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Almost anything can be made better for the gut. And today I want to teach you how to make a gut healing latte at home.

Cafe Manager

In case you weren’t aware, one of my claims to fame (insert sarcasm) is that way back in the day I was the Cafe Manager at an upscale health and fitness club in California. 

Honestly, so much of what I have today I owe to that time period of my life. It was a stressful period, moving from Minnesota to California with Ryan, not even engaged yet. I was fully in on him and being together forever, but I hated my job and yet, moved with it from Minnesota to California. 

Long story short, I hated that job so much that one day I just quit. Yeah, no backup job in mind, and no plan. But I could breathe again and Ryan was the best support so it worked for us (also, we did not have kids then).

Anyways, this is a huge story in and of itself, but why it matters for this post is because of what I ended up doing next.

I saw a “Front Desk” position open at the club. It didn’t even pay $8 an hour, but I loved the woman who interviewed me (we are still good friends to this day!), and was so excited about the position.

I took the job with the plan of becoming a personal trainer there (began studying for an NASM Certificate), but ultimately worked my way up and around various positions within the club.

And yes, right after Front Desk was a Cafe Manager position. Boom!

Making Lattes

The entire club, including the cafe, got a major facelift right before I became the Cafe Manager. And within the cafe’s facelift was the addition of Starbucks. Actually thought I had died and went to heaven when it was apparent that I’d be able to feed my caffeine addiction – for free – from Starbucks daily.

As good as it gets, darling, yes?!

Anyways, we had Starbucks employees come to train us on the espresso machine, how to appropriately make the regular coffee, and all about various coffee drinks.

Honestly it was fascinating to me!

So here we are, I learned the right way to make a latte.

And this is what I learned.

How to Make a Traditional Latte

Let’s pretend we are making a Vanilla Latte.

Step One

Get your cup ready, then prepare 1 shot of espresso. This part was easy because with the espresso machine, it was automatic. 

Step Two

Place a pump (or more, depending on preference for flavor strength) of vanilla into the cup. Stir or swirl together the espresso and vanilla.

Step Three

Take your (cold, important) milk out from the fridge and pour it into the stainless steel cup for frothing. Using the espresso machine, start from almost the bottom of the cup and froth the milk. Slowly slide the espresso “wand” up, along with the milk as it rises. The wand should stay close to the side of the cup. 

Since this is a latte, it’s mostly milk and (maybe) a little froth. No need for frothy bubbles until the very top.

Step Four

Using a spoon, pour the frothed milk into your cup about 3/4 way up. If you want to add a little foam to the top, you can. 

However, remember that a latte’s focus is frothed milk, not foam. Only a thin layer of foam should plop on top, if any at all. (The opposite of this is a Cappuccino.)

Step Five

Enjoy the beverage.

Okay, so now you know how I made a traditional one at the Club. 

But let’s create one together, for you to enjoy at home, with the bonus of some gut healthy ingredients.

How to Make a Gut Healing Latte at Home

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Do I actually think you can make your own Starbucks gut healing latte at home? Yes and no.

Yes, if you have an espresso machine. Otherwise, no, but you can get dang close.

So the way I’m going to break this down is by putting all the pieces together and then you choose which parts and pieces will work for you. 

Obviously the most important part of this are those gut healing boosts anyways.

Espresso Machine / Making

Click HERE to save these espresso making ideas for later. I made sure there was something for every budget.

These are the top 5 found on Amazon, with various price ranges.

1. Nespresso
2. Breville BES870BSXL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Black Sesame
3. Espresso Machine 3.5 Bar 4 Cup Espresso Maker Cappuccino Machine with Steam Milk Frother
4. Gevi Espresso Machine
5. De’Longhi EC155 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

If you aren’t looking for and/or don’t want to invest in an espresso machine, you can still make a strong coffee that’s similar to espresso. Consider using:

1. Moka Pot (I actually have THIS one) or a
2. French Press
3. Ninja Coffee Maker with milk frother (we have this)

In fact, I have all three.

And yes, they do make a strong concoction.

Coffee / Espresso Beans

You might not believe it, but when making a gut healing latte, the coffee you choose is important. This is because I wouldn’t exactly say that coffee and espresso is “healing.” However, because it’s one of the most heavily-sprayed crops, if you don’t get the highest quality possible, it might be keeping your healing process from advancing.

I know. This is not what you want to hear. But it’s true. No, I don’t believe it will heal or not heal you, but it (like everything else) is a contributing factor.

With that, here are four high-quality organic bean brands I like:

1. Purity Organic Coffee (they recently sent me a pack to try and we absolutely loved it!)
2. Peace Coffee
3. Equal Exchange (we also buy this one a lot at our local organic grocery store)
4. Jo Coffee Organic Decaf Ground Coffee

By the way, if you choose decaf, it’s especially important that organic is chosen because decaf is processed even more than regular.

