Does Honey Ruin Intermittent Fasting?

One commonality exists between all intermittent fasters – we’re always looking for a loophole. After all, intermittent fasting is a loophole for weight loss in itself. Drinking water as your only substance for hours every day can get quite repetitive, and even though there is that window of eating, our bodies will always be looking for a bit of flavor or substance.

Whether it’s a splash of creamer in your coffee or a spoon of honey in your tea, we’re always looking for that little way to cheat the system for some flavor. But what do these additives do to our fast? Does honey ruin intermittent fasting, or is it the ultimate workaround to get some sugar into your intermittent fasting diet?

Let’s take a look at what effect honey can have on your body and how it plays into intermittent fasting. How does everyone’s favorite sugary sweetener affect your intermittent fasting?

Key Takeaways

• Sugar has a massive effect on your body’s insulin production, and once your body starts producing insulin, the fasting state is over, and your body returns to its normal functions.
• Honey, even in small amounts, can cause your body to break out of the fasting state due to its sugary contents, which cause an insulin response.
• Honey is not recommended to be had during the fasting period, but it can be an excellent food to transition from fasting with as it provides sugars to wake up insulin production and calories to get your system working again.
• It’s essential to ease your way into eating after a fast with the help of gentle substances like honey to prevent stomach cramps, bloating, and trouble digesting.
• While honey can be a healthy addition to your diet in moderation, it’s crucial to consume it in moderation and be mindful of its impact on your fasting goals.

How Sugars Play With Intermittent Fasting

Sugar has a massive effect on your body’s insulin production. When you’re low on blood sugar, your body isn’t producing enough insulin. This is an issue that the diabetic body has to deal with in excess – too little insulin production can harm the body. To combat this health risk, we eat foods with good sugars in them to stir up the process and wake our system up.

Sugar is one of the most effective substances at waking up your insulin production. So sugar is good for the body, right? Sugar, in small amounts, is certainly great for your system. However, insulin production is the body’s way of breaking a fast. Once your body starts producing insulin, the fasting state is over and your body returns to its normal functions.

Does Honey Trigger the Break in Fasting?

Most certainly, even a small amount of honey will cause your body to break out of the fasting state as the sugary contents will cause an insulin response. While honey might be a fantastic addition of flavor to your favorite teas, it’s not something that you should have during your intermittent fasting period. It can be tempting to add honey to the tea to flavor it, but you’re risking your fast.

The sugars aren’t the only thing that causes honey to break fast. Natural honey is pretty high in calories which can also break your fast. If your body processes a certain amount of calories, it passes the fasting threshold and breaks out of the state. Even honey that uses artificial sweeteners will trigger insulin production causing your body to break out of the fasting state.

Easing Into Eating

Once your window of eating opens back up, however, honey is an amazing food to transition from fasting with. It provides sugars to wake up insulin production and calories to get your system working again. All while being a gentle substance that keeps your stomach safe and prevents bloating and cramps. Honey is the perfect way to start your eating day.

The transitional period is one of the most important parts of intermittent fasting. If you jump right into it with spicy foods or a hefty meal, you could experience stomach cramps, bloating, and trouble digesting. Easing your way into eating is just as important as the intermittent fasting period.

While you shouldn’t have any honey during the fasting period, it is recommended to be had as a way to start your eating window. Honey is high in sugars and calories which can easily break your fast, but gentle enough to ease your body back into eating. If you’re looking for a way to sweeten your tea while intermittent fasting, honey should not be your sweetener of choice.

Don’t forget to check our top 10 best intermittent fasting apps here to make your intermittent fasting journey easier.

FAQ

• Can I consume honey while on an intermittent fasting diet?

Honey, a sweetener, is high in calories and can break the fasted state. Therefore, avoiding consuming honey while on an intermittent fasting diet is advisable.

• Does consuming honey during the fasting period negatively impact the health benefits of intermittent fasting?

Consuming honey during fasting can break the fasting state, reducing the potential health benefits of intermittent fasting.

• Can I use honey as a sweetener in my coffee or tea during the eating window?

Yes, you can use honey as a sweetener during your eating window, as long as it is consumed within your allowed eating hours.

• What are the health benefits of intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, promote weight loss, reduce inflammation, and improve heart health.

• Is honey a healthy food?

While honey does contain some healthful compounds, it is high in calories and sugar. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

• What are some alternatives to honey for sweetening during intermittent fasting?

Some alternatives to honey for sweetening during intermittent fasting include stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol. These options are low in calories and do not break the fasted state.

• Can consuming honey outside of the fasting period still have an impact on intermittent fasting?

Consuming honey outside of the fasting period will not have an impact on intermittent fasting, as long as it is consumed within your eating window.

• Can intermittent fasting be harmful to health?

Intermittent fasting can harm the health of some people, such as those with a history of eating disorders or certain medical conditions. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting an intermittent fasting diet.

• How long should I fast during intermittent fasting?

The duration of the fast during intermittent fasting can vary, but popular approaches include the 16/8 method and the 5:2 method. Choosing a method that is sustainable and suitable for your needs is important.