Can I drink lemon water during intermittent fasting? Let’s SQUEEZE out the truth and discover if you really can drink lemon water during intermittent fasting or not?
Can you have lemon water during intermittent fasting? Let’s just say, it’s a tangy mix of conflicting advice.
In this post, we’ll dive in and examine both sides of this zesty debate, and ultimately we’ll provide you with the knowledge you need to decide which option works best for you and your personal intermittent fasting journey.
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What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent Fasting is a food schedule that focuses on WHEN you eat, not WHAT you eat. Intermittent fasting alternates between periods of eating and not eating. It’s become super popular because it’s pretty flexible and can fit into many lifestyles. Additionally, it can help with faster weight loss and can be good for your overall health goals.
The Importance of Hydration & Fasting!
Staying hydrated during intermittent fasting is a healthy habit that absolutely can’t be neglected. It’s like the secret weapon in your fasting toolkit! Your body is working extra hard during your fasting period, so it needs plenty of water to keep everything flowing smoothly.
Water helps your body break down fat for energy and keeps those hunger pangs at bay. It also helps you stay sharp and focused on your fasting goals.
However, plain water can get downright boring at times, and you might be tempted to add a citrusy twist to your fasting fiesta!
Weight Loss & Health Benefits of Lemon Water
Drinking a glass of lemon water can actually offer several potential benefits:
- Hydration: Lemon water is a flavorful way to stay hydrated and promote a feeling of fullness throughout the day.
- Vitamin C: Lemons are citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C, which can boost your immune system.
- Digestive Aid: It may help with digestion and relieve indigestion, acid reflux, or bloating.
- Weight Management: Some people find that lemon water helps control appetite, calorie intake and support weight loss goals.
- Skin Health: The vitamin C in lemons can contribute to healthier skin by reducing wrinkles and blemishes.
- Kidney Stones Prevention: Lemon water can increase citrate levels in urine, reducing the risk of kidney stones.
- Alkalizing Effect: Despite their acidic taste, lemons have an alkalizing effect on the body, promoting a balanced pH level.
- Fresh Breath: Lemon’s natural fragrance can be a great way to freshen your breath.
- Antioxidants: Citric acid in Lemons is known for its antioxidants properties that may help combat free radicals in the body.
- Improved Mood & Energy Levels: Some people find that the aroma of lemon can enhance mood and reduce stress.
Clearly, the question isn’t whether squeezing a little lemon into your water is beneficial or not. I think the real question we’re all wondering about is: Will lemon water break a fast and interrupt the fasted state if I drink it during intermittent fasting?
YES! YOU CAN!
Let’s first start with the YES side of this debate! Some say the teeny-tiny calories in lemon won’t break your fast and that you can totally enjoy lemon water during intermittent fasting. Supporters of this believe that it’s like a refreshing buddy that won’t mess up your fast. Plus, this side teaches that the tangy flavor might even help you stay hydrated and feel less hungry.
NO! YOU CAN’T
On the flip side of this argument, others debate that the taste of lemon might trick your tummy, trigger hunger, and disrupt the fasting process.
While lemon itself seems like it wouldn’t have enough calories to make a difference, the acidity of lemon water can stimulate digestive enzymes and potentially trigger an insulin response when it interacts with taste receptors in the mouth.
Many people, myself included, believe that the best way to ensure the integrity of your fasting window, is to opt for plain water or any of these other safe intermittent fasting drinks including black coffee, herbal teas, or plain sparkling mineral water.
CLICK HERE to learn about 15 SHOCKING things that will TOTALLY Break Your Fast!
My Personal Experience
After reading 3 life-changing intermittent fasting books, I began my intermittent fasting weight loss journey in January of 2021 at the age of 45. Following the science-based teachings of these three books, I successfully lost 46 pounds in 4 months with intermittent fasting.
I 100 percent believe that lemon water provides many health and weight loss benefits. Additionally, I 1,000 percent believe that your fast will be broken by squeezing even just a tiny bit of lemon into your water.
This is why I choose to enjoy freshly squeezed lemon in my water, but ONLY during my specified daily EATING WINDOW hours.
Lemon Water Weight Loss Testimonial
After I lost 46 pounds with intermittent fasting, my 71 year old mother came to me for help. She saw the pep in my step and desperately wanted to lose some weight and get healthier too. So, she began intermittent fasting and lost about 24 pounds in just a few short months.
However, after her initial success, she suddenly hit a rather long-lasting weight loss plateau and became frustrated. Together, we brainstormed about her eating pattern and intermittent fasting schedule. And, during that conversation, she mentioned that she drank black coffee, green tea and plain lemon water all day long. BINGO!
Talk about a light bulb moment! I explained to her that the glass of water with lemon might be triggering a spike in insulin levels that could possibly be holding her body back from burning as much fat as it possibly could be.
I kid you not! She immediately stopped squeezing lemon slices into her water during her fasting hours. And, guess what? Great News! Within four weeks, fat burning resumed and she dropped another six pounds, putting her at her initial goal weight.
CLICK HERE to read about 16 Intermittent Fasting Weight Loss Testimonials: Real People who go REAL WEIGHT LOSS RESULTS!
What Fasting Beverages Can I Safely Consume During Intermittent Fasting?
If you want to take all of the guesswork out of fasting and achieve the absolute best health and weight loss results possible, simply stick to consuming these 4 “clean” drinks ONLY while fasting: WATER, PLAIN HERBAL TEA, PLAIN SPARKLING WATER and BLACK COFFEE!
CONCLUSION – Can I drink lemon water during intermittent fasting?
So, can I drink lemon water during intermittent fasting? Lemon water can, most definitely, add a healthy, citrusy splash of fun to your intermittent fasting routine. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide, based on your goals, whether you want to quench your thirst during your fasting or your feasting window. Whatever you decide, go out there and SQUEEZE the DAY!
And… if you’re ready to go ALL IN and finally lose weight and get healthy FOR GOOD, I’m totally here for YOU! In my INTERMITTENT FASTING and WEIGHT LOSS MASTERCLASS: 6 Weeks to Sexy, I will teach you step-by-step, week-by-week, exactly HOW I lost 46 Pounds in 4 Months with Intermittent Fasting! I’ll share with you every single TIP, TRICK, RECIPE & STRATEGY that I used to reach my goal weight and maintain for over two years now! CLICK HERE if you’re ready to do this TOGETHER!
