. This makes it a really great choice for individuals looking to improve focus without the jitters or energy crashes that can accompany caffeine consumption.
For optimal hormone-balancing benefits, aim for organic, high-quality maca powder from a trusted source. Start with a conservative maca dosage and gradually increase it to avoid digestive discomfort. While black maca is most commonely used, each color of maca has been noted to have various health benefits, such as:
Yellow Maca – Yellow maca is the most widely available and considered the standard type of maca. It is known for its potential to support energy and vitality, making it a good choice if you’re looking for a general energy boost.
Red Maca – Red maca is often associated with potential benefits for sexual health and fertility.
Black Maca – Black maca is considered the most potent of all the maca varieties. It is associated with potential benefits for endurance, muscle strength, and stamina.
You can often find blends of all three colors of maca root in both powder and capsule form to get the benefits of all three colors of the maca root!
Maca root powder has a unique and earthy flavor that can vary slightly depending on the type and processing of the maca. I like to describe it as having a mildly sweet, caramel-like undertone with some earthy notes. The flavor is definitely not like other foods and can take some time to get acquired to. Ingredients like cacao, cinnamon, and vanilla all compliment it well so I definitely recommend incorporating the optional ingredients of this recipe if you are wanting to try it!
✅ Final Thoughts
While maca has a long history of traditional use, it’s essential to note that scientific research on maca is ongoing. Many individuals (myself included) use maca to address specific health concerns, such as hormonal imbalances, fertility issues, and mood enhancement, but its effectiveness can vary among individuals.
Before incorporating maca into your routine, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Please note that this content is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician.
If you are looking for more support, Nourished Nature is a 30-page Hormone Foundations Guide made just for you. This guide deep dives into all the moving parts that make up our hormonal health and will teach you how to balance your hormones naturally.
There really are so many natural lifestyle remedies for PCOS, so next time you savor your hormone-balancing latte, take pride in knowing you’re doing your part to nourish your body, mind, and future. I hope you found this post informative and feel empowered when it comes to your health!
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Easy Maca Latte (no dairy, with protein)
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk*
- 1 tbsp maca powder
- 1 tsp monk fruit sweetener *
- 3 tbsp plant-based protein powder, vanilla* optional
- 1 tsp cacao powder optional
- ¼ tsp cinnamon optional
- ¼ tsp ashwagandha optional
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract optional
- ¼ cup hot water
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Begin by warming 1 cup of almond milk (or milk of choice) in a small saucepan over low-medium heat until hot. Be sure to not boil the milk.
- While the milk is warming, combine the remaining dry ingredients of maca powder, sweetener, protein powder, cacao powder, cinnamon, and salt if you're using them in a mug and mix thoroughly.
- Slowly pour the hot water into the mug along with the vanilla extract and combine all ingredients until you get a paste-like mixture.
- Once the almond milk is warmed, slowly pour the milk into the mug, stirring continuously until smooth. Use a frother if you have one to create some foam. Adjust taste and consistency to your liking by adding additional sugar or water. Enjoy!
Notes
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