There isn’t a direct answer to this question. A lot of people say a little dose of cream to coffee won’t break a fast, whereas others say it will.
There are different types of diets and each type has its dos and don’ts. Moreover, you may find that some assumed specifics are based on personal preferences. Not every rule is health-related.
Intermittent fasting is an eating plan that helps with weight management and improves your health.
In this eating plan, some foods can break your fast when you take them in certain amounts. Find out if this includes adding cream to your coffee.
What is cream?
Creams are dairy products that come from mammals. It is made out of the butterfat that is taken out from raw cow’s milk. That is, it is made by skimming fat off fresh unpasteurized milk.
Creams are arranged on shelves in the dairy aisle at the grocery store. There is a wide selection of them which include sour cream, light cream, double cream, whipping cream, heavy cream, crème fraîche, and clotted cream.
What does it mean to fast?
Fasting is a time-restricted eating plan. It means to abstain from all or some foods or drinks for a particular period.
Fasting helps to support weight loss and improve blood sugar, brain capacity, and longevity. At every point in time, your body is either in a fed or a fasted state.
In a fasted state, which is about 8-12 hours after digestion, the insulin levels of the body are lower. The low levels make it better for the body to reach out to your fat stores for energy. This, in turn, aids fat loss.
During fasting, a lot of people take coffee. Coffee is a great appetite suppressor and supplies many of the same advantages as fasting.
These advantages include decreased inflammation, improved brain health, and an increase in cognitive functioning.
Does cream in coffee break a fast?
Yes and no. Yes, because strictly speaking, if you are following a clean fast, any amount or type of cream is likely to break your fast.
This is because creams contain calories. And the sweet taste it gives your body can raise your blood sugar levels, make you crave more, and further spike your insulin levels.
So, you shouldn’t add cream to coffee. Otherwise, your body will move from the fasted state.
On the other hand, coffee creamer may not break your fast if you take it in moderation. A little dose of cream to your coffee will not entirely break your fast.
It might slow down the fat-burning process but will not knock you out of a fast. So, whether or not cream in coffee will break a fast varies from person to person.
What matters the most is for you to monitor your goals and see if you are progressing.
Can heavy cream in coffee break a fast?
No, it can’t. Heavy whipping cream contains a very small amount of net carbohydrates. This is likely not to spike insulin and therefore won’t break your fast.
Also, heavy cream can be an acceptable ingredient in a ketogenic diet because it helps to promote autophagy (a self-cleaning process that your body undergoes because they’re no external resources to use for the digestion of food).
This means that heavy cream will not break your fast and neither will it knock you out of ketosis. However, moderation is key.
How many calories break a fast?
Since it is okay to add only a little dose of cream to your coffee, how much is acceptable and how much is a complete dud?
Generally, anything below 50 calories keeps you in a fasted state.
Anything above that should be avoided. This should guide you on the type of cream you should use in your coffee when you’re fasting.
What coffee cream should you use when you’re fasting?
The best cream to add to your coffee during fasting is heavy cream. One tablespoon of heavy cream contains 1 gram of carbs.
If you stay within this limit, you should not break your fast.
What can you put in your coffee that won’t break your fast?
One teaspoon of the following natural additives is suitable during your fasting period. They contain almost zero calories.
- Almond milk
- Cinnamon
- Cocoa
- Coconut oil
- Himalayan sea salt
- Nutmeg
Avoid nothing more than a tiny bit of sugar and artificial sweeteners like Stevia, as they can increase your sugar cravings and hunger.
FAQs
Can you drink coffee while fasting for gut rest?
No, you can’t. Coffee boosts gastrin and triggers gut activity, making it a no-no if you’re fasting for gut health. However, if you must have it, try a tasty low-acid coffee for minimal side aftermaths.
Can you drink coffee on the 16/8 intermittent fasting?
Yes, you can. A little splash of milk is also allowed.
Can you use coffee mate in your coffee during fasting?
Yes, you can. Adding a little dose of it to your coffee will not completely break your fast, but it might just slow down your fat-burning process. However, if you’re on strict and clean fasting, it’ll break your fast.
Conclusion
The bottom line is cream in coffee doesn’t break your fast if it is added moderately. This is especially if you’re not on a strict fast window.
If consumed too much, it is very likely to break your fast. So, if adding cream to your coffee helps you go through the fasting window with ease, it’s okay to add a little dose of it.
The most important thing is to always do what is healthy for your body and health.
Thanks for reading.
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