12 Things You Can Drink While Intermittent Fasting

For many, the intermittent fasting drink menu is still an unexplored area. But remember: if you're intermittent fasting and drinking whatever you can get your hands on, you're throwing your efforts away.

Let's discuss the most popular drinks which are allowed during fasting and which we must forget.

1. Water

No wonder the list starts with water. Water is vital during intermittent fasting, as it contains no calories and keeps you hydrated. Drinking water can help suppress hunger and maintain energy levels throughout fasting. Experts recommend consuming plenty of water to support the body's metabolic functions and flush out toxins.

You can drink water at any time. It does not interfere with any fasting goals, and drinking mineral water occasionally during the day would be useful.

2. Electrolyte Water

Electrolyte water (zero-calorie) is a beneficial drink during intermittent fasting, especially if you're engaging in physical activity or experiencing symptoms of dehydration. It refills essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which are crucial for maintaining fluid balance, muscle function, and overall hydration. Since it is zero-calorie, it doesn't break your fast or trigger an insulin response.

Electrolytes can help sustain energy levels and support bodily functions during fasting.

3. Herbal Tea

The tea we get from brewing various herbs is also suitable for intermittent fasting. Varieties like chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus are packed with antioxidants, supporting digestion and overall wellness.

However, it is very important to ensure that the tea you consume does not contain any additives, dyes, and, of course, sugar; otherwise, you can't consume those teas during intermittent fasting.

4. Apple Vinegar

Apple vinegar also serves very well for intermittent fasting. Why? Vinegar is not a nutrient, and it has almost no calories. It's a specific acid that's good for us; it helps our intestinal bacteria and improves the quality of gastric juice.

Add one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a large glass of water. It's best to start with small doses and avoid taking large amounts.

5. Green Tea

Green tea is an excellent drink, but it does contain caffeine. If you drink too many cups of green tea a day, the caffeine in the tea starts to stimulate the adrenal glands, producing adrenaline and cortisol and affecting blood sugar and insulin.

Drinking up to two to three cups of green tea daily is advisable, but not more.

6. Black Tea

Black tea contains twice as much caffeine as green tea, although less than coffee. Additionally, black tea can help suppress appetite and enhance metabolism. Its natural compounds provide various health benefits, making it an ideal beverage for maintaining a fasting state. Due to its caffeine levels, drink black tea in moderate doses.

7. Matcha Tea

Matcha tea is a finely ground powder of specially grown green tea leaves. It is an excellent choice during intermittent fasting. Matcha tea contains minimal calories and boosts antioxidants, aiding detoxification. The caffeine and L-theanine in matcha help improve focus and energy without breaking your fast.

Matcha supports metabolism and fat burning, enhancing the benefits of fasting.

8. Coffee

Coffee contains a hefty dose of caffeine. On average, you can drink one to two cups of coffee a day, of course, without any sugar, milk, or creamer.

If you consume coffee in moderation, it is the right drink to achieve your goals. Also, avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach, as it can increase acid reflux.

9. Coffee With Butter

Coffee will give you a lot of energy, but how it affects your fast will depend on the amount of fat — i.e., how much butter you put in your coffee.

If you add butter in moderation, it is suitable for weight loss, ketosis, or increasing insulin sensitivity, but remember — drinking this drink will slow down the autophagy process.

10. Bone Broth

Bone broth is almost synonymous with intermittent fasting. It does not contain sugar or carbohydrates but is rich in fat, protein, beneficial nutrients, and minerals.

There are discussions about whether the bone broth can interfere with autophagy. Autophagy is a process where a kind of cleaning takes place throughout the body. This process becomes problematic when there is too much protein in the body. If you drink up to two cups of broth daily, the autophagy process will still occur, but if you drink more, it will stop.

11. Green Cocktails

Green cocktails depend on what we make the actual cocktail with. If we juice some vegetables, like leafy greens, we're in good shape because they'll have a lot of nutrients.

Often, green smoothies are made from more than just vegetables. To make them taste better, fruit is added, which has a lot of sugar. But if smoothies are correctly made without adding anything sweetening, then green smoothies can be consumed for your fast, but again — in moderation.

12. Lemon Water

For those who find plain water unappealing, lemon water can be a tasty alternative. It has a refreshing taste and numerous health benefits. It's just water-infused with lemon juice, which adds a small amount of flavor without significantly increasing the caloric content, thus not breaking the fast. The minimal calories and natural antioxidants in lemon water can enhance the fasting experience by aiding digestion and detoxification.

Lemon water is also rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and improves skin health. Adding lemon to your water can enhance hydration and provide a slight metabolic boost without disrupting the fasting state. Additionally, the citric acid in lemons can help prevent kidney stones.