The Best Foods to Break Your Intermittent Fast For Weight Loss [+3 FREE Recipes!!] (2024)

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Updated: Oct 19, 2020

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Intermittent Fasting has a ton of benefits including improved insulin sensitivity and decreased bloating.(1) But these can stop short if you aren't optimizing your eating window with foods that will support your goal. Today, I'm sharing the best foods to break your intermittent fast, plus three free recipes to get you started!

The Best Foods To Break An Intermittent Fast

If you break your fast with a high carbohydrate or high sugar meal (such as oatmeal with syrup, cereal or a high sugar açaí bowl), this will cause a spike in your blood glucose and therefore a spike in your storing hormone insulin. And if weight loss is your goal, then this is exactly opposite of what you are looking to achieve. Plus, this roller coaster of blood glucose levels leads you to crave more sugar packed foods, again working entirely against your goals in the first place.

Instead of this roller coaster effect, you want to optimize your meals with blood glucose stabilizing foods. This is where ensuring that your break-fast has protein, fat and fiber (as well as low sugar) is key. In fact, AENpeeps around the world utilize this component of proper Nutrient Timing within their eating window to help tap into fat burning, boost satiety and achieve their weight loss goals.

In fact, studies have found that meals focused on satiating foods, particularly those rich in protein, significantly boost fat burning mechanisms and help study participants achieve a weight loss goal without feeling hungry!(2)

Protein stimulates our satiety hormone called peptide YY, whereas fat largely stimulates the satiety hormone cholecystokinin, aka CCK.(3,4) This effect combined can help to stabilize blood glucose levels while reducing the urge to snack or eat between meals for multiple hours. Fiber helps to act on the stretch mechanism within our stomach and lets the brain know that we're satisfied and don't need to keep eating.

Protein rich foods include eggs, cheese, greek yogurt, meat, fish, chicken, tempeh and lentils.

Fat rich foods include avocado, dairy products, nuts, seeds, high quality oils and olives.

Fiber rich foods include chia seeds, flax seeds, raspberries, artichoke, cacao nibs and other green veggies.

Checkout these three recipes that utilize the blood glucose stabilizing principles of protein, fat and fiber!

The Best Foods to Break Your Intermittent Fast For Weight Loss [+3 FREE Recipes!!] (3)

PB + Banana Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients:

10 oz homemade coconut milk1/2 frozen banana1 scoop unflavored collagen 2 Tbsp. peanut butter 🥜 1 Tbsp. Chia seeds1 Tbsp. Flax seeds1 tsp. CinnamonPinch of sea salt

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Optional to top with cacao nibs.

Chia Brekky Bowl

(featured from the 7 Day Intermittent Fasting Detox!)

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chia seeds14.5 oz. can full fat coconut milk1 cup unsweetened coconut milk from a carton (or make your own HERE)pinch of sea salt

Toppings (per serving):1/4 cup your favorite nut/seed mixture (I love cashews, pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes and almonds!)

1/2 - 1 cup blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or strawberries

1. Combine chia seeds, coconut milk (can) and coconut milk (carton/homemade) and a pinch of sea salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine and allow the mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Split the chia pudding into 6 small glass mason jars to use throughout the week. Top with the listed toppings.

The Best Foods to Break Your Intermittent Fast For Weight Loss [+3 FREE Recipes!!] (4)

Curry Salad Wrap

Serves 2

Ingredients:

5 hard boiled eggs (or 6-8 oz. tempeh for a plant-based alternative), chopped

1 celery stalk, diced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

1 tsp. curry powder

2-3 Tbsp. cashews, chopped

2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds

2 Tbsp. real mayo (or unsweetened nut milk yogurt for a plant-based alternative)

pinch of sea salt

2 coconut wraps (I used Nuco)

  1. In a bowl, combine the eggs (or tempeh), celery, red onion, curry powder, cashews, sunflower seeds, real mayo (or nut milk yogurt) and a pinch of sea salt. Stir to combine.

  2. Lay one coconut wrap on each plate. Split the curry salad between the two wraps. Fold the wrap into a burrito and enjoy!

  3. This is great served with fresh jicama slices, cucumber slices or a side salad for an extra boost of fiber!

Gain access to 100+ Intermittent Fasting recipes and the step-by-step details on how to achieve your wellness goals with the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle protocols!

Tap into fat burning mechanisms, eat meals you LOVE and achieve your weight loss goals! Head over HERE to get started!

Your Nutritionist,

Autumn

The Best Foods to Break Your Intermittent Fast For Weight Loss [+3 FREE Recipes!!] (6)

Autumn Elle Nutrition

  • Intermittent Fasting
  • Healthy Recipes

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The Best Foods to Break Your Intermittent Fast For Weight Loss [+3 FREE Recipes!!] (2024)

FAQs

The Best Foods to Break Your Intermittent Fast For Weight Loss [+3 FREE Recipes!!]? ›

Protein rich foods include eggs, cheese, greek yogurt, meat, fish, chicken, tempeh and lentils. Fat rich foods include avocado, dairy products, nuts, seeds, high quality oils and olives. Fiber rich foods include chia seeds, flax seeds, raspberries, artichoke, cacao nibs and other green veggies.

