Will 5 Calories Break a Fast? [Intermittent Fasting Tips]

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If you're new to Intermittent Fasting, you're likely wondering what you can and can't have during a fast. Today, we're breaking down the details of whether or not 5 calories will break a fast.

Will 5 Calories Break a Fast?

Whether or not something breaks a fast isn't necessarily determined by the calorie content of the food. Rather, the type of food/drink will determine if you will break your fast or not.

One of the main perks of Intermittent Fasting is that you're able to tap more easily into fat burning because the storing hormone insulin is low during the fast.(1) So in order to continue reaping the weight loss benefits of Intermittent Fasting, it's important to determine if what you're eating/drinking during the fast will raise the storing hormone insulin. If a food/drink raises insulin, then it will break a fast (regardless of the calorie content). If a food/drink does not raise insulin, then the body continues burning fat as fuel and that food/drink won't break a fast.

Foods or drinks that contain protein or carbohydrates raise insulin and therefore will break a fast. Foods or drinks that contain pure fat sources do not raise insulin and therefore will not break a fast.

This is why adding a splash of heavy cream into your coffee will not break a fast. However, sipping on a green juice that contains carbohydrates from the fruits and veggies will break a fast.

This type of fasting is called "fasting mimicking". This method allows you to burn fat as fuel while being a bit more flexible with your Intermittent Fast. The alternative method is called a "true fast". A true fast has many of the same health perks as fasting mimicking, however it requires zero food or drink during the fast (other than water and electrolytes).

There are pluses and minus to each form of fasting. You can check out the details of both types of fasting with THIS blog post.

Picking the right type of Intermittent Fasting schedule is key to achieving your weight loss and wellness goals. Click the button below for a free quiz to help you determine what your Intermittent Fasting schedule should be.