What Nutritionists Really Think Of Your Morning Coffee, Matcha & Bone Broth

“I drink matcha most days but I don’t love caffeine being the very first thing I give my body in the morning. We naturally get a rise in cortisol after waking, which is part of how the body gets us alert and ready for the day. So I tend to think: daylight, hydrate, eat, then matcha. There’s a lot online about having to wait exactly 90 minutes for caffeine but I don’t think we need to be that rigid. If you can’t function without caffeine the second you wake up, I’d be more interested in looking at your sleep, breakfast and overall caffeine intake.

“Matcha itself absolutely deserves its healthy reputation. It contains caffeine alongside L-theanine, a combination that has been studied for attention and focus, as well as catechins such as EGCG. Where people can get caught out is assuming anything green is automatically healthy. Matcha made with sweetened milk, vanilla syrup and honey can still be a very sugary drink. I prefer good-quality matcha with unsweetened milk, ideally alongside or after a protein-rich breakfast.” – Steph Robinson, holistic nutritionist

“A well-made smoothie can be a really convenient way to get a nutrient dense breakfast, especially if mornings are busy. The important thing is what goes into it. You want a functional smoothie that will give you lots of diversity and nutrients. Including a packet of NEWROAD 30  will help you get there as it has a blend of organic fruit, vegetables and pulses for a high-fibre drink with a rice source of polyphenols.” – Catherine Hurley, NEWROAD founder & health advocate

“I might upset the wellness world here but lemon water isn’t detoxing you. Your liver and kidneys are already very good at doing that. That said, it can still be a useful morning habit. After going all night without drinking, rehydrating when you wake up makes sense and if adding lemon encourages you to drink more water, even better. You’ll also get a small amount of vitamin C and citrate.

“The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective is interesting too, with a long-standing emphasis on warm foods and fluids around digestion. It’s important not to confuse traditional theory with clinical evidence but there’s something to be said for stepping away from the constant pursuit of optimisation and asking a simpler question: does this actually make me feel better? If warm water feels good first thing, there’s nothing wrong with making it part of your routine.” – Steph

“Electrolytes are particularly useful when we’ve lost more fluid and minerals than usual – after heavy sweating, exercise, illness, travel, very hot weather or alcohol, for example. From a hormone-health perspective, hydration matters because dehydration itself can act as a physiological stressor, affecting energy, concentration, digestion, headaches and how resilient we feel overall. The goal isn’t to make hydration complicated but to use electrolytes intelligently.

“A good example is my homemade electrolyte tonic. I make it with coconut water, fresh lime, grated ginger and a pinch of good-quality sea salt. The coconut water and salt provide electrolytes such as potassium and sodium, while the lime adds freshness and vitamin C, and the ginger can support digestion. It’s a simple way to take hydration one step further without making it feel overly engineered.” – Jess

“Bone broth is one of my favourite morning drinks. I’m far more interested in nourishing the body than ‘cleansing’ it, and bone broth provides fluid and collagen-derived amino acids such as glycine and proline. Some varieties also contain a decent amount of protein, although it’s worth remembering that collagen isn’t a complete protein, so I’d still have eggs, salmon or another complete protein alongside it.

“I also like starting the day with something savoury. So many breakfasts, even those marketed as healthy, are very sweet – from granola and flavoured yoghurt to juice and fruit-heavy smoothies. If someone is hungry again by 10am, craving sugar or experiencing a mid-morning slump, breakfast is one of the first things I’d look at. If I had to sum up my morning philosophy, it would be: nourish before you stimulate. Water, morning light, something nourishing and a protein-rich breakfast before the matcha. The basics aren’t particularly sexy, but they work.” – Steph

DISCLAIMER: Features published by SheerLuxe are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programme.