Can You Drink Coffee with Half and Half While Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting has become a popular way to get healthy and lose weight. But can you have coffee with half and half while fasting? The answer is complicated and depends on what type of fasting you’re doing.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that alternates between periods of fasting and eating. During a fast, you don’t eat any food, but you can drink calorie-free beverages, such as water, tea, and coffee. There are several different types of intermittent fasting, including the 16/8 method, the 5:2 diet, and alternate-day fasting.
What is Half and Half?
Half and half is a mixture of half whole milk and half cream. It has a creamy texture and is used to add flavor and richness to coffee and other beverages.
Does Half and Half Break a Fast?
The short answer is yes. Half and half contains both fat and carbohydrates, which can interfere with the benefits of intermittent fasting. If you’re doing a traditional fast, such as the 16/8 method, you should avoid adding half and half to your coffee or other beverages.
Can You Drink Coffee with Half and Half During a Dirty Fast?
Some people do what’s called a “dirty fast,” which means they consume small amounts of calories during their fasting period, usually no more than 50 calories. If you’re doing a dirty fast, you may be able to consume small amounts of half and half in your coffee.
Does Half and Half Affect Blood Glucose and Ketone Levels?
To test the effect of half and half on blood glucose and ketone levels, we conducted a study. We found that consuming just a small amount of half and half (under 50 calories) had an effect on our blood glucose and ketone levels.
Alternatives to Half and Half
If you’re looking for a way to add creaminess to your coffee while intermittent fasting, you should opt for heavy whipping cream. Unlike half and half, heavy whipping cream is primarily dairy fat with very low lactose. It’s a great way to get a creamy texture without breaking your fast.
Conclusion
Half and half can break a fast and interfere with the benefits of intermittent fasting. If you’re doing a traditional fast, it’s best to avoid adding half and half to your coffee or other beverages. However, if you’re doing a dirty fast and need something in your coffee, you may be able to consume small amounts of half and half. Heavy whipping cream is a better alternative, as it won’t break your fast.
What additives can I add to my coffee that won’t interfere with fasting?
Many people add small amounts of nutmeg, cocoa, cinnamon, almond milk, Himalayan sea salt, or coconut oil to their coffee while fasting to avoid breaking the fast.
Is it permissible to add cream to my coffee while I am fasting intermittently?
Yes, you can consume black coffee while intermittent fasting, but any beverages that contain cream, sugar, or other sources of calories would break your fast.
Does consuming coffee with half-and-half and Splenda interrupt a period of fasting?
The conclusion is that some artificial sweeteners are permissible while fasting, such as Stevia, Splenda, Equal, and other zero-calorie varieties that do not cause your blood sugar levels or insulin response to rise. These are acceptable options if you need a bit of sweetness in your coffee or diet soda.
