Is It OK To Take Supplements During Intermittent Fasting?

You know you can’t eat on intermittent fasting, but did you know that some supplements may break your fast? Pay attention to the calories. If a supplement has any calories or sugar, it will break your fast. If not, you’re safe to take them. Here’s a list of supplements to keep your eye out for – some of these will break your fast, while others are safe to take.

Supplements That Break Fast

When intermittent fasting, it’s critical that your body gets the nutrients it needs to thrive. Even when you’re not fasting, a multivitamin and other supplements can do the trick, but it’s important to read the nutritional values. If a supplement has calories, it will technically break your fast, even if you’re not eating anything.

• Gummy vitamins typically contain sugar, protein, and fat, which will break your fast. Generally, what makes it taste good is what makes it bad for you, so skip a gummy multivitamin on fasting days.
• Protein powder may seem like a good idea, but it will trigger a metabolic response. Because it has calories and impacts your insulin levels, your body won’t think you’re fasting, even if you drink just a little bit.

Some vitamins like magnesium, zinc, copper, and vitamins A, D, and K work best when they are taken with food, so while taking them alone won’t technically break your fast, you will need to eat with them to reap the best results.

Supplements That Do Not Break Fast

Not all supplements contain calories when they are jam-packed full of nutrients, so these are the ones you want to keep an eye out for. You can still get your vitamins and minerals when you take these supplements, as long as they don’t have any calories.

• Multivitamins in pill form avoid the sugar or added fillers that try to make them taste good. Simply pop these in your mouth and swallow without water to break your fast.
• Creatine is great to take pre-or post-workout to help you power through. Unlike protein power, it does not contain calories or prompts an insulin response.
• Fish oil has many benefits, including lowering blood pressure and improving heart health. Thankfully, this wonder supplement is safe to take as it contains no calories and no carbs.
• Stand-alone vitamins like potassium, vitamin D, and B are safe to take while fasting, though keep in mind that fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K may make you feel sick if you don’t take them with food.
• Probiotics help improve your gut health and are safe to take while intermittent fasting. It will help your body produce good bacteria to restore balance without calories or carbs.

Pay attention to what’s in your supplements. Avoid any that include protein, sugar, and fat. They may taste better, but they will break your fast.

Why Take Supplements During Intermittent Fasting?

As you’re fasting, your body works through its existing energy stores. It’s burning through the calories you’ve eaten and any sugar stores you have in your body. Once it’s exhausted the most accessible energy sources, it will move to your fat stores. That’s where the weight loss magic happens!

Just because your body has enough energy to power its base functions doesn’t mean you’re getting the nutrients you need. Supplements can help fill the gap during fasting days, ensuring you get the vitamins and minerals for your body to function at its highest capacity. Typically, you’d close the gap with food; however, that’s not possible during fast days. Supplements will be critical for your health as you continue your intermittent fasting journey.

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