Froth the Milk

If you have a heavy-duty espresso machine from above, you’re set.

If not, here are other options for frothing that milk.

1. NestPark portable drink mixer. This is the cheapest way to froth milk. I have one and I love it. 
2. Feverishly whisk milk in a bowl by hand. (Hey, you do what ya gotta do, right?!)
3. Use an electric mixer.
4. Traditional blenders also work. The best would be something small like a Magic Bullet of sorts.
5. Vava Electric Milk Frother

Syrup

By the way, don’t misunderstand this post to say that a vanilla latte is healing for the gut.

It’s not. 

There are just better ways to make that Starbucks latte at home so that you can also add in gut healing boosts (the differentiating latte factor here).

With that, you must know that syrups are not really any kind of health or healing. But, like you, I love them. If you don’t love them, then absolutely keep this out. 

You don’t need it. 

If you want to include syrup in your latte, check out Monin’s Organic Syrups or Joe’s Organic Syrups.

Milk

Because the milk makes up a majority of the latte, you want to choose optimally on this. 

While I realize that everyone is using Oatly’s Oatmilk, I’m going to talk you out of it quickly. Here are the ingredients in the plain Oatmilk:

Oatmilk (water, oats). Contains 2% or less of: rapeseed oil, dipotassium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, sea salt, vitamin B12, riboflavin (B2), vitamin D2, vitamin A

I’m not sure about you, but I do not want rapeseed oil in my milk.

Here are milks I would choose and recommend for this DIY at-home latte, depending on which type of milk you have access to and/or prefer:

1. 1. raw, organic milk from Organic Pastures (dairy) (Make note that this one is not going to be very accessible for many of you. I had access to it when we lived in California. And if you can get your hands on it, quite honestly, this milk is what would make the most incredible latte!)
   2. organic milk (2% or whole) from Organic Valley, Clover Sonoma, and Stonyfield (dairy)
   3. Elmhurst 1925 – I have an entire write up of their plant-based milks HERE (everything but coconut milk)
   4. Coconut Milk

In fact, here is a little video I shot at the beginning of 2020 with Elmhurst. I actually love them.

Gut Healing Boosts for Your Latte

Click HERE to save these boosts for later.

And now for the piece you’ve been patiently waiting for – those gut healing boosts to add to your daily latte addiction.

There are many gut healing boosts you could choose to add to your latte. 

Some could be added together, but never would I do them all in one latte. Gross, anyways! Also, whenever you’re adding powerful boosts like these, be sure they are right for you.

1. Immune Boost

   Ultimate IgG functions to profoundly detox the gut environment. Just Thrive’s Ultimate IgG contains 4 different forms of Immunoglobulins: IgG, IgM, IgA and Bovine Serum Albumin. There is never a day anymore that I do not include this into my daily routine. Honestly and 1,000% true! And like the probiotic, you can open up the capsule, dump its contents in wherever and consume. I never swallow this pill. Naturally, then, it can easily add to your latte. I use the Just Thrive Ultimate IgG Immune and Digestive Support. You can learn all about it HERE. And if you purchase the immune booster HERE, just use my code AGUTSYGIRL and you’ll save 15%.

   Notes for adding Immune Boost into your latte: Neutral taste, so it’s going to be super simple to add in. Pour its contents in just prior to adding in your milk, making sure to stir together completely. 

2. L-Glutamine

   I believe in L-Glutamine so strongly for gut healing that I wrote an entire blog post about it. During periods of intense gut healing, I find myself taking 15-20g per day. 15g is 1 Tablespoon, so if you toss 1/2 Tablespoon – 2 tsp in a smoothie, you’ve covered a lot of base in one smoothie.

   Notes for adding L-glutamine into your latte: The taste is fairly neutral, though sometimes I think it has a slightly sweet taste to it. I would add L-glutamine in prior to the milk so you can be sure it all get stirred together well.

3. Collagen

   Collagen provides the infrastructure of the musculoskeletal system, essential for mobility. It’s a great protein addition, and I take it almost daily, in various ways. Collagen is commonly added to coffee and lattes because the taste is neutral and it dissolves fairly easy. (By the way, if you purchase THIS collagen, you can use my code AGUTSYGIRL at checkout to save 15%.)

   Notes for adding Collagen into your latte: Add the collagen in with the steamed milk and froth together to make sure clumping does not occur.

4. Gelatin 

   People have a hard time distinguishing between collagen and gelatin. To learn the difference, read my guide to collagen vs. gelatin. Gelatin is, like collagen, is great for people looking to strengthen their stomach and digestive lining, leading to better digestion and overall gut health. Grab Perfect Bovine Gelatin Bottle HERE. (Use code GUTSY10 to save 10%.) 

   Notes for adding Gelatin into your latte: Gelatin will clump. Therefore, the way I add in gelatin is to steam/froth the milk to make sure it’s warm prior to adding gelatin. Then, add gelatin into the milk, slowly but surely, making sure clumps do not appear.

