Can I Drink Chamomile Tea While Intermittent Fasting?
Written by Andrew Brewer. ⚕️Reviewed and fact checked by our medical team.
As long as you don’t add honey or cream to your chamomile tea, you can safely drink it while intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting is an approach to weight loss that encourages your body to burn fat by limiting your caloric intake during certain times of the day or week. There are several methods of intermittent fasting, and they all break your day or week into two periods, known as fasting windows and eating windows.
Even though you can’t eat during your fasting window, several different beverages you can drink while intermittent fasting help promote your overall wellness goals.
Key Takeaways
- Chamomile tea can be consumed while practicing intermittent fasting, as long as it’s consumed without cream or honey.
- Herbal teas like chamomile tea are perfect for intermittent fasting because they are calorie-free, have numerous health benefits, and are caffeine-free.
- Chamomile tea contains flavonoids, which can help with various health conditions like premenstrual syndrome, reducing inflammation, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, sleep problems, anxiety issues, common cold symptoms, and mild skin conditions.
- It’s important to stay hydrated while practicing intermittent fasting by drinking lots of water and other beverages like sparkling water, mineral water, black coffee, and unsweetened tea.
- Before starting an intermittent fasting plan or consuming chamomile tea, it’s recommended to consult a doctor, especially if you have pre-existing conditions like diabetes, eating disorders, or are pregnant or nursing.
Herbal Teas for Intermittent Fasting
Chamomile tea is made with dried chamomile flowers; the stronger it is, the more health benefits you get. You can drink it as potent as you like during your intermittent fasting window but don’t put cream or honey in it.
A little splash of lemon can make herbal tea more palatable for some people. If you add a squeeze of lemon to your tea, it might change the calorie content. Some people are okay with drinking lemon water during intermittent fasting since it has almost zero calories and won’t increase your insulin levels.
Herbal teas are perfect for intermittent fasting. Aside from being free of calories, they also have numerous health benefits, such as reducing stress, normalizing your appetite, and promoting a good night’s sleep.
Since herbal teas are also caffeine-free, they are popular when you’ve had enough coffee. Drinking too much coffee and black tea can give you headaches, increase anxiety, and cause sleep problems.
A selection of quality herbal teas can make getting through the last few hours of your fasting window each day a little more bearable. Teas like mint, raspberry hibiscus, and roasted dandelion are popular herbal teas with health benefits.
Benefits of Drinking Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a popular herbal tea because it has a mild yet delicious flavor. It is most well-known for promoting sleep.
Many people struggle with healthy sleep habits even when they aren’t on an intermittent fasting plan. Intermittent fasting can exacerbate some people’s sleep problems, and chamomile tea is the perfect solution.
Like other herbal teas, chamomile tea contains flavinoids, which are present in plants, fruits, and vegetables. Flavinoids have beneficial biochemical and antioxidant properties that can promote wellness.
The flavonoids in chamomile can help with the following conditions:
- Premenstrual syndrome, especially cramps and bloating,
- Reducing inflammation, which can help not just with PMS but also with arthritis and infections,
- Diabetes and blood sugar problems,
- Osteoporosis, which is the loss of bone density, especially in women,
- Balancing estrogen levels because it has an anti-estrogen effect,
- Cancer, as chamomile targets cancer cells,
- Sleep problems,
- Anxiety issues,
- Common cold symptoms,
- Mild skin conditions.
Chamomile tea is not recommended for infants and young children and should not be used by people with severe allergies. Consult a doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
Likewise, intermittent fasting is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women and should not be used by anyone under 18.
If you have eating disorders or are trying to build muscle mass, intermittent fasting might not be your best approach. Also, consult your doctor if you have pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes.
Other Beverages For Intermittent Fasting
While you’re on an intermittent fasting app, staying hydrated and keeping your body supplied with electrolytes is essential.
Drink lots of clean, fresh water throughout the day, and if you are struggling with food cravings during your fasting window, hot herbal tea can be soothing.
Other beverages you can drink while intermittent fasting include sparkling water, mineral water, black coffee, and unsweetened tea.
Drink Chamomile Tea While Fasting
Chamomile tea is an excellent beverage choice while intermittent fasting, as are numerous other herbal teas.
Be sure also to drink plenty of water to stay fully hydrated. Some herbal teas are diuretics, which can cause you to urinate more frequently. That can be good for cleaning out your system, but you must replenish your body with water to compensate for it.
FAQ
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Can I drink chamomile tea while intermittent fasting?
Yes, you can drink chamomile tea while intermittent fasting, as it is a non-caloric beverage that won’t break your fast.
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Can chamomile tea help me during intermittent fasting?
Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety, making it a great choice during intermittent fasting, especially if you are prone to feeling stressed or anxious during periods of fasting.
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When is the best time to drink chamomile tea during intermittent fasting?
There is no specific time to drink chamomile tea during intermittent fasting, but it is generally recommended to consume non-caloric beverages like chamomile tea during your fasting window, as they won’t break your fast.
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What are the benefits of drinking chamomile tea during intermittent fasting?
Chamomile tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help to reduce inflammation and protect against oxidative stress, making it a healthy addition to your intermittent fasting routine.
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Does chamomile tea have any calories?
No, chamomile tea is a non-caloric beverage with no calories, making it a great choice for people following an intermittent fasting diet.