Can I Drink Lemon Water During Intermittent Fasting?

Water plays an instrumental part in intermittent fasting. Without water, you might struggle with dehydration or malnutrition throughout your fasting window. But what about lemon water? Does adding that little bit of flavor break the fast and ruin all of your weight loss progress?

Short answer: probably yes! But, it’s a little bit more complex than that. Let’s take a look at what makes drinking lemon water while intermittent fasting okay and what you should avoid.

Key Takeaways

• Adding a squeeze of lemon to your water during intermittent fasting won’t break your fast as long as it’s just a few drops and not a significant source of calories.
• When fasting for weight loss purposes, you have more wiggle room to consume lemon water compared to fasting for health purposes, where your maximum calorie intake may need to be zero.
• Drinking lemon water can help distract the mind from hunger during intermittent fasting, but it’s important to use real lemons and not lemon-flavored packets that may contain added sugars or fats.

A Minimal Difference

Water is a substance that is necessary to find success in the intermittent fasting window. It supplies the hydration that your body usually receives through eating. When you stop eating, your body needs a way to stay hydrated. Drinking a normal amount of water will suffice, but if you want to stay fully hydrated, you’ll need to almost double the water intake prior to intermittent fasting.

What difference can you expect from a lemon here or there? Very little! Adding lemon to your water will add about 9 calories per drink. While this is – by a technicality – breaking your fast, it’s not enough to trigger any metabolic responses and won’t have an effect on your body. Drinking water with lemon makes such a small difference that it’s essentially nothing. Drink the lemon water!

No Substances or Added Sugars

Okay, drink the lemon water within reason. Don’t go overboard with lemons now that you know you’re allowed to have them with your water. Too many lemon waters will still put you over the 50 calorie threshold your body needs to break a fast. Keep it to one or two lemon waters per day to make the most of your intermittent fasting.

It’s also important to ensure that you’re using lemon, not lemon flavoring. These lemon flavoring packets can have added sugars and fats that will certainly break your fast. Stay away from lemon-flavored water, or else you’ll end up breaking your fast and losing all progress from that day. Make sure you’re drinking real lemon water if you’re set on having lemon flavoring.

Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

The type of intermittent fasting you’re partaking in will play a major part in determining whether or not you can have lemon water. If you’re fasting for weight loss purposes, then you should feel free to add a splash of lemon or two. The calorie level you have to pass to break your fast when losing weight is relatively high.

When fasting for weight loss purposes, you have much more wiggle room to play with. Don’t be afraid to have a couple lemon waters throughout your intermittent fasting window, as long as they’re the only calorie drinks you’re having.

Intermittent Fasting for Health

If you’re partaking in intermittent fasting for health purposes, your maximum calorie levels could be much lower. It’s important to be aware of what will break your fast when fasting for health purposes. Certain health-related intermittent fasting plans require you to stick to 0 calories overall. This means no lemon water, no tea, and no coffee. Only water is allowed for these fasts – sometimes not even.

Helping With the Fast

One of the major benefits drinks like lemon water offer is a distraction from the hunger. As you’re getting closer to the end of your fast, you’re likely experiencing cravings or massive waves of hunger. Water will help out a bit, but it won’t be the distraction your mind needs. By adding that little bit of flavoring to your water, you can distract your mind and turn the focus away from hunger.

Don’t forget to check our recommended fasting apps to make your intermittent fasting journey easier.

FAQ

• Can I drink lemon water during intermittent fasting?

Yes, you can drink lemon water during intermittent fasting. Lemon water is a great choice for hydration and can also help you feel more satiated during your fast.

• Will drinking lemon water break my fast?

No, drinking lemon water will not break your fast. This is because lemon water contains very few calories and no macronutrients that would cause an insulin response or spike your blood sugar levels.

• Can I add sweetener to my lemon water while fasting?

Add sweetener to your lemon water while fasting is not recommended, as sweeteners can trigger an insulin response and break your fast. However, if you want to add some sweetness, consider using a small amount of stevia or monk fruit sweetener, as they do not contain any calories or affect blood sugar levels.

• How much lemon water can I drink during my fast?

You can drink as much lemon water as you like during your fast as long as you are not adding any sweeteners or other ingredients that could break your fast.

• What are the benefits of drinking lemon water during intermittent fasting?

Drinking lemon water during intermittent fasting can provide a range of benefits, including improved hydration, increased feelings of satiety, and support for your body’s natural detoxification processes. Lemon water is also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help support your immune system and reduce inflammation in your body.

• Can I drink other types of flavored water during my fast?

It depends on the ingredients in the flavored water. If the flavored water contains added sugars or other ingredients that could break your fast, it is best to avoid it. Instead, stick to plain water or water with a small amount of lemon or other natural flavorings.