can you drink coffee while fasting | coffee with cream | bulletproof coffee | coffee + fasting tips
So, Can you Drink Coffee While Fasting or Does Caffeine break a fast?
Short answer: depends on the coffee, in most cases no it does not! However, adding certain things to your coffee can alter your fasted state.
Black coffee can seriously boost your metabolism since it accelerates fat breakdown thus leading to weight loss. Black coffee shots are common in fitness centers before workouts because it ensures that more calories are burnt, and energy levels are boosted. That reminds us, you can find out how to work out during your fasting period and achieve maximum results right here.
Some people drink coffee during the morning to suppress hunger pangs on a particularly starving day. But there is a catch to all this.
The more additives you have, the more you risk breaking your fast. Does coffee break a fast? lets find out!
Can You Drink Coffee While Fasting?
Technically No, Coffee Does not break a fast. However, be very careful as to what you put in your coffee to prevent any negative effects. What is acceptable in your coffee? Under 20-30 calories and nothing more.
The United States Department of Agriculture states that a cup of plain sugarless black coffee will contain only 3 calories. But if you choose to add sugar, cream, splash of milk, honey, and other ingredients, your calorie count may go up to as much as 40-50 calories.
That’s where the trouble lies.
Intermittent fasting works by breaking down stored up fats in your body to use as energy since you are not feeding it anything. That won’t work if you’re sipping on white chocolate frappe from Starbucks.
But what about other types of coffee?
Does Caffeine Break a Fast?
Technically no, but be sure to check the beverage you are drinking to ensure it has little to no calories in the food or drink. But there are many variables, keep reading to learn more. Coffee is ok, but most energy drinks and other Caffeinated beverages have sugar and other additives.
Be careful of energy drinks, sodas, teas and other items that may contain hidden sugar, calories, and other processed ingredients.
Can I Drink Coffee While Intermittent Fasting With Cream or Milk?
The simple answer to this would be No. While plain black coffee might be a boon during intermittent fasting due to its energy-boosting properties, adding milk can actually spike your blood sugar levels.
The goal of intermittent fasting is to make your body find its energy from the stored fat and not calories coming from carbs. A tablespoon of coffee creamer is around 20 calories, milk – 6 calories. Normally people use at least a few tablespoons of creamer or milk in their coffee. Thus calories are quickly adding up and breaking your fast.
If you really must add something to your black coffee, I would suggest alternatives like almond milk. It has as little as 2 calories per tablespoon and for unsweetened options, the sugar count is zero. So if a splash of almond milk would help you go through tough fasting period hours, you can add it to your cup of coffee. Be careful also with some plant-based milk, as they can contain sugars as well.
Does Bulletproof Coffee Break A Fast?
Bulletproof coffee or butter coffee contains high-quality beans, unsalted butter, coconut oil, or any oil with medium-chain-triglyceride or MCT Oil. It was invented to replace sugary and high-calorie breakfast meals and keep you satiated throughout the first few hours at your desk.
The Bulletproof Diet recommends adding ghee or grass-fed butter along with the coffee beans and MCT. That’s problematic because ghee has roughly 100-120 calories per tablespoon. Meaning, all those calories will end up breaking your fast.
The upside is that ghee is pure fat.
Why would that be considered a plus?
We have to look at how ketosis works. Normally your body uses glucose coming from carbohydrates as fuel. When there are not enough carbohydrates to burn for energy the body enters a stage called Ketosis. During Ketosis you start burning stored fat for energy. This means that consuming fats won’t interfere with ketosis a.k.a your body’s fat-burning stage.
Short Answer, consuming bulletproof coffee will certainly break your fast. But you can drink it if you are practicing Keto diet and not following a strict fasting regime.
Though, remember that Bulletproof Coffee still contains a lot of calories. Essentially, the fastest way to reach ketosis is still limiting the calorie intake and following a strict fasting schedule. Does coffee break a fast if bulletproof? Yes it absolutely does.
What Can I Add To My Coffee While Fasting?​
While we have ruled out most combinations like intermittent fasting and coffee creamer, some ingredients are acceptable in your cup of coffee.
