It's the morning of your bloodwork and your doctor said to fast before the test. But your stomach is growling and you have serious caffeine withdrawal hours before you roll up your sleeve. A bite of toast and a few
gulps of coffee won't really make a difference, right? Not so fast. Your results could come back wrong if you give in to temptation. Fasting means you don't eat or drink anything but water usually for 8 to 12 hours
beforehand. If your appointment is at 8 a.m. and you're told to fast for 8 hours, only water is OK after midnight. If it's a 12-hour fast, avoid food and drink after 8 p.m. the night before. You also shouldn't smoke, chew gum (even sugarless), or exercise. These things can rev up your digestion, and that can affect your results. Take your prescription
medications unless your doctor tells you to skip them. But ask your doctor before you take any over-the-counter drugs. Blood tests help doctors check for certain health problems and find out how
well your body is working. Doctors also use them to figure out how well treatments are working. You don't need to fast before all blood tests. Your doctor will tell you if you need to. These tests typically require fasting: Nutrients in food and drinks go into your bloodstream and can change things measured by the tests, skewing your results. For instance, if you eat or drink before a fasting blood glucose test, your blood sugar probably will be
higher than if you hadn't had anything. When you're fasting, doctors get a baseline result so tests can be compared to give a true picture of your sugar levels over time. If you make a mistake and eat or drink anything besides
water, tell the person taking your blood. Your doctor will want to know so they can interpret your tests correctly. For the best results, they may ask you to reschedule. As soon as your blood is taken, your fast is over. You might want to bring a snack and a drink with you so you can
eat as soon as possible after the test. The short and sweet answer: Yes…but it depends. Before we dive deeper into whether or not you can drink water during intermittent fasting, it’s important to understand the basic science and what makes it effective. What is Intermittent Fasting? Intermittent fasting (IF) refers to a dietary pattern in which you alternate periods of eating and fasting (or significantly reducing your caloric intake). It doesn’t refer to a specific diet type (i.e. keto, vegetarian, or low-carb) that tells you what to eat, but instead provides a framework for when to eat. This allows individuals to choose a pattern that works for them and their lifestyle. There are a variety of different plans to choose from including:
While people may choose to practice intermittent fasting for a number of reasons, most people do so for the potential health benefits including:
Depending on the type of IF you practice, it may have different effects on the body. For example, some studies show that by reducing the number of hours in which you eat throughout the day, you are more likely to consume fewer calories, and therefore weight loss may occur. Many of the metabolic benefits of intermittent fasting are dependent on the body being in a fasted state. Consuming foods or beverages that contain calories from carbohydrates, fat, or protein can interrupt it. In other words, eating or drinking calories signals the “on” switch for your body’s endocrine and digestive system and it immediately must go back to work breaking down and sorting out carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Does Water Break A Fast?Since it is calorie-free and doesn’t raise blood sugar levels, drinking good old H20 won’t break your fast! In fact, drinking water while intermittent fasting is encouraged to maintain adequate hydration status. The only exception to this rule is if you are practicing dry fasting. It restricts both food and liquid. People may practice dry fasting for religious or medical reasons, but since abstaining from water for a prolonged period of time can lead to dehydration, it’s advised to consult with a medical professional before starting. If you are required to dry fast prior to a medical procedure, be sure to check with your doctor to understand exactly how long you need to abstain from foods and fluids, since it may vary based on procedure. What Types of Water Can I Drink While Intermittent Fasting?So plain water is ok outside the eating period, but what about with lemon, flavored ones, seltzers? The general rule of thumb is:
The great news is that there are plenty of zero-calorie options to keep you hydrated. The types of water to drink that are ok include:
The types of liquids not to drink include:
If you’re opting for a liquid other than plain H20, be sure to check the nutrition facts panel to make sure there is no added sugar or even protein. The Health Benefits of Drinking Water While Intermittent FastingDrinking fluids during fasting is not only allowed – it’s recommended! About 60-70% of the human body is made up of water, so drinking it and staying hydrated is crucial for supporting a number of important functions including:
Drinking adequate amounts of liquids while practicing IF can also help manage feelings of hunger. So how much water per day is considered enough? The Institute of Medicine recommends the following for adults (ages 18-70):
Source: Institute of Medicine If you participate moderate or vigorous exercise, you will likely want to consider increasing your daily fluid intake to replenish water and other nutrients lost via sweat. The recommendations above are for total fluids per day – so let’s see what else can help you reach your daily fluid goals while practicing IF. What About Other Beverages While Intermittent Fasting?The great news is that there are plenty of options that you can drink when fasting including:
Remember, it’s important not to drink sweetened or calorie-containing drinks. Examples of beverages to avoid include:
Once your fasting window ends, feel free to consume beverages of your choice that align with your nutritional goals or preferences. Can you drink water while fasting for a day?However, water doesn't affect blood sugar or insulin levels. Therefore, you can safely drink it while intermittent fasting. In fact, it's recommended to drink water to help you stay hydrated during an intermittent fast.
What can I drink during fasting?Technically speaking, eating or drinking any calories breaks a fast. That means it's generally considered OK to drink black, unsweetened coffee or tea, as well as water.
Do you break fast by drinking water?Water is a calorie-free drink, so you can guzzle it all you want until you've quenched your thirst. But it is not the only drink that won't affect your fast.
|
Can you drink water during a fast
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 muatrau Inc.
