¶ Understanding Fasting and Its Benefits
Welcome back to another episode of Hashimoto's Nutrition Rx , where we dive deep into everything you need to live well with Hashimoto's and support your overall wellness goals . I'm your host , atalia Sanzo , and today's episode is all about one of the most common questions I get from my clients what can I eat or drink while fasting that won't break my fast ?
Whether you're fasting for weight loss , better metabolic health or just giving your gut a well-deserved break , knowing what you can safely consume is key . In this episode , I will be breaking down the seven foods and drinks that will help you stay in the fasted state , along with the tips on the best fasting-friendly supplements to keep you energized and hydrated .
We will talk about how things like black coffee , water and even a little splash of lemon juice fit into your fasting routine , and how different fasting goals , like autophagy or fat burning , affect what you can have .
By the end of this episode , you will have a clear idea of what to consume during your fast without sabotaging your progress , and how to get the most out of your fasting window . So grab a cup of black coffee or a big glass of water and let's dive in . Fasting is everywhere these days , right ?
Whether you're trying to drop a few pounds , reset your digestion or tap into some next-level health benefits . Fasting can be super effective . But if you're like most of us , you probably wonder what can I eat or drink while fasting that won't totally mess it all up ?
I get asked this all the time , and it's understandable , because fasting can feel a bit like walking on a tightrope . Have a splash of this or a nibble of that and boom , you're out of your fasting state .
But don't worry , let's break down what you can safely enjoy during your fast and I will give you a cheat sheet of foods and drinks that won't derail your progress . So make sure you watch to the end to learn how to get your hands on the guide what you can eat and drink depending on your goals .
Before we jump into the foods that are fasting safe , it's really important to get clear on why you're fasting . Trust me , this part matters . What you can have during your fast totally depends on what you're trying to achieve . So
¶ What You Can Eat depends On Your Fasting Goals
ask yourself what is my goal ? Are you fasting to tap into autophagy , aka your body's self-cleaning process , or to give your gut a rest ? Or are you focused on weight loss and improving your metabolic health ? Once you know your goal , you can decide if that coffee , broth or splash of lemon juice is okay or not . So let's break this down .
If your goal is autophagy or gut rest and you're trying to give your cells or gut a break , you will want to be extra strict . Even a few calories can disrupt the benefits of autophagy or trigger your gut to start working again . So in this case you really can't have anything with calories no coffee with cream , no gum , no bone broth , nada .
You will be sticking to unflavored water and unsweetened herbal tea to make sure your body stays in that repair mode . Now , if your goal is weight loss or metabolic health , like improving insulin sensitivity , you have a little bit more flexibility .
The goal here is to keep your blood sugar and insulin low , which means you can have a few things that might contain minimal calories , as long as they don't spike insulin or disrupt fat burning Think black coffee or even small splash of heavy cream . Not bad , right , okay ?
With that in mind , let's jump into the seven foods and drinks you can have during a fast without breaking it . Number one is water . This one is no-brainer . Water is your best friend while fasting . You can drink as much as you want , and
¶ 7 foods and drinks you can have during a fast without breaking it
not only it will keep you hydrated , but it will also help flush out toxins and keep things running smoothly . Help flush out toxins and keep things running smoothly . Staying hydrated is key , especially since fasting can dehydrate you quicker than you think . If you're not into plain water , try mixing it up with some sparkling water .
Just make sure it's unflavored and unsweetened . Or add a squeeze Small squeeze of lemon is totally fine . It's barely any calories and won't mess up with your fasting state . The second drink that won't break your fast is black coffee . If you can't imagine starting your day without coffee , I've got good news for you Black coffee is totally fasting approved .
Why it won't break your fast , you ask ? Well , because black coffee has virtually no calories and won't cause an insulin spike , so it keeps you in the fat-burning zone . Coffee is pretty much calorie-free and can even enhance some fasting benefits like fat burning and mental clarity . That said , you have to drink it black Adding sugar , cream or milk .
That's a no-go if you're trying to stick to fasting . However , if your goal is more about weight loss than autophagy or gut rest , you might be able to get away with a teeny splash of heavy cream or MTC oil , but don't overdo it . The third drink that won't break your fast is tea . Why it won't break your fast , you ask ?
Well , because tea without any add-ins is calorie-free and won't disrupt your fast . Plus , it can offer extra health benefits like antioxidants and appetite suppression . Whether you're a fan of green tea , herbal tea or black tea , these are great options to sip on during fast , just like coffee . It's key that you drink them plain , with no added sweeteners or milk .
