Does Salt Break Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting can be quite confusing when trying to decipher what is okay to eat and what should be avoided. Some dietitians recommend direct sodium intake to help out certain processes within the body, but what about while intermittent fasting? Will eating salt break your intermittent fast?

Let’s take a closer look!

Key Takeaways

• The type of salt you consume during intermittent fasting matters. Natural sea salt with no added chemicals is generally acceptable as it contains no proteins or carbs, while table salt could trigger an insulin response and break your fast.
• The type of intermittent fast you’re doing also affects whether consuming salt will break your fast. Fasting for dietary purposes like weight loss tends to have more lenient recommendations, while therapeutic, religious, or medical fasts typically have a 0 calorie maximum.
• Consuming sea salt during intermittent fasting for weight loss purposes can be beneficial, as it helps balance your electrolytes and supports nerve transmission in the body. Mixing salt in water is a good way to consume it without breaking your fast, as it dissolves easily and enters the bloodstream quickly.

What Types of Salts Work

The type of salt that you’re having could play a part in whether or not it will break your fast. Some salts are perfectly acceptable to have during a fast as they contain no carbohydrates or proteins. If the salt doesn’t cause insulin production in your body to restart, then it won’t break your fast. Natural, high-quality sea salt typically won’t break your fast as it contains no proteins or carbs.

Table salt, on the other hand, could contain bleaches and other chemicals that could trigger a response. If you’re going to be having salt while intermittent fasting, make sure it’s pure sea salt with no added chemicals. Otherwise, you could be putting your intermittent fast at risk of breaking. The type of intermittent fast you’re partaking in also matters.

Depending on the Intermittent Fast

Some fasts have much more lenient recommendations than others. If you’re fasting for dietary purposes like weight loss, then you have plenty of space throughout your fast for a bit of sea salt. The caloric threshold of most intermittent fasting routines for weight loss is much higher than others. You won’t break your fast with a little bit of sea salt when aiming for weight loss.

However, if you’re fasting for therapeutic, religious, or medical reasons, a little bit of salt will almost certainly break your fast. These types of fasts tend to have a 0 calorie maximum which means even the slightest hint of substance other than water will be enough to break your fast. Intermittent fasting before a surgery typically requires nothing in your stomach otherwise the contents could come back up while in surgery.

Benefits of Salt While Fasting

So sea salt should be fine to have while intermittent fasting for weight loss purposes. Awesome! But why? Why would someone want to put pure salt into their body while fasting? You can’t put it on something as any other foods will certainly break your fast. Well, there are tons of benefits that salt provides the body that are quite important while you’re intermittent fasting.

Sodium is one of the best substances for balancing your electrolytes. Salt can maintain a balanced number of electrolytes in your body which will keep you active and functioning, even as you’re only drinking water. The body could stand to lose some electrolytes throughout the fasting period, so having a bit of salt will help maintain that balanced state.

Sodium also helps transmit data from your brain to the rest of your body. It’s highly important for nerve transmission and without salt, your body could be at a loss for what it’s supposed to do. Nerve transmissions help alert the body to sensations, movements, and even reactions. Without salt, these nerve transmissions will struggle.

Best Way to Take Salt

You can’t eat salt with other foods as that will likely break your fast, so how should you take salt while intermittent fasting? The best way to ingest salt without having to eat it directly is by mixing it in some water. If your body is low on sodium and in need of a kick, dissolve some salt in water and you’ll find it extremely easy to take – relatively.

The water helps dissolve the salt which makes it easier to deposit into your bloodstream. When the salt has a direct line of access to your bloodstream, it can get started supporting your nerve transmissions and electrolyte balance.

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

FAQ

• Does consuming salt during fasting break the fast?

No, consuming salt during fasting does not break the fast. Salt contains no calories or nutrients and does not trigger an insulin response or cause the body to break down its fat stores for energy.

• Can I consume salt while fasting?

Yes, you can consume salt while fasting. Drinking an adequate amount of salt during fasting is recommended to help maintain electrolyte balance and prevent dehydration.

• Will consuming salt affect the benefits of fasting?

No, consuming salt will not affect the benefits of fasting. The benefits of fasting are primarily due to reduced caloric intake and the resulting metabolic and hormonal changes that occur during the fasting period.

• How much salt can I consume during fasting?

The amount of salt one can consume during fasting varies depending on individual needs and medical conditions. However, a general guideline is to drink 1-2 teaspoons of salt daily during fasting.

• What types of salt are recommended during fasting?

Unprocessed, natural salts such as sea salt or Himalayan pink salt are recommended during fasting. These types of salt contain a variety of minerals and trace elements that can help maintain electrolyte balance.

• Can I consume salt if I am on a low-sodium diet?

If you are on a low-sodium diet, consult your healthcare provider before consuming salt during fasting. Depending on your medical condition, you may need to limit or avoid salt consumption during fasting.