Do Herbal Teas Break a Fast? Can You Have Herbal Tea While Fasting?

Herbal teas generally have very few or zero calories, making them fast-friendly. You may drink herbal tea without any calorie-increasing additives like sugar. To sweeten your herbal tea, consider using non-nutritive zero-calorie sweeteners. There are many different types of herbal teas. It’s best to look at their nutritional content and consume those with minimal or no calories. 

Does Herbal Tea Have Calories?

Herbal teas are very low in calories—some varieties may even be zero calories. They are created from dried herbs that contain no carbs, proteins, or fats. The actual caloric content may vary by blend and brand. 

Remember that how a herbal tea is brewed may also impact its calories. For instance, some herbal teas may be brewed with dried fruits or spices. Those additions may bump up the calories, but usually not much. 

Here are some of the most commonly used herbal teas and their respective calories:

If you’re fasting and wondering if a herbal tea has any calories, the quickest way to check it is with the Fastic app. With an extensive database of general and branded foods, Fastic can help you track calories with a simple scan. You can add the correct calorie number to your day’s calorie count. 

Herbal Teas and Additives: Which Additives Can Break a Fast?

Herbal teas don’t have enough calories to break your fast. However, some additives might. For instance, if you add sugar or honey to your herbal tea, they might break your fast. That’s because sugar and honey will stimulate an insulin response in your body, which brings it out of ketosis. Similarly, if you add milk to your herbal tea, you’ll break your fast. 

On the other hand, spices in your herbal tea will not break your fast. You can add cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and other spices when brewing herbal tea. Many herbal teas already contain these spices. Similarly, lemon juice is also a safe choice. You may add a few drops of lemon water to your herbal tea to make it zesty without increasing its content. 

Is It Beneficial to Have Herbal Tea While Fasting?

Herbal teas are great for fasting. You can have them guilt-free while fasting or during the feeding window. You can add sugar or honey to your tea during the latter. Herbal teas are chockfull of health benefits. So they’re good to have whether you’re fasting or not. 

The exact benefits vary by the herbal tea type, but such teas are generally rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants prevent DNA damage by fighting free radicals. 

Here are the benefits of herbal teas:

• Weight management: Herbal teas may help with weight management by affecting metabolism. For instance, a study with rooibos tea showed a heightened fat metabolism that resulted in less fat formation. Remember that herbal tea won’t cause weight loss, but it may help when combined with diet and exercise. 

• Heart health: Certain herbal teas like hibiscus tea may help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. In one study testing the effect of hibiscus tea on blood pressure, participants showed a decrease in blood pressure after a month. 

• Promote relaxation: Many herbal teas, like chamomile and lavender, have calming effects on the nervous system. Sipping herbal tea in a peaceful setting can be therapeutic. 

• Aids with digestion: Many herbal teas can aid digestion, relieve bloating, and reduce stomach discomfort. Some herbs, like chamomile and peppermint, are known for their soothing properties. They may alleviate symptoms of indigestion, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Best Herbal Teas for Fasting (Weight Loss)

You’d be surprised by the variety of herbal teas in the market. Some are even a combination of one or more herbs. Here are some of the most popular herbal teas with minimal/zero calories that don’t break a fast and may help you on your weight loss journey. 

• Chamomile tea: Chamomile is well-known for its calming effect in the popular sleepytime tea. 

• Peppermint tea: Another great choice for fasting, peppermint tea has no calories and many health benefits. 

• Ginger tea: Strong but delicious, ginger tea is often used to soothe nausea and aid digestion, and it's low in calories. 

• Rooibos tea: This tea is naturally caffeine-free and low in calories, making it a good option for fasting.

• Lavender tea: Lavender tea is known for its calming and relaxing properties and is low in calories.

• Dandelion tea: Not the most common, but dandelion tea is a diuretic. It can also help support liver health. 

Another good thing about herbal teas is that they’re caffeine-free, unlike black or green tea. If caffeine isn’t your thing, you can have herbal teas guilt-free. 

How Much Herbal Tea Can I Have While Fasting?

Herbal teas are fast-friendly and healthy, so there’s no daily recommended limit on their consumption. That said, it’s always a good idea to consume foods moderately. You may have two or three cups during your fasting window and even more if you’re doing 24 hours or longer fasting. 

Ensure you only brew the tea with calorie-free spice or lemon juice. Drinking tea is a great way to stay hydrated during intermittent fasting. If you struggle to drink enough water, set hydration reminders on the Fastic app. It will alert you every hour to drink your fluids. That way, you can drink water, electrolyte drinks, or herbal teas periodically and stay hydrated. 

Herbal teas offer plenty of health benefits, including help with weight management. But keep in mind that drinking tea alone won’t do the job. You have to track everything you consume and go into a caloric deficit. Fastic can help with all that!

Disclaimer: Speaking with a health professional before beginning intermittent fasting or a diet program is advised. There may be side effects for people with certain medical conditions.