Intermittent fasting has become immensely popular in recent years as a trendy health and wellness practice. It’s been hailed for promoting weight loss and improving overall health. And many of those who fast also enjoy their cup of coffee, with or without cream. Experts are now debating whether drinking coffee with cream while intermittent fasting is beneficial or detrimental to the practice.
The concept of intermittent fasting suggests that it’s always best to abstain from consuming any food or drinks other than water during the fasting period. However, there are some forms of intermittent fasting in which you can eat and drink certain things, such as coffee with cream. This is referred to as the “16/8 method” of fasting, which involves restricting your eating hours to just 8 hours in a day, leaving you with 16 hours of fasting.
Experts point out that cream has calories — and that may not be what you are looking for while fasting. This could in turn negate the benefits of intermittent fasting itself. The key is to be mindful of your goals from the practice and adjust your coffee intake accordingly.
Nutritionists advocate for having coffee with cream if you’re looking for a relaxed intermittent fasting experience. When you’re dealing with 16-hour fasts, it can be difficult to stick to the practice, so having a flavorful cup of coffee may help. However, be wary of adding too much cream, as it could lead to unnecessary weight gain.
Training specialists recommend that if you are the kind of person who likes the taste of black coffee and has fat burning goals, then it’s best to avoid adding cream in your coffee. The cream adds calories, fat, and carbohydrates that can stunt your weight loss efforts.
Experts suggest that if you choose to enjoy your coffee with cream, then try to lower the amount of cream you’re adding to your cup. Utilizing almond milk or a similar option may be a better alternative, as it has less calories and fat compared to dairy cream. Furthermore, it won’t take away from the flavor.
Intermittent Fasting Benefits
There are many potential benefits to intermittent fasting, such as weight loss, improved gut health, and reversal of type 2 diabetes. For some, a coffee with cream during the fasting period may not be detrimental to these beneficial effects. However, as stated earlier, it all depends on your individual goals and the type of fasting you are doing.
Your diet is most important while fasting and there are certain rules to follow to get the best results. Many experts suggest that women should limit their daily fasting window to 14-15 hours, wherein only water and black coffee (only for hydration purposes) should be consumed during the fasting period. Men, on the other hand, can extend the fasting window up to 16 hours, and can moderately consume a cup of coffee with a little bit of cream in it.
The important thing is to remain vigilant about your health goals and the food that you are consuming, regardless of what type of intermittent fasting you are practicing. You should be aware of the nutritional content of your food and drinks, so that you can make an informed decision about what to include and what to avoid during your fasting window.
Cream Alternatives
If you are looking for a more mindful way of making your coffee while fasting, there are some alternatives to cream that may be beneficial. Coconut milk and almond milk are viable options, as they are low in calories and are dairy-free. They can provide a nutty, creamy flavor without adding any extra fat or calories to your coffee.
Organic grass-fed butter blended into coffee is now a popular option. It adds a creamy flavor while still providing the alleged benefits of butter. Grass-fed butter is packed with healthy fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that may help with intermittent fasting goals.
Coconut oil is also a smart addition to coffee, even during the fasting period. It doesn’t raise blood glucose levels and lessens the severity of insulin resistance, two benefits that come with intermittent fasting.
Finally, if you are looking for a low-calorie option, then erythritol may be a good choice. It’s a sugar alcohol that’s commonly used as a sugar substitute and has a great flavor. It is suitable for intermittent fasting and won’t add any calories to your coffee.
Is it Worth it?
Drinking coffee with cream while intermittent fasting isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s more about making an informed decision and understanding the effects. If your goals are focused more on weight loss, then opting for coffee with cream may not always be the best idea. If it helps you stay consistent with your practice, then you can experiment a bit and find the right balance.
At the end of the day, the risks of having a cup of coffee with cream while intermittent fasting are low. But to ensure that you are reaping the benefits of the practice and staying healthy and mindful, you should be aware of the type of cream you’re consuming, as well as the amount.
Mindfulness and Balance
The practice of being mindful and finding balance can help you make the best, healthiest decisions. You can practice mindful questioning and ask yourself if adding cream to your coffee is going to help you reach your goals before you decide to drink it. If the answer is yes, then you can enjoy your cup of coffee with cream.
It’s important to consider your overall goals and if a cup of coffee with cream is necessary to reach them. Always remember that if something doesn’t contribute positively in helping you reach your objectives, it may be best to discard it.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, the consensus is that it’s possible to drink coffee with cream while intermittent fasting, albeit in moderation. The amount of cream you add to your coffee should be moderate enough that it does not hinder your health objectives. You should also remain mindful about the type of cream you’re consuming, as some may have more calories and fat than others.
