In other words - does stevia break your fast? Stevia has quickly risen to a top source of sweetener in many low carb, low sugar treats in order to boost the sweetness profile without the carbohydrates. But what about when you add it to your Keto Coffee with Intermittent Fasting? Will it break your fast or will it hurt your wellness goals?
Today, I'm breaking down the science-y deets on Stevia and what you need to know before you add it to your morning cup of Joe!🤓
Does Stevia Break A Fast?
Pure stevia does not contain any carbohydrates or sugars, which means that it will not cause an insulin response and break your fast when you add it to your coffee. With the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle protocols, the main focus is to help stabilize blood glucose levels in order to reduce the insulin response. Insulin is the "storing" hormone, which means that when it is increased, your body will also be in the increased "storing" mode. The reduced insulin response better shifts your body into fat burning mode vs. fat storing mode. Therefore, the fact that stevia does not have an effect on increasing insulin, it will not break your fast.
Is Stevia BAD For You?
With the increased understanding in the harm of table sugar and glucose/fructose in concentrated forms (ie added sugars), many of us are shifting toward better options of boosting the sweetness of our meals. Because stevia doesn't have the same effect on insulin and blood glucose levels as other added sugars, it appears to be a better option.
However, my concern with swapping stevia with all of the added sugars in your lifestyle is that it doesn't address the main problem for why you were craving sugar in the first place. Having sugar cravings and giving into sugar cravings is so much more than just a form of discipline. These cravings can be one of three signs (and possibly much more):
1. Your cells may not be Metabolically Fit: Your body will continue to be inefficient at tapping into fat burning mechanisms if you don't address this. Learn how HERE.
2. You're physically or emotionally stressed: Don't think you're stressed? Stress isn't just emotional. Stress can be the result of not walking enough, working out too much, not absorbing negative ions and getting poor sleep to name a few. Address these by going through my free Hormone Balancing series on YouTube HERE.
3. You're not following proper Nutrient Timing: I discuss this in detail in The Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle. Proper Nutrient Timing is essential to balancing blood glucose levels, reducing cravings and increasing fat burning mechanisms. Learn how HERE.
How to Wean Yourself Off Stevia
Swapping regular sugar out for stevia is a better initial substitution. However, ideally you want to reduce sugar cravings overall in order to best achieve your wellness goals and feel GOOD again.
If you are used to adding sugar, sweetener or syrup to your coffee, initially swapping your typical vanilla latte (or equivalent) for Keto Coffee with stevia is a great place to start. (Bonus: it won't break your fast either!)
As you implement the satiating strategies within the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle, you can begin to reduce your stevia usage in your morning cup of Keto Coffee (or tea!) to 3/4, then 1/2, then 1/4 the original amount. I suggest reducing it by 1/4 each week so that the change isn't too much of a shock on your system.
This gradual reduction of stevia and sweeteners will help your body adjust to less sweetener so that you don't even CRAVE any sweetener in the future!
Looking to boost your fat burning mechanisms, increase your energy levels and feel GOOD again?! Join thousands of men and women around the world and use the healing protocols in The Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle to achieve your wellness dreams!
Eat amazing food (like tacos, chili, cookies and MORE!), learn the science-y deets and get step-by-step instructions on how to use Intermittent Fasting the right way!
Get started HERE!
Your Nutritionist,
Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition