If you're one of the many people who have hopped on the intermittent fasting train in recent years, you might be wondering about the rules and guidelines surrounding this popular dieting trend.
Can you drink coffee while fasting? What about tea? And what if you're feeling a little peckish—is it really worth it to wait until your allotted eating window to satisfy your hunger?
Here's a quick primer on all things intermittent fasting, as well as the answer to that burning question: can drinking tea break your fast?
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is an umbrella term for various diets that cycle between periods of fasting and eating. The most popular method is the 16/8 approach, which involves fasting for 16 hours and eating only during an 8-hour window.
However, there are other variations of intermittent fasting, such as the 5:2 diet, which involves eating normally for five days out of the week and reducing your calorie intake to just 500-600 calories on the remaining two days.
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
There are a number of possible benefits associated with intermittent fasting, including weight loss, improved mental clarity, reduced inflammation, and decreased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes so it's no wonder its become so popular.
Of course, as with any diet, there are also some risks involved when not done correctly, such as increased hunger and cravings, dehydration, and decreased energy levels, so it's important to do your research and speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or fitness regime.
Can Drinking Tea Break Your Fast?
Short answer: no. Drinking tea—black tea, green tea, herbal tea, etc.—will not break your fast as most plain tea ranges somewhere between 2 and 2.5 calories... maybe 4 if you infuse it with fruit or some other calorie-containing food.
As a matter of fact, tea can be beneficial while fasting as it contains antioxidants and other compounds that might help boost weight loss, help eliminate toxins, and protect against disease.
Take peppermint tea for example, which helps curb hunger pains and cravings... sounds like the ideal beverage when food isn't an option, right?
However, keep in mind that if you add milk or sugar or any other type of sweetener or flavoring that exceeds 50 calories, THEN you will technically be breaking your fast. So if you're going to imbibe while fasting, stick to plain old H20 or sip on some unsweetened tea.
Final Thoughts
Intermittent fasting is a great way to lose weight and improve your overall health—but only if you do it correctly. That means following the rules (no snacking outside of your eating window!) and knowing which beverages won't break your fast (spoiler alert: unsweetened tea is A-OK). With these guidelines in mind, you'll be on your way to a successful intermittent fasting journey in no time!
And for ideas on how to spice up your tea and add some flavor to an otherwise potentially boring beverage, check out the article below! Thanks for reading and happy fasting! (If there is such a thing. ;)
