If you stick to a small amount of cinnamon in your coffee, then it won’t break a fast. Here’s what you need to know.
Does Cinnamon Break a Fast?
First of all, this depends on WHY you’re using Intermittent Fasting. If you are completing a water fast or fasting for religious purposes, than ANY food will break your fast. However, if you’re following the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle guidelines in order to tap into fat burning mechanisms and boost energy levels, then your criteria is a little different.
One of the main goals of Intermittent Fasting is to stabilize blood glucose levels and reduce the insulin response. This will help to shift your body out of storing mode and into fat burning mode. So the question you want to ask is… what causes a spike in your blood glucose and insulin? The answer: carbohydrates (and to a lesser degree protein, too).
Carbohydrates aren’t EVIL. In fact, when properly used, carbs can actually HELP you achieve your wellness goals as well. But during your fasting period, a good rule of thumb is to keep carbohydrates and protein to below 1g each. Everyone’s body will respond to glucose/amino acids differently, but this low level is generally a good place to start.
1 tsp. of cinnamon contains roughly .8g net carbs and .1g protein. So with the 1g total carbohydrates and protein rule in mind, then cinnamon will not break your fast. When you stick to less than 1 tsp. of cinnamon during your fast, cinnamon will not break your fast. However, if you are combining multiple spices, make sure that the total number is less than 1g. For this reason, sticking to around 1/2 or 1/4 tsp. cinnamon is ideal.
1 tsp. of cinnamon contains roughly .8g net carbs and .1g protein. So with the 1g total carbohydrates and protein rule in mind, then cinnamon will not break your fast. When you stick to less than 1 tsp. of cinnamon during your fast, cinnamon will not break your fast. However, if you are combining multiple spices, make sure that the total number is less than 1g. For this reason, sticking to around 1/2 or 1/4 tsp. cinnamon is ideal.
Tap into fat burning
The 21 Day Intermittent Fasting Program
The 21 Day Intermittent Fasting Program provides step-by-step strategies to help you use Intermittent Fasting with delicious, protein-packed meals to support fat loss, reduce hunger, and boost gut health.
