Can you have coffee while fasting? Mumbai dietitians dissect how beverages can be consumed

As most Indians follow a fast during the festive season and throughout the year it is easy for some but may get difficult for others especially if you are new to itFollowing family tradition some take to it adventurously but Mumbai dietitians say you must express caution depending on the duration and even the type of fastEven as the Navratri fasting period is over others follow their weekly fasts making it extremely important to know what you can consume and cant especially for those spending more time at the workplace and fighting the urge to drink tea coffee and other beveragesCoffee tea and fastingBhakti Samant chief dietician at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai says It depends on the type of fast During intermittent fasting plain black coffee and unsweetened tea are generally acceptable while adding milk or sugar introduces calories and may break a strict fast However caffeine on an empty stomach can trigger acidity discomfort or palpitations in some people so moderation is advisable Water is the preferred option for hydration while unsweetened herbal tea may be another choice if permitted During religious fasting beverage choices should follow the specific fasting rules People with underlying health conditions should consult their doctor before fastingZamurrud Patel who is the chief dietitian at Gleneagles Hospital in Parel breaks it down further Yes you can generally drink coffee and tea while fasting but it depends on what type of fasting you are doingIf your fasting goal is only for weightloss or intermittent fasting then here are some tips to remember1 Black coffee and plain black tea or green tea without sugar milk cream or honey are usually considered okay They have almost zero calories so they dont break the fast They can also help control hungerHow to manage1 Keep it black no sugar jaggery milk2 Limit to 23 cups dont overdo caffeine3 Avoid flavoured coffees cold coffees with milksugar or chai latte as those will break the fast4 If you get acidity jitters or sleep issues cut down on consumptionFasting for religious reasonsIf your fasting is religious or very strict like nocalorie fasting then even coffee and tea are usually not allowed You should follow what your tradition or doctor advises youWhat beverages can one drink during most fasts1 Plain water is the best choice stay well hydrated2 Black coffee without sugarmilk3 Black tea green tea herbal teas without sugarmilk4 Sometimes black coffee with a tiny pinch of cinnamon is okay but no sweeteners5 In longer fasts some doctors allow lemon water or water with a pinch of saltelectrolytes but check with your doctorHeres what you should avoid during fasting windowMilk tea or coffee sugar honey juices diet sodas coconut water and bulletproof coffee with butterghee they all have calories and will break the fastTip If someone has acidity gastritis is pregnant breastfeeding or has thyroid diabetes or heart issues they should not have excess caffeine on an empty stomach and should check with their doctor before fasting