There may be a lot of new questions that come up when fasting. Does chewing gum break a fast is one of them?
The response is that it relies on how stringent you want to be about keeping a fast.
Technically, you could end your fast with just one calorie.
However, a 20–30 calorie threshold can be acceptable for those new to fasting or following a more modest version of the practice.
You can drink green tea, black coffee, freshly squeezed juice, or occasionally coffee flavored with stevia or a little almond milk.
How about chewing gum, though? Does Chewing Gum Break a Fast?
A lot of people ask, can I chew gum while fasting? Does chewing gum break a fast?
It does break it, but you will retain its advantages. One piece of gum may only have 10–11 calories, well below the quantity needed to undo the benefits of fasting.
You will eat fewer calories if you choose the sugar-free gum alternatives, which are more advised. This might prevent triggering an insulin response.
The fast is broken with any food that can cause an insulin response. Consuming foods high in healthy fats in moderation is the exception because they are digested differently.
They are still advantageous even if you are simultaneously fasting and following a ketogenic diet.
Let me explain why here is where things can become a bit sticky.
1. Does Chewing Gum Contain Calories?
You’ll find that different brands of gum have different calorie counts. It is essential to read product information before committing to a purchase as a result.
Approximately 2-3 grams of gum, or a little piece, can have up to 11 calories. However, there is a vast selection, and you will find pieces of gum after pieces with more than 20 calories.
If you purchase a pack of gum with 20 calories and consume five pieces daily, you are ingesting 100 calories without realizing it. That sum is sufficient to end a fast.
2. Does Chewing Gum Break a Fast?
A lot must be confused on can you chew gum while fasting? Anyone who engages in intermittent fasting knows that, technically, consuming any calories within the fasting period will end the fast.
However, whether chewing gum would undermine your efforts depends on your chosen intermittent fasting technique.
The more restrictive diets follow a strict, zero-calorie policy. Therefore, even a single piece of chewing gum will end your fast.
Anyone who engages in intermittent fasting knows that, technically, consuming any calories within the fasting period will end the fast.
However, whether chewing gum would undermine your efforts depends on your chosen intermittent fasting technique.
3. Does Gum without sugar break a fast?
This is a reasonable follow-up query, given the abundance of sugar-free chewing gums on the market. Sugar-free choices must be acceptable if sugar is the issue, right?
Unless you routinely monitor your blood sugar levels, that is. The issue is that artificial sweeteners are found in sugar-free gum.
Unfortunately, even artificial sweeteners can raise insulin levels in certain people. Although not everyone experiences it, the only proper way to know is if you routinely check your blood glucose levels.
It is quite a tough and time-consuming thing to perform from the comfort of your home so that you can chew some gum.
4. Can I substitute something else for chewing gum during my fast?
Are you looking for different ways to add flavor or freshness to your fasting period?
Parsley and ginger are well known for being low-calorie, low-sugar substitutes for gum. I can suggest alternative options to keep you from smelling like ginger and appearing a little insane.
If you must eat or drink while fasting, choose a drink. After all, maintaining hydration when fasting is one of the keys to success.
You have the following options:
- Lemon Water
Lemon is a natural antioxidant and has few calories. It will slake your thirst and be excellent for your digestive system. Just be mindful not to squeeze the lemons too hard!
- Green tea
When consumed naturally, green tea provides several advantages. Studies have indicated that it can lower cholesterol levels and suppress hunger.
If you need some ginger, try making ginger tea instead of eating it to get the digestive advantages of it.
- Cinnamon
By controlling blood sugar levels, cinnamon can support fasting by being added to black coffee.
- Black coffee
Black coffee is arguably the most well-liked fasting beverage. Black coffee has a high caffeine content and can help with losing weight.
As you’ll see, you can choose from numerous alternatives to chewing gum. All of the beverages on the above list are not only safe to consume, but they will also fill your tummy.
This is crucial because when you chew gum, your stomach will believe that food is about to be consumed. You will become much more hungry when the food does not arrive. It would help you avoid these pointless risks when trying too fast.
5. The Takeaway
Does chewing gum break a fast, in conclusion? Eating gum while fasting may not be the best idea. Limit your consumption to any drinks mentioned above if you must eat something during your fasting window.
They won’t cause a spike in blood sugar. Instead, they will provide you with enough nutrition and hydration to keep you energized until your next meal.
The secret is to select gum that does not have sugar, which is also a dangerous substance, if you want to maintain the advantages of intermittent fasting. It’s not funny to eliminate sugar cravings only to get abdominal pain from consuming too many artificial sweeteners.
If you have sweet cravings and start to feel anxious when fasting, you can chew gum that doesn’t have sugar. Black coffee, water, and lemon water are the best choices for maintaining insulin levels while fasting.
