Teas for Intermittent Fasting

For the past couple of months there has been quite a lot of buzz about intermittent fasting. Sadly, COVID has disrupted many of our daily routines and forced us to adopt more sedentary lifestyles which has resulted in weight gain for many of us. We’ve had a number of inquiries asking which teas should be used during fasting periods and we’ll share our insights today.

So, what is intermittent fasting? Typically, it’s a daily fast for 12 to 16 hours or 24 hours once or twice a week. It’s not a diet but rather an eating pattern that helps to detox the body while optimizing the body’s metabolic system.

Fasting is nothing new and has been part of our culture for hundreds of years as many religions incorporate seasonal fasting. Further, many yogic philosophies entail routine fasting as well. They also encourage specific types of food to be eaten before and after a fasting period. However, that is another conversation for another day.

Back to intermittent fasting…we have tried it and believe there are many benefits to fasting. Almost immediately it seems to kick your metabolism into gear and improve mental clarity rapidly too! The trick is to not feel hungry and that’s where tea helps to a remarkable degree. Our approach is holistic: use fasting to improve overall health by eating less, detoxing the body and boosting the immune system. Our preference is to drink tea sans additives every one to two hours during the fasting period as it satiates the appetite and improves focus. This is especially important for 24 hour fasts as those days can seem extra long without eating.

Full disclaimer: any tea will fill your empty tummy to help stave off hunger, but some teas are more satisfying and provide additional health benefits. Plus, each body reacts uniquely to various teas so you must listen to your body. Below are some suggestions which we have tried successfully.

Morning
To gently start your day, drink a green tea (Himalayan Evergreen Green Tea is a great choice) or a light black tea such as our newly arrived Arya Spring Black Tea. An herbal option packed with goodness is Holy Ginger Herbal Tea. A brief note about ginger, it really helps increase satiety and combined with holy basil it bolsters the immune system which is especially important as the season changes to more cool temps and more indoor time.

Mid-morning
We highly recommend Hibiscus Herbal Tea which has such a complex and interesting flavor profile. Plus, it really feels filling and satisfying. Hibiscus tea purportedly reduces belly fat. We have a friend from Brazil who says it’s widely used there and swears by it! Otherwise, continue with any of the above teas.

Afternoon
To add a little pizzazz, we suggest Roch-cha Chai or Ginger Turmeric Herbal Tea, both teas have ginger and other flavorful ingredients that make it such a satisfying cup!

Late Afternoon
If you can tolerate caffeine, we highly suggest whisking a bowl of matcha and having your own tea ceremony to center yourself. Another good choice is Moroccan Mint, a delightful green tea or try our Chaga mushroom organic herbal tea loaded with immune bolstering properties.

Evening
At least an hour before bedtime, we suggest drinking Serenitea organic herbal tea or Chamomile tea. Think positive thoughts and sleep well!

As we move into fall, focusing on our health, has never been more important. We encourage you to try intermittent fasting and would love to hear about your approach and which teas you have used. As always, wishing you good health and peace!

Stay well!