May 25, 20222 min read

Does Matcha Break a Fast? [Intermittent Fasting Tips]

If you're using Intermittent Fasting, will matcha break your fast? Today, we're diving into the details of matcha and Intermittent Fasting.

Does Matcha Break a Fast?

Regardless of if you're following a "true fast" or fasting mimicking, with most matcha brands using one teaspoon or less of matcha powder will not break a fast. At one teaspoon or less, matcha contains less than one gram of protein and carbohydrates that would cause an insulin response. One of the main perks of Intermittent Fasting is that it naturally allows insulin levels to dip down, which then turns on the fat burning process called lipolysis.(1) Because matcha is so low in protein and carbs, it can be used during the fast when unsweetened. The tricky part with matcha and fasting comes down to what you're adding into it.

Pssst... do you know how long you should be fasting for your weight loss or wellness goal? Take my FREE Intermittent Fasting schedule quiz to find out by clicking the button below!

How To Drink Matcha While Fasting

If you choose to drink matcha while fasting, it's important to make sure that whatever you add into your matcha will not break a fast. To be on the safe side, aim for less than one gram of combined protein and carbs with any ingredients you add into your matcha. This means making a matcha latte with oat milk or regular cows milk will break a fast because the carb count is too high. However, if you're drinking matcha stirred into hot water or with a splash of heavy cream (under one tablespoon), then this will not raise insulin and therefore won't break a fast.

You can grab the complete list of what can be added to tea (or coffee) without breaking a fast with THIS blog post.