Types of Coffee Allowed While Fasting
When it comes to fasting and enjoying an occasional cup of coffee for a boost of energy, you will want to be sure that you are choosing the appropriate type of coffee. As with all other types of food or beverages, when fasting you need to be mindful of what you are consuming. Thankfully there are several types of beverages including coffee that can be consumed while fasting.
Finding a coffee that is both tasty and compliant with fasting protocol can be a challenge. However, there are a few different options that can help you stay fueled while maintaining your fasting goals. For those who are fasting, whether it’s short or extended duration, plain black coffee is one of the most popular and effective options.
Black coffee is an unsweetened and unadulterated form of the beverage. Black coffee contains minimal calories and helps to eliminate distractions and sugar cravings, allowing you to better focus on your goal. It can also be pleasant to the taste for those who enjoy a slightly bitter flavor.
In addition to plain black coffee, you can also partake in the popular drink Bulletproof Coffee. This type of coffee is prepared by blending medium-roast coffee — preferably organic — with 2 tablespoons of grass-fed unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil or coconut oil, or both.
Although you may be consuming fats in this form, bulletproof coffee is actually lower in calories than regular black coffee. It is a popular way to supplement ketogenic diets and may offer some gut health-promoting fiber.
Coffee with the addition of monk fruit sweetener may also be consumed while fasting. Monk fruit is a natural sweetener derived from a small Melon-like fruit and is often blended with stevia, erythritol, or both to promote sweetness.
Monk fruit sweetener is lower in calories than other sweeteners, contains zero grams of sugar, and helps to reduce sugar cravings. Monk fruit sweetener also provides antioxidants, which can help support immune health.
Finally, an herbal tea mix featuring the adaptogen- and caffeine-free Herbaldrive blend may be the most appropriate beverage choice for those who are fasting. This can provide a warming and comforting feeling when consumed, and no caffeine will enter the system.
Benefits of Drinking Coffee While Fasting
Drinking coffee while fasting results in numerous benefits such as improved focus and clarity, suppressed appetite, and elevated energy levels. As a result, it can help improve productivity and ensure that you remain motivated throughout the day.
Coffee can also help to provide much-needed hydration while fasting. Despite its dark and potent flavor, it is still composed of water and can help to keep you lubricated and refreshed.
Coffee is also very versatile, and can be enjoyed several different ways. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon can kick up the flavor, while adding a splash of MCT oil can help to provide macro and micronutrients that may not be consumed while fasting.
Risks Associated with Drinking Coffee During a Fast
Although coffee can provide a lot of potential health benefits and can make fasting a lot easier, it is important to remember that it is still a stimulant. As a result, it can affect the quality of sleep that you are able to achieve throughout the day. In addition to this, too much coffee can cause feelings of jitteriness, restlessness, and anxiety.
It is important to remember that caffeine is a diuretic. Diuretics increase the excretion of fluids and minerals, resulting in dehydration. When fasting, it is important to be mindful of the amount of coffee that you are consuming throughout the day to avoid any risks associated with dehydration.
Timing of Coffee While Fasting
The timing of coffee intake is also important when it comes to successful fasting. The most effective time to consume coffee is within the first hour of waking up. Consuming coffee in the morning can help reduce feelings of hunger and fatigue and can help to improve focus and mental clarity.
It is important to reduce consumption of coffee as the day progresses, as it may disturb your sleep quality. Too much coffee too late in the day can disrupt natural circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances. It may be better to opt for caffeine-free herbal blends or plain black coffee in the afternoon and early evening.
Conclusion
When fasting, there are a few different types of coffee that can be consumed in order to reduce hunger and fatigue. Black coffee, coffee with monk fruit sweetener, and coffee with grass-fed butter and MCT oil can all be beneficial when increasing energy levels. Knowing when to enjoy coffee and how much to consume can also help reduce the risk of dehydration and keep you from losing your focus throughout the day.
