Food is an obvious culprit, but what about beverages?
What (if anything) can you drink while fasting to stay satisfied?
Water (zero calorie)
Water is the best thing to drink while fasting.
But “save the stevia/monk-fruit-flavored options for your feeding window,” she suggests.
However, the jury’s still out on how much of an effect it has.
Here’s a deep dive into the debate onwhether caffeinated coffee breaks a fast.
Here’s a guide to whipping up acomforting cup of coconut oil coffee.
One cup of Coca-Cola, for example,contains 26 gramsthat’s 1 gramoverthedaily recommended sugar limit for women4.
What to sip instead:Reach for seltzer or sparkling waters to curb your carbonated cravings instead.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can also be high in calories and sugar.
Varady says drinking alcohol on an empty stomach during your fasting window is never a good idea.
What to sip instead:Sip coffee for a quick pick-me-up, sans booze.
What to sip instead:Add some lemon to your water for a fruity kick during your fasting window.
These warming beverages should be avoided if you’re sticking to a fast.
What to sip instead:Try totake your coffee blackor add some MCT oil or coconut oil.
Does the pop in of fast matter?
In short, yes.
Consuming anything caloric will technically break a fast.
You’re better off saving your calories for (and focusing on nutrition during) your meals.
The verdict:Stick to zero-calorie drinks if you’ve got the option to.
It’s known for aiding inweight loss8and loweringcholesterol9.
Stick to zero-calorie beverages like water or sparkling water if you could.
For reference, according to theU.S.
That’s nine hours of awake fasting hours.
The verdict:Feel free to sip low- or medium-calorie drinks.
Research suggests that 24-hour fasts once per month can lowermortality ratesand lower a person’s risk ofheart failure.
To reap the full benefits of this intense fast, most people will want to stick with zero-calorie beverages.
However, you should always work with a doctor before attempting an extreme fast like this.
It too has some significant science-backed results, including areduction in breast cancer recurrence10.
They can also trigger an insulin spike.
This leads to a rapid loss in water weight.
If we ask them to change their eating habits too much, they often drop out."
And despite the health benefits of fasting, it’s definitely not for everyone.
This doesn’t apply to you if:
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised not tointermittently fast.
There’s also debate over what age groups should try fasting.
If you’re wondering if fasting is right for you, it’s best to consult a doctor.
FAQ
What can I drink besides water while fasting?
What can you drink while fasting for weight loss?
Water, tea, and black coffee are your best options.
What can you drink while fasting for blood work?
What you might drink while fasting for blood work will depend on the caregiver who ordered the tests.
No matter what approach you take to beverages, it’s important to break your fast carefully.
Here’sa complete guide to reintroducing food and drinksafter a fasting period.