Some teas , like green tea , even come with added benefits like boosting metabolism and enhancing fat oxidation . And if you're dealing with hunger surges , peppermint tea can be soothing and help curb appetite . Fourth drink or liquid that can be used during fasting is apple cider vinegar , acv . You have probably heard all about the magic of apple cider vinegar by now .
Some people swear by it to help with digestion and blood sugar control . When diluted in water , one to two tablespoons of ACV is totally fine during a fast , especially if you're focused on weight loss or metabolic health . Why it won't break your fast , you ask ? Because ACV has minimal calories and won't spike insulin .
In fact , it might help keep your blood sugar stable , which is a bonus . During fasting , acv can even help curb hunger and balance blood sugar , making it easier to power through your fasting window . Just be sure to dilute it , as a straight-up ACV can be harsh on your teeth and stomach .
The fifth drink that you can use during fasting is unflavored electrolytes . Fasting can throw your electrolytes balance off , especially if you're fasting for longer periods . Sodium , potassium and magnesium are crucial for muscle functions , nerve signaling and staying hydrated . Why they won't break your fast , you would ask .
Well , because electrolytes have no calories and don't trigger an insulin response , so they won't interfere with your fasting state . If you're doing a longer fast or feeling off , you might want to supplement with some unflavored electrolytes , but make sure that they don't contain any sweeteners or additives . Number six bone broth .
Okay , this one is a bit of a gray area . Bone broth contains calories and protein , so technically it can break a fast . However , if you're doing an extended fast , like 48 hours or more , having a little bone broth might actually help keep you going without completely derailing your fast . Why it might not break your fast , you ask .
Well , while bone broth contains calories in small amounts , it can help you during longer fasts without causing a big insulin spike . Bone broth provides electrolytes and amino acids that can support your muscles and energy levels during longer fasts .
For shorter fasts 16 to 24 hours you'll probably want to avoid it , but for longer fasts , a small amount like half a cup can be beneficial . Number seven salt . Yep , plain old salt is super important when you're fasting .
Adding a pinch of salt to your water or sipping on an electrolyte drink with sodium can prevent headaches , muscle cramps and fatigue , which are all common symptoms when your electrolytes are out of whack . Why it won't break your fast , you ask ?
Well , because salt has no calories and it's crucial for maintaining electrolyte balance during fasting , especially for longer periods . Plus , sol won't trigger digestion or an insulin response , so you can use it freely to help maintain your energy and hydration levels . Now let's talk about best fasting supplements .
If you're serious about fasting and you want to keep your energy level up , you might consider adding some supplements to your routine . The trick is to choose ones that don't interfere with your fasting state by triggering
¶ Fasting Supplements
insulin or digestion . Here are some of the best fasting-friendly supplements . Number one electrolytes Sodium , potassium and magnesium . As I mentioned earlier , electrolytes are essential during fasting , especially if you're fasting for long periods or sweating a lot . They won't break your fast , but they will keep you feeling good and prevent dehydration .
Number two collagen peptides . Collagen is great for your skin , joint and gut health , but it does contain some calories . If you're fasting for metabolic health or doing an extended fast , adding a small amount of unflavored collagen to your water or coffee might be okay . Next is green tea extract . If you want to boost your fat burning , green tea extract can help .
It contains EGCG , an antioxidant that may enhance autophagy and fat oxidation . Plus , it won't break your fast . Next up is apple cider vinegar . Acv deserves yet another shout out here . It's low in calories and can help stabilize blood sugar levels , making it a popular choice during fasting . And finally , probiotics .
If gut health is your priority , you can still take probiotics during fasting . Just make sure they don't contain any prebiotics , which are essentially fibers or sugars , as those can break your fast . Oh , and another thing I forgot to mention is vitamin D . This vitamin is great for supporting your immune system and overall health . You can take it while fasting .
Just make sure you're not pairing it with a fat-heavy meal if you're trying to stick to a strict fast . So so , to summarize , fasting can be an incredible tool for improving your health , but knowing what you can and can't consume is key to staying on track , whether you're fasting for weight loss , gut rest or autophagy .
The foods and drinks we covered can help you stay in a fasted state without derailing your progress . Just remember what works for you might depend on your specific goals . Stick to the basics , listen to your body and you will be fasting like a pro in no time .
Guys , if you enjoyed this episode , please consider subscribing to the show so you will get notified every time an episode like this goes live . Until next time , stay nourished .
