If you're using Intermittent Fasting to achieve your wellness goals, you may have noticed that there are some tricky head-scratcher foods in terms of what breaks your fast and what doesn't (pre-workout, for example). Some people enjoy adding a drop of high quality essential oils to their morning water, but will this break your Intermittent Fast?
Today, I'm breaking down the details of essential oils and Intermittent Fasting!
But First, Are Essential Oils Edible?
In other words, do essential oils pass the "can I eat that?" test. There's some debate on if essential oils should be used internally or not. However, some brands of essential oils specifically point to the oils that are safe for internal use. So, if you choose to use essential oils internally, then make sure you opt for one that is deemed safe to use. You may also want to check with your doctor if you have any health conditions as essential oils are highly concentrated and can have a strong effect on the body.
Do Essential Oils Break a Fast?
Assuming you pick an oil that is safe for internal use and it fits your health needs, now the question is does it break your fast? With traditional, therapeutic or religious fasting, any type of food or drink (even water in some circumstances) will break your fast. This includes essential oils.
However, if you're using Intermittent Fasting for the blood glucose and insulin stabilizing perks (especially if weight loss is your goal)(1), then essential oils will not break your fast.
With weight loss as the goal, it's important to not spike insulin during your fasted state. This is a key component within the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle protocols. Essential oils come from a fat source (hence the term "oils"). Out of the three macronutrients, fat has the lowest impact on insulin. In fact, it can have zero impact on insulin. This means that a fat source will not break your fast if weight loss and stabilizing insulin is your goal. Not to mention the amount of essential oil typically used is around 1-2 drops and the level of fat at this amount is insignificant.
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Your Nutritionist,
Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition
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