Coffee and cream have become ubiquitous combinations for people who enjoy them. Everyone knows the classic creamy and sweet latte, for example. But when it comes to intermittent fasting, is it OK to have coffee with cream? Can you drink coffee with cream while intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a diet and lifestyle choice, where individuals cycle between periods of eating and fasting. The most common intermittent fasting regimen is the 16/8 approach, where you fast for 16 hours and eat all your food within the remaining 8-hour window.
When it comes to coffee and cream while intermittent fasting, it really all depends on how you prefer to practice intermittent fasting. Some people only give themselves one meal a day and fast for all other meals and snacks. In this case, coffee with cream would likely be your one meal of the day. Others might have two meals and have coffee with cream once during that window. If this applies to you, then you can definitely enjoy coffee with cream while intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting is typically a low-calorie approach to eating, and adding coffee with cream can add calories to your intake. To stay in line with your fasting goals, you might need to adjust the amount of cream that you use. You could also choose to substitute your cream with a dairy-free alternative, such as almond milk or oat milk, that offers some creaminess without the added calories.
It’s important to note that coffee by itself can disrupt your intermittent fasting routine. This is because it can stimulate your digestive system and cause the food that you consume earlier on to pass through more quickly. So, if you are drinking coffee during your intermittent fasting window, it’s probably best to avoid cream.
Your best bet is to talk to a nutritionist or your healthcare provider to figure out the most suitable approach for you. They can assess your health, lifestyle, and dietary needs, and provide you with tailored advice on how to maximize your intermittent fasting experience.
In general, drinking coffee with cream while intermittent fasting is not particularly harmful as long as you adjust your fasting window accordingly. So long as you remain consistent with your fasting and eating cycle and pay attention to your total caloric intake, you can certainly enjoy coffee with cream while keeping your intermittent fasting routine.
Caloric Intake
The main thing to consider when drinking coffee with cream while intermittent fasting is your caloric intake. Cream can add a lot of extra calories, so if you’re trying to fasting while remaining in a calorie deficit, then you might need to adjust the amount of cream that you normally use. A single tablespoon of cream can contain around 51 calories, so cutting down on cream use can help to offset any additional calories that you’re taking in. You could also opt for a dairy-free alternative, such as almond milk or oat milk, to achieve a creamy texture without the added calories.
Total Fasting Hours
Another factor to consider is the total hours you are fasting. If you are intermittent fasting and drinking coffee with cream, you might need to extend your fasting window to make sure that you hit your fasting goal for the day. Alternatively, you could cut back on other meals or snacks that you eat during your eating window. A nutritionist or healthcare professional can help you figure out what approach is best for you.
Benefits of Coffee with Cream
As mentioned before, coffee with cream can be part of a healthy lifestyle even while intermittent fasting. In addition to providing some creaminess and flavor, adding cream to your coffee has some health benefits. For example, cream is high in calcium and can help to improve bone health. Studies have also linked cream to reducing LDL cholesterol, increasing HDL cholesterol, and reducing inflammation. Plus, cream is also a good source of essential vitamins and minerals.
Health Risks of Coffee with Cream
When drinking coffee with cream while intermittent fasting, it’s important to be aware of the potential health risks. One of the main risks is an increase in calories that could throw off your intermittent fasting and weigh-loss goals. Cream is also high in saturated fat, so too much can increase your risk of heart disease. Finally, adding cream to your coffee could cause digestive upset, particularly if you are sensitive to dairy.
Alternatives to Coffee with Cream
If you’re looking for some alternatives to drinking coffee with cream while intermittent fasting, then there are plenty of options to explore. For example, you could add spices and herbs such as cinnamon or nutmeg to give your coffee some flavor without the added calories. Or you could explore other milk alternatives, such as soy milk, hemp milk, or coconut milk. Other options include matcha powder, Stevia, or other natural sweeteners to help you enjoy your coffee without cream or added calories.