A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg powder might enhance your taste while keeping your fast intact. Low-calorie, natural sweeteners like stevia or Monk fruit and a touch of cocoa powder are also okay.
What are the Benefits of Fasting with Coffee and Caffeine?
Good news Coffee Drinkers there are health benefits! Caffeine has some research that being in a fasted state, and adding Caffeine to your intermittent fasting window can lead to weight loss, increased metabolic rate, increased energy and more. There are other beneficial effects of caffeine, such as cognitive increases and quicker reaction times physically. The benefits of Intermittent Fasting along with coffee and caffeine are beginning to gain some ground. Metabolic health benefits, as well as some early studies showing less risk of alzheimer’s disease.
Caffeine may lower your insulin sensitivity and help your insulin levels. That means your cells don’t react to the hormone by as much as they once used to. Your cells won’t absorb as much sugar from your blood after you eat or drink. This will cause your body to make more insulin, so you have higher levels after eating your meals
Research shows, that small amounts of coffee and caffeine will not be detrimental to high blood pressure and heart disease. But again, always consult with your doctor based on your personal condition.
Coffee and Caffeine also will not increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Other Coffee and Fasting Tips
Does coffee break a fast if black? No. Black coffee has zero calories
But black coffee might not be the beverage to start drinking for its benefits during fasting if you’re a decaf or tea person. Your body may not be accustomed to such high caffeine intake, which might cause gastrointestinal problems and headaches. We recommend you start drinking in moderation first until you slowly develop the taste buds for it.
Never drink more than the recommended amount and since you are fasting, do it on an empty stomach. Healthy adults can have up to 400 mg of caffeine, so roughly 2 – 2.5 cups of coffee are okay. But closer to 100-200 mg is good if you don’t want too much caffeine or too much coffee in your diet, you know the jitters! But remember, do not drink coffee or caffeine if you have any underlying medical reasons not to.
Avoid Artificial sweeteners like Splenda, Equal and others as they contain harmful chemicals that can have negative effects.
Use your black coffee energy for a powerful workout during intermittent fasting. Especially if your aim is losing weight, it makes sense to slowly start adding workouts to your fasting period. Coffee can help kickstart that routine.
Herbal Teas are also good to drink, some of them contain caffeine as well such as Green tea, etc.. These are great options if you prefer not to have coffee during your intermittent fasting period.
Incorporate it into your meal plan. Do you want to start fasting but don’t know what to eat at the slated time? Consider incorporating coffee and other drinks like a smoothie in your fasting meal plan.
In Conclusion
Here’s what I can say about coffee and fasting in the end: Does coffee break a fast? Not if it’s plain black coffee, enjoy it in your morning coffee.
Can bulletproof coffee or coffee with a creamer break a fast? Definitely. The MCT oils and butter fats will end your set hours of fasting. Even Plant-based creamers have calories, and can only be had during your eating window.
Does Caffeine break a fast? Not Likely, if taken in the purest forms.
Bulletproof coffee may work for some sticking to the Keto diet. But will drinking it like a magic potion without doing anything else help you lose weight? Certainly not. In fact, it might add to your fat and calorie build-up. But if you’re looking to replace breakfast or your first meal with bulletproof coffee, it can be incorporated into your fasting routine. Follow your medical advice from your doctor if any underlying issues.
Black coffee can work hand in hand with your fasting thanks to its energy boost and calorie-burning qualities. But is it necessary to dunk coffee shots to get the best out of your fasting experience? Not necessarily. Many people find matcha tea or lime water helps them out more during those hunger pangs. For the full range of beverages that you can and cannot have, check out this page.
You can also drink herbal tea, lemon water, or other zero calorie beverages if coffee is not your thing.
The huge benefits from improving insulin sensitivity, to energy increases, to weight loss, caffeine and coffee can be of great use in your intermittent fasting journey. If you have any underlying health reasons to avoid coffee or caffeine, please follow your doctors orders.
Want to learn more about fasting?
All in all, now you know how coffee can make or break your fast. So, get started with your 21-day Intermittent Fasting challenge today!
Want to know what results you can expect? See our Intermittent Fasting Results page HERE.
