What can i drink with intermittent fasting

The quick read :

  • Fasting is used to stimulate autophagy (cell turnover), ketosis, fat burning and insulin sensitivity.
  • Fasting is not about starvation and dehydration — there are certain food that mimic the fasting state
  • You can reap the rewards of fasting while consuming water, tea, coffee, bulletproof coffee, apple cider vinegar, bone broth, salt and sweetener.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a pattern of fasting and eating over a defined time period ⏰. There are many different types of fasting that you can do to suit your lifestyle.

There are two parts to intermittent fasting : feeding window (eating) and fasting window (not eating). IF is not defined by certain foods, but we always recommend low carb during times of eating.

By definition, fasting is when you refrain form eating or drinking any calories. Many people use fasting for specific health benefits  —  autophagy (cell turnover), ketosis, fat burning and insulin sensitivity. Despite what you may think, fasting is not about dehydration and starvation. There are certain drinks and food you can consume that mimic the fasted state, and allow associated benefits to occur.

Below is a run through of 8 different foods and drinks you can consume during a fast to help you reach your health goals.

Water

Plain water 💧is one of the best options to drink during a fast. It will keep you hydrated and doesn't have an enzymic effect. For the fasting purists, anything that causes an enzymic effect will break a fast — for more information, check out Dr. Ronda Patrick. Water is also a great tool for banishing hunger pangs — it will fill up your tummy.

Stick to still or sparkling water. To add flavour, you can infuse it with slices of lemon, berries, cucumber or a cold tea infusions.

It's important to keep hydrated during a fast, so aim to drink between 1-3 litres of water a day.

Tea

Tea provides great comfort and can be enjoyed in copious amounts while you fast. Feeling colder than normal while fasting is normal. Tea will keep you warm and make you feel full, without the caffeine hit you normally get from coffee.

Drink herbal, black, oolong, green and white tea, without anything added. Please be aware that tannins in tea can cause nausea if you drink them on an empty stomach. You may need to shop around to find one that agrees with you.

Coffee ☕️

Yes, coffee is on the list *unified sigh of relief! Coffee is an effective appetite suppressant and can be used as a meal replacement for breakfast or lunch. Research has even shown that coffee consumption can increase ketone production and regulate blood glucose, which enhances metabolic health.

However, some people are particularly sensitive to caffeine and it can raise blood glucose levels — sadly I'm one of those individuals, so I avoid it.

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can make you more sensitive to caffeine, so you may experience acid reflux, upset stomach, anxiety, the jitters or sleepless nights. If you're nodding along to this, then try to avoid coffee or use swiss water decaffeinated coffee.

Drink black coffee, without anything added, and limit consumption to earlier in the day so it doesn't disrupt your sleep.

Bulletproof Coffee

Bulletproofing is a brilliant technique to ramp up your morning cuppa with added fats like butter, coconut oil, MCT oil and ghee. Creamy, delicious and full of healthy fats, this beverage will stave off hunger for hours, helping you reach your fasting goal.

There are mixed opinions as to whether or not bulletproof coffee maintains a fasting state. A bulletproof coffee contains many calories, and some argue that this would break a fast. However, these calories come from fat, and fat does not raise blood glucose or insulin — unlike protein and carbohydrates. In theory, this should not kick you out of ketosis or halt autophagy. If adding fat to your coffee means that you prolong fasting, or find it easier, then I would say, roll with that.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is loaded with health properties — boost healthy gut microbiome, aids digestion, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood glucose and increases satiety. Apple cider vinegar is mostly made up of water, acetic acid and gut loving probiotics. It has a very minor calorie content and won't break your fast.

Apple cider vinegar will help mute cravings and quench thirst. Dilute 1-2 tablespoons in still or sparkling water, and enjoy!

Bone Broth 🍵

Bone broth is a rich source of minerals, and will help replenish electrolytes, which are normally lost during a fast. It is also a great source of collagen, which will restore and repair the gut lining.

Bone broth contains protein, which can cause an insulin spike and break a fast. However, the calorie content is considerably low, so it will keep you in ketosis. Similarly with bulletproof coffee, if drinking bone broth means that you prolong fasting, or find it easier, then I would say, roll with that. It will help you repair insulin sensitivity, which is the ultimate goal!

Use homemade bone broth only, to avoid additives and fillers. Here's a recipe!

Salt

Electrolyte loss is a common and normal response during intermittent fasting. As a result, you may experience dry mouth and thirst, despite your effort of drinking gallons of water.

Salt is a great way to replenish electrolytes, cleanse the palate and dampen hunger. Use a small bit at a time, a few dabs on your tongue, and let it work its magic — in no time, hunger will vanish, along with that horrible coating in the mouth.

Sweeteners

Avoid using artificial sweeteners. Some people can tolerate natural sweeteners like stevia, monkfruit and erythritol, without it causing cravings or raising insulin levels. If you tolerate natural sweeteners, then you could use these sparingly in water, tea or coffee.

No matter where you are in your fasting journey, don't be hard on yourself if you don't reach your fasting goal. Some days will be easier than others. Use this list to help you get through more challenging fasts and possible break some PBs!

Like what you’re hearing?

Stay tuned for more guides, to help you with your health journey.

Take care 👋
Rachel

I’m sure you’re curious about the science behind all this 🔬 Here are some recent medical publications about this topic:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1905136

‍https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28177691

https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/1/281.long

https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/11/2814.full

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16015276

What can we drink during intermittent fasting?

Water, coffee, and other calorie-free beverages are allowed during the fast, but no solid foods or calorie-containing drinks are permitted. For example, if you finish dinner at 7 p.m. Monday and don't eat again until 7 p.m. Tuesday, you've completed a 24-hour fast.

What can you drink while fasting 16 8?

The practice of 16/8 intermittent fasting involves limiting your intake of foods and calorie-containing beverages to a set window of 8 hours per day. You abstain from food for the remaining 16 hours, though you're still allowed to drink water and other no-calorie beverages, like plain coffee or tea.

What drinks wont break intermittent fasting?

What drinks will not break your fast?.
Purified Water. Purified water is produced by processing tap or groundwater. ... .
Spring/Mineral Water. Mineral water comes from a spring that contains various minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. ... .
Sparkling Water. ... .
Lemon-infused Water. ... .
Black Coffee. ... .
Plain Tea..

Can I drink Coke Zero while fasting?

What drinks do not break a fast? For intermittent fasting, most calorie-free beverages are suitable and won't spike your blood glucose or ruin the metabolic effects you're aiming for. Diet soda, zero-calorie Zest Tea, and water are good to drink while intermittent fasting.