GainingTactics is reader-supported. When you make a purchase using the links below, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More.
Intermittent fasting has gained immense popularity as a weight loss and health strategy in recent years. When it comes to fasting, it’s important to understand what it means to break a fast. This brings us to the question: Does Athletic Greens break a fast?
In this article, we will help you understand the effects of Athletic Greens on insulin levels and examine its impact on the fasting state.
Get ready to dive into the world of fasting and discover how to incorporate your favorite green supplement into your fasting routine.
Intermittent Fasting: Introduction
This eating pattern involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, with various approaches and schedules to choose from.
The concept is simple: by restricting the time window in which you eat, you create a calorie deficit and encourage the body to use stored fat for energy.
The appeal of intermittent fasting lies in its simplicity and flexibility, allowing individuals to find a routine that suits their lifestyle.
Dirty Fasting
There is a modified form of fasting, called “dirty fasting,” which allows a small number of calories during the fasting window to reduce hunger.
Research suggests that this modified approach can still contribute to weight loss, reduced inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels (1).
Insulin and Fasting
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. During fasting, insulin levels decrease, allowing the body to use stored fat for energy.
This metabolic shift promotes fat-burning and other beneficial processes like autophagy(2).
The Impact of Athletic Greens on Insulin and Fasting
Athletic Greens is a popular green supplement that offers a simple way to supplement your diet with essential nutrients.
However, it’s important to note that Athletic Greens does contain calories from various ingredients, including greens, fruits, and other whole-food extracts.
Consuming calories triggers the release of insulin as the body prepares to process and use the incoming energy. Even the modest caloric content of Athletic Greens can stimulate a mild insulin response.
But, if you’re practicing “dirty fasting” you are allowed to consume up to 100 calories in your fasting window.
With only 50 calories per scoop, one serving of Athletic Greens fits well within the range for this modified form of fasting. This means that even though you are technically breaking your fast, incorporating Athletic Greens into your fasting routine could still have plenty of health benefits.
Does Athletic Greens Break A Fast?
Athletic Greens does break a fast as it contains calories. Consuming calories during a fasting window can disrupt the benefits of fasting, so it’s best to avoid consuming Athletic Greens during a fasting period.
Can You Drink Green Juice While Intermittent Fasting?
As mentioned earlier, consuming any food that contains calories will break your fast. Therefore, drinking green juices during your fasting window will break your fast.
The best approach is to include green juices in your eating window, as this helps prevent an insulin spike and allows you to fully experience the benefits of intermittent fasting.
Conclusion
During fasting, the goal is to maintain low insulin levels to promote fat-burning and other metabolic benefits. Consuming Athletic Greens during the fasting period can lead to a temporary increase in insulin levels, potentially disrupting the fasting state and hindering desired outcomes such as fat-burning and autophagy.
If your fasting protocol focuses on maximizing these metabolic benefits, it is advisable to avoid consuming Athletic Greens during the fasting window.
Resources:
- https://www.health.com/weight-loss/dirty-fasting
- https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/your-health/living-well/intermittent-fasting-and-insulin-resistance-benefits-beyond-weight-loss
You Might Like:
- Do Green Supplements Break A Fast?
- What’s the Best Time to Take Greens Powder?
- Do Super Greens Help You Lose Weight?
- Does Athletic Greens Have Caffeine?
- Naked Greens Vs Athletic Greens: Comparison
Dina has two master’s degrees: one in Pharmacy and the other in Nutrition and Dietetics. She works as a nutritionist, dietitian, health consultant, and content writer. You can find her in the gym or surround by books about nutrition. She believes in balance and living life without restrictions. When she’s not eating or working out, she spends her days at the beach house with her family and friends.
