A short list of what keeps a fast going, what ends it, and the few drinks people argue about.
Short answer
While intermittent fasting you can drink water, sparkling water, black coffee and plain unsweetened tea. Anything with calories, such as milk, juice, sugar, soft drinks, smoothies or alcohol, breaks the fast.
Coffee or tea with milk, cream, sugar, honey or syrup
Fruit juice and smoothies
Regular soft drinks and energy drinks
Milk and plant milks
Protein shakes
Alcohol
Bone broth (it has calories, though some longer-fast plans allow it)
The grey area
Diet drinks and sweeteners: no calories, but some people find sweet taste makes them hungrier. Views differ on whether they affect a fast.
A splash of milk in coffee: technically it breaks the fast. Some people accept it because it helps them keep going. Decide what you will count and stay consistent.
Lemon in water: a slice is fine for most purposes.
These rules are for intermittent fasting. If you are fasting for a blood test, surgery or religious reasons, follow the instructions you were given.
Keep drinks simple with Bide
Bide does not ask you to log food or count calories. You track the fast and your water, and nothing else.
1
Run the timer
Start your fast and the ring shows how far you are and how long is left.
2
Log water with quick add
Tap +250 ml or +500 ml on the water card each time you drink.
3
Follow your daily water goal
Bide sets a daily water goal during setup. The card shows your progress towards it through the day.
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Common questions
No. Black coffee has almost no calories and is widely accepted during intermittent fasting. Adding milk, cream or sugar changes that.
Yes, if it is plain and unsweetened. Black, green and herbal teas are all fine.
It has no calories, so it does not break a fast in the strict sense. Whether sweeteners have other effects is debated. If in doubt, keep it for your eating window.
Sources
The studies and health guidance this guide draws on.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before fasting if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, have a health condition or take medication.
