What Drinks Are Cool to Sip While Intermittent Fasting Without Ruining Your Fast?

You’ve probably heard about intermittent fasting, a trendy way of eating that’s getting a lot of attention. People love the idea of deciding when to eat and snack, but it comes with questions. Will I lose weight? Can I still have my morning coffee? What can I drink without messing up my fasting? We’re here to answer those last questions and guide you through what’s okay—and not okay—to drink while fasting.

Some drinks have calories that can break your fast and stop your body from doing some good things during fasting. But it’s easy to get dehydrated while fasting, so you need to drink more water or other drinks without calories. Try to drink at least 2.7 liters of water every day, except if you’re doing a dry fast, which is not recommended because it can make you very dehydrated.

The rule here is to stay away from any drinks with calories while fasting. That includes sugary drinks like juice or soda, milk, and alcohol. Some people also say to avoid diet sodas because they might make your body react like you’ve eaten something.

Black coffee without anything added is okay because it doesn’t have calories. But don’t add sugar, cream, or milk during fasting. If you want some flavor, try adding things like cinnamon. There’s a bit of debate about adding special creamers or MCT oil to your coffee—some people say it’s okay, but others aren’t so sure.

Tea without anything added is fine too. Water and seltzer are good choices because they don’t have calories. If you like flavored water, you can add a little bit of fruit juice or lemon/lime juice, as long as it’s just a tiny bit and doesn’t add many calories.

Some drinks like apple cider vinegar and bone broth have a few calories, so it’s better to save them for non-fasting times. Soda, whether regular or diet, is not recommended because of sugar or artificial sweeteners. And alcohol is a no-go during fasting—it has calories, and it can make you feel more hungry.

• Who should try intermittent fasting? It’s usually okay for healthy people, but talk to your doctor if you have certain medical conditions, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, if you’re underweight, or if you’re older and have different nutritional needs.
• What are the good and bad things about intermittent fasting? Some people lose weight and get healthier with intermittent fasting, but it might be too hard for some and lead to unhealthy eating habits.
• What’s the best thing to drink while fasting? Stick to plain water, black coffee, and unsweetened tea to keep your calorie intake low.
• What should you eat when not fasting? Eat balanced meals with fruits, veggies, protein, and healthy fats during your eating time. Stay away from processed foods and sugary drinks.
• Can you take supplements during fasting? It depends on your fasting schedule. Check with your doctor, but usually, it’s better to take supplements during your eating time.

1. 16/8 Method: Fast for 16 hours and eat during an eight-hour window.
2. 5:2 Diet: Eat normally for five days, eat very little (500-600 calories) on two other days.
3. Eat-Stop-Eat: Fast for 24 hours once or twice a week.
4. Alternate-Day Fasting: Fast every other day, eating less or nothing on fasting days.
5. OMAD (One Meal a Day): Fast for about 23 hours and eat all your daily calories in one hour.

Remember to talk to your doctor before trying any fasting method, and choose what fits you best.