An Expert’s Guide to Fasting and Coffee: Dr. Paige Jarreau Speaks

Intermittent fasting is where an individual fasts for 16 hours and then has an eating window of 8 hours. However, you can always customize the plan according to your physician’s recommendations. Dr. Paige Jarreau has done her research and recommends how much coffee can be consumed while fasting and what can be added to the coffee to make it more flavorsome. If you want to learn more about this, check this article where Dr. Paige Jarreau talks about coffee and fasting.           

Coffee and Fasting

There is no strict rule about not consuming coffee when fasting. Consuming anything in a limited and balanced quantity is harmless. If you drink 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day, reduce it to two cups daily. You can also drink coffee outside the eating window during intermittent fasting, which won’t harm your metabolism. Plain black coffee has almost zero calories and is perfect to be consumed while fasting. Black coffee is also recommended for regular use as it speeds up metabolism.

What about Flavored Coffee?

Flavored coffee is also allowed as long as its naturally flavored and doesn’t have artificial sugar. If you buy coffee from a local store or café, ask for coffee without any sugar or other similar additives.

Cream and Sugar in Coffee while Fasting

If you are fasting, consuming coffee with sugar and cream is not recommended. Cappuccinos and lattes have higher calories, so they should be avoided when fasting. If you have been fasting for the last 12 hours, consuming plain black coffee on an empty stomach is not recommended. In such a situation, adding a dash of milk to your coffee and some sugar, if required, is recommended.

What to Add to the Coffee that Won’t Break the Fast?

Spices and natural flavoring are harmless and can be added to your coffee, for example, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, or unsweetened cocoa powder. A small quantity of almond milk can also be introduced to the coffee to add a little extra flavor. People also add coconut water or milk to make the coffee more favorable.

Commercial Coffee

If you are addicted to branded coffee, we come bearing bad news that you might have to stop visiting your favorite coffee cafes. If you are fasting, you can order an Americano or a simple black coffee, but nothing fancy from these cafes. Every diet has a few cheat days, and you can order a small cappuccino on such days. They also have iced teas that you can consume but make sure to ask not to add any extra sugar or syrups.

Some people think coffee is responsible for increasing blood sugar or blood pressure; however, it doesn’t happen to healthy people. If you are already diagnosed with diabetes, you might have to check with your physicians about what works best for you. In that case, intermittent fasting might not be wholly recommended; however, black coffee will certainly be allowed by the doctors.