Is there anything better than a hot cup of coffee to start your day? But if you’re following a diet that includes a fast, such as intermittent fasting, is your beloved cup of coffee still allowed during the fasting window? Can I Drink Coffee During Fasting? Need that cup of joe to start your day? You can breathe easy. Anar Allidina, a registered dietitian in Toronto who specializes in prediabetes and insulin resistance, says coffee is fair game to drink during a fast. The reason? It’s mainly about coffee’s nutritional profile. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 1 cup of brewed coffee contains only about 2 calories and zero grams of fat, protein, or carbohydrates. Due to its very low calorie content, coffee doesn’t trigger an insulin response. That makes it a suitable option to drink during your fasting window, as supported by research, says Umo Callins, RDN, a board-certified sports dietitian and owner of Well Rooted Health and Nutrition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

How do you take your coffee while fasting? Insulin is a hormone that tells your body to store energy. When you fast, the goal is to keep insulin levels low, encouraging your body to burn stored fat for energy instead of storing new energy from the food you eat. While caffeine might make blood sugar spike after meals, Allidina explains that the good stuff in coffee - like minerals and polyphenols, according to research - usually helps control blood sugar levels overall. "For healthy adults, caffeine typically doesn’t produce noticeable effects on blood sugar levels. However, in individuals with diabetes and insulin resistance, the reaction can be different." If you have either of these health conditions, check with your healthcare provider to discuss what’s right for you. Do I Have to Drink My Coffee Black While Fasting? While coffee itself won’t disrupt your intermittent fasting efforts, any ingredients you add to your beverage might. "When you add cream, milk, or sweetener to your coffee, you are adding protein, fat, and sugar, which add calories and can impact insulin levels, interfering with the metabolic benefits of intermittent fasting," says Allidina.

For that reason, Callins recommends sticking with black, unsweetened coffee during a fast. Allidina is a little more flexible, saying it’s okay to add a small amount of milk or cream to your coffee if you strongly prefer it that way. As for lattes, cappuccinos, or flavored coffees? Wait until you’re outside of your fasting window to sip one of those, she says. Toronto-based Jason Fung, MD, author of The Obesity Code and The Diabetes Code, agrees with Allidina. "I generally advise that adding a splash of milk or cream is not a major problem during fasting." But Dr. Fung makes it clear that adding any sweetener is not recommended, GlycoMode glucose formula even nonnutritive sweeteners. Is It Helpful to Drink Coffee During My Fast? According to Harvard Health, if you’re feeling tired, drinking coffee on an empty stomach might give you a quicker energy boost compared to drinking it with food. However, its benefits extend beyond just providing energy, thanks to its caffeine content.

"Caffeine is a natural stimulant that can suppress appetite by increasing adrenaline levels and stimulating the central nervous system," explains Allidina. Additionally, research supports that caffeine decreases ghrelin, the "hunger hormone," while increasing leptin, the "satiety hormone" - which is something Allidina says may help you stick to your fasting routine a bit more easily. Callins speaks to coffee’s nutritional value, saying, "Black coffee is naturally rich in antioxidants and other nutrients, such as vitamin B2, vitamin B3, magnesium, and potassium." These are all valuable nutrients in a healthy diet, which research suggests might be a reason why coffee helps prevent chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain types of cancer. Allidina adds Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and liver disease to the list of conditions that may be positively influenced by coffee consumption, GlycoMode glucose support based on additional research. The expert adds that while coffee may enhance your fast, it’s essential to consume balanced meals during your non-fasting hours - which include lean protein, healthy fats, and high-fiber carbohydrates - to provide the energy and nutrients your body needs.