5. Ashwaghanda

   Ashwaghanda is an adaptogenic herb that you might not otherwise think to add for gut healing. Here is why I do: improves thyroid function, relieves “adrenal fatigue,” combats stress and anxiety, and boosts immune function (source). So often when it comes to gut healing, we are seeking the thing that will miraculously target the gut and heal us quickly. The gut doesn’t heal like that. It also doesn’t end up in a broken state because of any one thing. Everything – yes, everything – plays into the gut and how well its functioning. By addressing the thyroid, “adrenal fatigue,” stress, and more you are ultimately addressing the gut as well. Grab Gaia Herbs Ashwaghanda HERE. (Use code GUTSY10 to save 10%.)

   Notes for adding Ashwaghanda into your latte: While it doesn’t smell the greatest, I have found that you can add it safely to lattes. Add it in as you would the L-glutamine.

6. Ginger

   Ginger has been a staple in both Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. It’s a warming spice that helps keep digestive juices moving (aka a Carminative). It’s mostly used for nausea, indigestion and stomach cramping.

   Notes for adding Ginger into your latte: Ginger definitely has a spicy taste to it, so you’ll want to be sure it’s the right add in to your latte. Vanilla and ginger can be a great combination if you keep in mind that a little will go a long way. If you use powdered ginger, add it as you would the other powdered ingredients in this post. However, you could also use the Ginger Essential Oil from my top 7 essential oils for gut health. If you do it this way, I’d add just a drop in with the espresso so that it can get fully stirred together once the milk is added. You do NOT want ginger essential oil sitting on top of your latte.

7. Probiotic.

   So, the answer is “No, no you cannot just toss a probiotic capsule into your latte and drink up.” I mean, I guess you probably could, but it’s not ideal. Adding your daily probiotic to coffee/latte is (for many) the ultimate easy way to consume said probiotic without needing to swallow yet another capsule. The key, though, is that you must have a high-quality probiotic in order to do this (open up the capsule and pour its contents in the smoothie). I use the Just Thrive Probiotic. You can learn all about it HERE. And if you purchase the probiotic HERE, just use my code AGUTSYGIRL and you’ll save 15%. 

   Notes for adding a Probiotic into your latte: None at all. You’ll never know it’s there. You just have to be sure it’s high-quality or it won’t survive any amount of heat (the latte or definitely not your stomach acid). 

8. Turmeric

   Turmeric is a total powerhouse. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory that I’m constantly referring to. 7 recipes in The Leaky Gut Meal Plan: 4 Weeks to Detox and Improve Digestive Health use it. And I recently just got a message from someone that, so far, the Creamy Turmeric Veggies was one of her favorites from the book. Turmeric is always on our dinner table. And it’s also a very common ingredient in lattes due to the explosion of The Golden Latte.

   Notes for adding Turmeric into your latte: Remember, turmeric is warm and spicy so, like ginger, a little will go a very long ways. Add it as you would other powders.

9. MCT Oil

   MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. they  are easily digested and provide energy, support the metabolism and are burned by the body for energy and fuel. Grab your Organic MCT Oil in a glass jar HERE. ( Use code GUTSY10 to save 10%.)

   Notes for adding MCT Oil into your latte: Add MCT Oil in at the same time as the milk because in order for it to turn from oil to “froth,” you’ll need to actually froth it. In fact, many people skip milk and just use the oil. However, then it’s not a latte so it’s not relevant for this post. Alternatively, you could use the NOW Foods Chocolate Mocha MCT Oil instead of a syrup altogether!

And wait, there’s even more!

I recently stumbled upon this new product, MUD/WTR. Full disclosure: I’ve never tried it so I can’t tell you for sure, but I love, love, love the concept and ingredients. While it’s a caffeinated product, the ingredients used are lovely and could potentially be used to simply boost your latte. Here they are:

• mushroom blend (chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps mycelial biomass cultured on organic oats)
• cacao
• Spice Blend (organic cinnamon, organic turmeric, organic ginger, organic cardamom, organic black pepper, organic nutmeg, organic cloves)
• black tea powder
• Himalayan pink salt

If you’d like to look at other lists I’ve created in the past for gut-healing latte boosts ideas and inspiration, check out:

1. 46 Carminatives for Digestive Health
2. Pumpkin Pie Spice for Gut Health
3. 15 Supplements for Stomach Lining Support
4. 22 Adaptogens for Hormones

Whew!

That was A LOT of goods for one post.

I hope you love and enjoy it as much as I love and enjoy putting it together (and drinking lattes)!

Questions? Leave them in the comments below.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. 1. How to Make a Gut Healthy Whipped Coffee
   2. How I Drink My Coffee
   3. Master Gutsy Spreadsheet

Xox,
SKH