Have you heard of intermittent fasting? While new weight-loss programs pop up from time to time (that’s an intermittent joke, folks!), intermittent fasting, or IF, is different from other weight-loss methods. Rather than prescribe what you eat, IF is all about when you eat.
Fasting is not a new concept. It is a practice that has often been employed for religious reasons or medical ones. And rather than trying to lose weight by just stopping eating altogether, which is unhealthy, intermittent fasting offers a mix of times of fasting and times of eating that work to help a person lose weight in a healthy fashion.
That said: anyone considering embarking on an intermittent fasting weight loss program should consult with their physician to make sure they’re not putting themselves at risk. The Hemp Division is not recommending this or any other weight loss program, because we’re hemp experts, not doctors! However, if you have considered intermittent fasting, we’ll let you know if you can still enjoy our all-natural hemp beverages and not blow your hard work!
First, however, some basic IF deets.
Intermittent Fasting Basics
Like we said, IF is all about when you eat and when you don’t. But before you think wow, awesome, I just won’t eat when I sleep and then I’ll eat when I’m awake… hold your scales a minute. It’s a little more structured (and disciplined) than that. There are, however, three popular methods from which to choose, so you can pick the fasting program you’re most comfortable with.
- The 16/8 method. The 16/8 represents hours of fasting (16) and hours for eating (8). The idea is that you can eat from 1-9PM (or your preferred range of 8 hours) and then nothing for 16 straight. If you love breakfast, this may not be the program for you as it generally involves skipping that meal, but it tends to be the most popular as it does utilize your sleeping hours as fasting hours.]
- Eat-Stop-Eat. Before you think this means eat half a pizza, take a 30-minute break, and then eat the other half of the pizza, think again. This method requires 24 straight hours of not eating, at least once or twice a week. That simple.
- 5:2. With this method, you eat regularly five days a week. The other two days, rather than a total fast, you reduce your intake to 500-600 calories per day, which represents roughly 25% of normal daily caloric intake.
Whichever method is chosen, it’s important not to go hog-wild and binge like crazy during the eating periods of time. That undoes all the hard work of fasting and will not bring about the desired results.
So, why does this style of eating/not eating produce results? There is science behind the effects that fasting has on your body, which include:
- Increasing the levels of growth hormone in your body, which can have a positive effect on fat loss and increased muscle.
- A drop in insulin levels, which allows for greater access to stored body fat.
- Autophagy. After a longer period of fasting, cells begin a repair process known as autophagy. This is the body’s way of recycling damaged or unnecessary cellular components. In other words, it gets rid of cellular junk.
While there are known weight-loss benefits to fasting, studies are still being done to understand its other possible benefits to our health.
So, the big question is: when you’re fasting, can you have tea or coffee?
Yes. Yes You Can.
During the fasting periods, having non-caloric beverages is permitted. They are particularly helpful in helping you have a feeling of fullness, staying hydrated, and being a distraction from not eating. While any non-caloric beverage is fine, we’re going to talk about how our CBD teas, cold drinks and coffees can be your intermittent fasting buddies.
It’s an opportunity to introduce another healthy habit. While you’re working hard to lose weight, why not introduce yourself to some beverages that are made with ingredients that contribute to the overall healthy lifestyle you’re embracing. If you haven’t tried our all-natural hemp beverages with CBD in various levels, they’re all perfect supplements to an intermittent fasting regimen. With no added sugars, you’ll be adding healthy antioxidants to your diet while experiencing the body-relaxing and mood-elevating properties of CBD. Who doesn’t need to get more relaxed and chill while trying to lose weight?
It can help you feel satisfied. Reaching for your favorite CBD beverage while resisting the desire to eat can bring a feeling of familiarity and comfort. Keep those stress hormones at bay (they can cause you to hang onto weight or eat off-schedule) and your fasting regimen intact with a cup of your go-to tea. A fan favorite like Center, our hot cinnamon spice tea, is a perfect way to feel like you’re getting something sweet without having any sugar. Have a chocolate craving? Try Boom, a chocolate and coconut hot tea that will have you saying, “Who needs a Mounds candy bar?” Need some effervescence and flavor without the sugar of a soda but with added CBD benefit? Now you’re talkin’ Spark. Choose Orange Mango or Tangy Lime (or both) for a fasting pick-me-up.
Coffee, tea or CBD? Fortunately, you don’t have to choose. For coffee lovers needing a caffeine boost during a breakfast-free start to your day, our new Lift -- a premium iced pure black CBD coffee -- and Ace -- a premium iced maple CBD nitro coffee -- are just the ticket to get you through the morning fast (as in without food, not quickly!). Coffee can help you focus and provide a feeling of fullness-- just avoid the cream (a little is ok) and sugar (definitely a no-no during IF). Stay tuned for our CBD ground coffee, coming your way soon!
Another IF favorite to get through those food-free mornings is butter coffee, a breakfast substitute that will help keep you satisfied until it’s time to eat. It’s easy to make at home, tastes better than you might be thinking and gets a boost of CBD from our MCT oil.
Butter Coffee
2 ½ tablespoons ground coffee
6-9 oz. filtered water
1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons MCT oil (use your desired amount)
1-2 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter
Brew the coffee and add the MCT oil and ghee or butter. Combine with a frother or in a blender for a latte-like consistency. That’s it! It’s satisfying and delicious.
And when hunger pangs are keeping you up at night, our Sleep CBD tea is just the ticket to help lull you into the night. We are not responsible for nacho or ice cream dreams, however. Those are on you.
If you’re embarking on the intermittent fasting weight-loss plan, we hope these CBD tips will help you achieve your goals. We wish you luck and encourage you to be safe and stay healthy!
