Incorporating cinnamon in your morning coffee is a super easy (and sugar-free!) way to boost the flavor of your cup of Joe. But if you're using Intermittent Fasting in order to achieve a weight loss goal, does cinnamon break your fast?
Today, I'm breaking down everything you need to know about cinnamon and Intermittent Fasting in order to achieve your wellness goals!
Does Cinnamon Break A Fast?
If you're using Intermittent Fasting in order to achieve a weight loss goal, the key area of focus will be the storing hormone insulin. One of the main perks of Intermittent Fasting is that it naturally allows the insulin level to dip down and shifts the body into utilizing fat as fuel (aka fat burning).(1) So in order to still reap these fat burning benefits with Intermittent Fasting, it's crucial not to consume anything that will cause insulin to spike during your fast.
Carbohydrates and proteins are the main macronutrients that cause the body to secrete the storing hormone insulin. During your fasting period, a good rule of thumb is to keep carbohydrates and protein to below 1g each. Everyone's body will respond to glucose/amino acids differently, but this low level is generally a good place to start.
One teaspoon of ground cinnamon contains roughly .8g net carbs and .1g protein. So with the 1g total carbohydrates and protein rule in mind, then cinnamon will not break your fast.
When you stick to less than 1 tsp. of cinnamon during your fast, cinnamon will not break your fast.
However, if you are combining multiple spices, make sure that the total number is less than 1g. For this reason, when combining cinnamon with other spices, sticking to around 1/2 or 1/4 tsp. cinnamon is ideal.
Does Cinnamon In Coffee Break A Fast?
So what about when you add cinnamon to coffee? Is this a problem?
In addition to cinnamon already being low in insulin spiking carbohydrates and protein, it also has a unique perk of aiding in blood glucose stability. (2) Considering rising levels of blood glucose causes insulin to go up, this blood glucose stabilizing benefit of cinnamon is huge. Try experimenting with adding 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon to your morning cup of coffee (or your fat burning cup of Keto Coffee).
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Your Nutritionist,
Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition