Pure matcha will probably not break your intermittent fast. However, what you add into it could be a problem. Here’s what you need to know.
Does Matcha Break a Fast?
Regardless of if you’re following a “true fast” or fasting mimicking, with most matcha brands using one teaspoon or less of matcha powder will not break a fast. At one teaspoon or less, matcha contains less than one gram of protein and carbohydrates that would cause an insulin response. One of the main perks of Intermittent Fasting is that it naturally allows insulin levels to dip down, which then turns on the fat burning process called lipolysis.(1) Because matcha is so low in protein and carbs, it can be used during the fast when unsweetened. The tricky part with matcha and fasting comes down to what you’re adding into it.
How To Drink Matcha While Fasting
If you choose to drink matcha while fasting, it’s important to make sure that whatever you add into your matcha will not break a fast. To be on the safe side, aim for less than one gram of combined protein and carbs with any ingredients you add into your matcha. This means making a matcha latte with oat milk or regular cows milk will break a fast because the carb count is too high. However, if you’re drinking matcha stirred into hot water or with a splash of heavy cream (under one tablespoon), then this will not raise insulin and therefore won’t break a fast.
You can grab the complete list of what can be added to tea (or coffee) without breaking a fast with THIS blog post.
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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.