What is the best thing to eat when breaking an intermittent fast? ›

“I would recommend a complete protein that has healthy fats and is loaded with vitamins and minerals, like eggs,” he says. “You still need to get about 25 to 35 grams of fiber in your system, so having high-fiber products as well such as beans, legumes, and anything ending in '-berry' should be on the plate.”

What is the best food for weight loss during intermittent fasting? ›

Some options include:
  • vegetable oils such as canola, olive, or sunflower.
  • brown rice, whole wheat bread, and other whole grains.
  • whole fruits and vegetables.
  • fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other protein sources such as beans and legumes.
  • salt-free seasonings such as herbs and spices.

How to break intermittent fasting for weight loss? ›

When you're ready to break a fast, focus on easily tolerated foods that don't contain high amounts of sugar, fat, fiber, or complex carbs that could be difficult to digest. You can then ease back into a normal, healthy eating pattern.

Can I eat eggs to break a 3 day fast? ›

Some of the best foods to consume when breaking a fast include diluted apple cider vinegar, bone broth, spinach, kale, eggs, fish, nuts, chia seeds, dried fruits, cooked broccoli, cooked cauliflower, watermelon, bananas, and fermented foods such as unsweetened yogurt.

What is the best food to eat after fasting for 16 hours? ›

Eat a small, well-balanced meal to break the fast. Slowly increase your calories over six days, according to the double-fasting-time rule (32) Use soups, broths, and smoothies for the first 48 hours. Incorporate complex carbs, fish, dairy, and eggs after the first 48 hours.

Are eggs good to break a fast? ›

No matter whether you enjoy them scrambled, boiled, or even cooked in an omelet, eggs can be a fantastic food to choose when breaking a fast. They are packed with high-quality protein, are relatively easy to tolerate, and are a nutritional powerhouse.

What is the best intermittent fasting window to lose belly fat? ›

A 2023 review of research found that the 16/8 method and 16/8 combined with restricting calories were effective strategies for weight control in adults with overweight or obesity. An eating window starting before noon led to greater weight loss than one that began after noon.

How many chapatis should I eat in a day to lose belly fat? ›

For weight loss, four chapatis per day are recommended. If you follow intermittent fasting and are considering consuming 3 chapatis during lunch you must consider the calorie intake – by calculating how many calories 3 chapatis have along with calories in the vegetables and salad you consume.

What not to eat after fasting? ›

The foods on this list are fairly difficult to digest, especially after hours of fasting.
  • Processed Foods. ...
  • Sugary Foods. ...
  • High-Fat Foods. ...
  • Coffee and caffeinated drinks. ...
  • Meat. ...
  • More Foods to Avoid After a Prolonged Fast. ...
  • Stomach issues. ...
  • Blood sugar spikes.
Sep 28, 2023

Can I eat whatever I want while intermittent fasting and still lose weight? ›

It's not a diet, so unless you have individual dietary restrictions, you can eat whatever you want within the eight-hour time frame. But the plan will work best for weight loss if you are already making smart, nutrient-rich choices, said NBC News health and nutrition editor Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph. D.

What food doesn't break intermittent fasting? ›

A List of Foods You Can Eat Without Breaking a Fast
  • Water.
  • Black coffee.
  • Plain tea.
  • Salt water.
  • Non-sweetened electrolyte water.
  • Non-sweetened sparkling water.
  • Lemon juice (1 tbsp or less)
  • Apple cider vinegar.
Feb 28, 2020

Is peanut butter good to break a fast? ›

Peanut Butter: Peanut butter and nuts are incredibly helpful when it comes to keeping energy levels up, as well as providing satiety, since they offer an ideal proportion of carbs, protein and healthy fats, says Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD, author of the new Meals That Heal: 100+ Anti-Inflammatory Recipes in 30 Minute or ...

Can I eat a banana while fasting? ›

Banana can be consumed during fasting to increase the energy of the body. There is no feeling of hunger after eating banana and the strength of the body also increases. If you are a diabetic patient, then you should not consume more than 2 bananas in a day.

Can I eat bananas after fasting? ›

Breaking your fast with fresh fruit is a gentle way to reintroduce nutrients into your system. Fruits like bananas, apples, papayas, and pomegranates are great choices. They are not only nutritious but also aid indigestion.

How do you break a 16 hour intermittent fast? ›

Resume eating with a small meal and eat slowly. Start with a nourishing bone broth or some psyllium husk in water. Eat a small fresh salad of tomato and cucumber and keep your protein on the light side, such as fish or chicken, and small — about the size of your palm or a deck of cards.

How to refeed after fasting? ›

Foods that are easy to digest are best, especially the first few days. Avoid junk food and highly-processed foods. Stick to foods and liquids like the following: Broth (plain or with added fats such as heavy cream or butter)

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