What drinks while fasting?

[LetMeLayAmongTheStars]

I am looking to try 16:8, obviously know I will have to give up my morning cuppa (can’t take it without milk&sugar) but what drinks are allowed?
Very weak squash?
Herbal teas?

It's difficult to find a definitive view on this. If you're really strict then it should just be water but if you are fasting for weight loss (rather than gut rest for example) then most people think very low calorie drinks such as black coffee or herbal teas are okay.

Check this article out (it's from the Zero fasting app)

www.zerofasting.com/does-coffee-break-your-fast/

Water
Black coffee or tea
Herbal or fruit teas can cause an insulin spike

I have been drinking hot water with a slice of lemon. Hoping that's ok as I can't stomach black tea or coffee. I slice several lemons in one go, and pop them in a freezer bag. Then I just take out one as I need it (the boiling water defrosts it really quickly obviously) It's actually nice and I'm used to it now, I drink about 3 mugs of that until midday when I break my fast with a coffee (with milk), and then have my lunch at 1pm. I'm hoping this is ok!

Drop of cream or milk should be fine - but I try hard not to .. some days can't help it as too knackered and need a proper cuppa .. a lot of long term intermittent fasters like me would say from the research and podcasts you can deduce that the general consensus is under 50 cals is ok so few tablespoons of milk would be ok- I would go along with this in maintenance but also would say when in weight loss mode stick to zero. Also take care when breaking fast - not too much carbs - eggs are perfect and then wait for a half an hour so you don't end up over eating - sparkling water or plain soda is great to drink at this point to slow down temptation to over eat as you break fast - I lost seven stone btw xx

@Zipadeedoodah I'm confident I could do OMAD if I could have a couple of coffees (with cream - as combining low carb / keto) - would you think I'd still lose weight? I have prob 6 stone to lose - if not more (too scared to think about it!!). Thank you for any advice!

I read that Jason Fung says if a bit of milk in your tea helps you to stick to the fast then it's ok. I have a really small splash.....can't bear black tea and can't fast with tea!

@LittlePearl actually, I have his book The Obesity Code & I think he does say that. Tbh I can't do it without - at least for now - so I'll carry on. I've only just started, so maybe I'll manage without at some point.

Black coffee and water. Like a previous poster says lots of things can cause an insulin spike.
It has taken me a loooooong time to grow to like black coffee!

Would diet soft drinks cause an insulin spike then? Because of the artificial sweeteners?

Can I answer with a question @LetMeLayAmongTheStars: What's the goal of your fasting? Lots of people fast for different reasons: Religious, weight loss, curiosity, fat burning, etc.

Depending on WHY you're doing the fast will help decide whether or not a drink (other than water) breaks a fast, although the guidance from @OverByYer is pretty safe in almost all situations.

From what I've seen lately, most people are fasting for some kind of health reason, either weight loss or burning fat or they're just curious to know if you can run 100 miles without eating. (You can.)

The general rule for what's OK to drink while you're aiming for a performance or weight loss goal will be low to no sugars, so that knocks out even weak squash.

@Zipadeedoodah & @QueenOfOversharing those methods (a couple of drinks instead of one, and all of 'em low calorie) with the goal of losing weight seem pretty sound. The biggest thing I noticed doing a full-on 5 Day Water Fast was not an intense hunger, but just that I had so much time on my hands.

As far as fat & fasting, I wrote this up as a more in-depth dive specifically for the butter coffee idea people are using now. May be useful to you, hope it helps.

~Nik

www.paleotreats.com/blogs/paleo-desserts-and-paleo-recipes/fat-fasting-should-you-drink-butter-coffee

I dont like coffee, and i dont mind black tea as long as i have 1 sugar in (which is a no when fasting)
So i just have plain water
Milk, cream, lemon slices all activate insulin (milk and cream is a food substance) so i dont have them. I think at the beginning if you really struggle then try with 1 cup of tea or coffee or lemon water in the morning for the first week then cut it out when you are more settled into fasting

I drink red bush tea, that's my drink of choice anyway, it's good cold as well

I'm doing IF, and vary between 20:4 and 16:18. (I take each day as it comes, and if I can leave off eating until the evening, then I do).
I have my usual - tea with unsweetened soya milk (though not milky). Maybe a black coffee for variety, or a ginger herbal. Jason Fung in 'Complete Guide to Fasting' says a splash of milk is ok, especially if it helps compliance.

Since my cuppas are a key bonus of my working day, I am not prepared to give them up!

16:8, obviously... There are not that many hours in the day!

I was always taught that the only drinks you can have in a fast is black tea or coffee, green tea, or water. All these things like cream, milk, sugar, squash, lemon slices will break your fast by creating an insulin spike.