Is it OK to have hot chocolate when fasting? Dos and Don’ts

Fasting has become a popular way of life, with several possible health advantages like as weight loss, mental sharpness, and fitness. It also allows the body to destroy damaged cells. Yet, in order to get the maximum advantages, you must refrain from breaking the fast. Certain meals, supplements, and drinks are known to accidentally break your fast. Is hot chocolate included in this category?

During fasting, you should not consume hot chocolate. This is because it contains dairy products, which include natural sugars, calories, and carbohydrates, all of which may increase insulin release. This will break the fast since fasting is intended to limit calorie intake and reduce insulin production.

This article might assist you if you have begun your fasting regimen and are unclear of which liquids can or cannot break a fast. I’ve been there, so I’ll do my best to answer any of your questions on what you may drink while fasting.

Why You Can’t Drink Hot Chocolate while Fasting?

Fasting regulations vary from person to person, but one thing is that liquids high in sugar or carbohydrates may induce the body to create the hormone insulin, breaking the fast. As a result, if you consume chocolate and chocolate milk while fasting, you may undo your fasting efforts.

Chocolate includes carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, which may help you break your fast. Although cocoa butter has no effect on insulin or glucose levels in the blood, it will technically break your fast. That’s because the body will cease metabolizing fat and instead turn to butter for energy.

Chocolate milk has a lot of calories. A cup of chocolate milk has around 200 calories and 24 grams of sugar (of which 11.5 g is additive sugars). [1] It should be noted that a person should consume between 25g and 36g each day. Also, the rich cream in chocolate milk might interfere with the fat-burning process, affecting your fasting condition.

What Can You Drink When Fasting?

It is essential to keep hydrated, but you must be cautious about the sort of liquid you consume to prevent breaking the fast. Since water has no calories, you may drink it to stay hydrated. Take still, sparkling, or add a squeeze of lemon or line in the water. Artificially sweetened water enhancers should be avoided since they might disrupt your fast. [2]

Black coffee has no effect on insulin levels since it is a low-calorie beverage (just three calories), and it has no effect on your fast. Regular (caffeinated) or decaf coffee may be consumed, but no sugar, milk, cream, or sweeteners should be added. Spices such as cinnamon may be added to coffee to enhance the flavor.

Tea is another low-calorie drink that may be consumed when fasting (a cup has two calories). But, you should avoid commercial teas that include sugars, fruit, or other substances like artificial flavoring. Use pure tea instead, such as black, green, or white tea, peppermint, rooibos, or chamomile.

You may eat unsweetened dark chocolate when fasting (without cream, butter, or sweeteners). Dark chocolate may fulfill your sweet taste while having little impact on insulin and glucose response. Moreover, flavonoids in chocolate have been linked to anti-inflammatory effects for cardiovascular and brain health.

During your fast, you should consume bone broth or vegetable broth. Although it provides calories, it has no carbohydrates and so helps you remain in ketosis. The soup is also high in sodium and other minerals, which help the body replace electrolytes and stay hydrated. Moreover, broth aids in the prevention of hunger.

Also, consuming diluted apple cider vinegar (1-2 tablespoons in a glass of water) might help you stay hydrated and avoid cravings during fasting.

Can You Drink Hot Chocolate While Trying to Lose Weight?

A small hot chocolate cup has over five teaspoons (20g) of sugar in it. These calories might derail your weight-loss plan and success. Also, they may raise the risk of heart disease.

Moreover, if the hot chocolate is prepared with full-fat milk and whipped ice cream, you will consume more calories and fat. To make a healthy hot chocolate, combine unsweetened cocoa powder with a low-calorie sweetener like stevia and heated low-fat milk.