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

Search

Updated: Oct 19, 2020

Affiliate Disclosure

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

24,287 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

4 Breakfasts I Ate Every Week To Lose 20 Pounds Postpartum [Easy Breakfast Ideas For Weight Loss]

3960

My Absolutely Viral Blueberry Cottage Cheese Bowl Recipe

5060

5 Easy Ways To Use Cottage Cheese For Weight Loss [These Changed My Life]

8560

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? ›

Soups that contain protein and easily digestible carbs, such as lentils, tofu, or pasta, can gently break a fast. Avoid soups made with heavy cream or a large amount of high-fiber, raw vegetables. Vegetables. Cooked, soft, starchy vegetables like potatoes can be good food options when breaking a fast.

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.

Is oatmeal ok to break a fast? ›

The beauty of oats is that they're a great source of fibre and a small amount of protein. Like veggies, cooked oats may be easier to digest, if you have a sensitive stomach, after a fast. Steer clear of instant or quick oats, they contain a lot less fibre due to their processing.

What is the fastest way to lose weight with intermittent fasting? ›

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.

What not to eat after fasting? ›

Most foods that should be avoided when breaking a fast are hard to digest as they have been highly processed and are rich in fats, sugar, and calories. However, some healthy foods should also be avoided when breaking a fast, as they tend to be more difficult for our digestive enzymes to break down.

Are eggs ok 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.

How do you lose belly fat with intermittent fasting? ›

Best Intermittent Fasting Method For Subcutaneous Belly Fat
  1. 16/8 Method: Fast for 16 hours and have an 8-hour eating window daily. ...
  2. 5:2 Method: With the 5:2 method, you consume your regular diet five days a week and consume around 500-600 calories for two remaining fasting days.
Jul 30, 2023

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

Depending on your lifestyle and when you can manage to stop eating, the best hours for intermittent fasting include the 16/8 or 14/10 fasting periods. Intermittent fasting is hailed by many as the new mantra of weight loss, disease prevention, and reversal of aging.

Which meal is best to skip for weight loss in intermittent fasting? ›

In the case of Intermittent fasting, skipping your dinner is better and easier. You can have your dinner either early or have a heavy snack and can begin your fasting. Research suggests that fasting in the evening and overnight, then eating early in the morning is the better way to follow this diet to lose weight.

Can I eat peanut butter while fasting? ›

Foods rich in protein and fiber will fill you up, which is especially important on fasting days when you won't be eating as much. Some examples of protein and fiber rich foods include: chicken and lean meat, broccoli, milk, black beans, almonds, peanut butter, bananas and pasta. Don't over-indulge on non-fasting days.

Is tuna good to break a fast? ›

After the Fast

It's important to eat slowly, especially after longer fasts. I like to break fast with a hot cup of tea with a teaspoon of sugar. I'll then move onto something low in fiber, which is easier on the stomach, like a half bagel with tuna fish or a hard-boiled egg.

What foods are high in protein to break a fast? ›

Fish, poultry, eggs, meats: After a period of fasting, the body may benefit from replenishing amino acids and nutrients that support muscle repair, immune function, and overall well-being.

How to lose 10 pounds in a week? ›

To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.

How can I lose 5 pounds in a week? ›

Losing 5 pounds a week comes to reducing your food intake by 3500 calories over seven days. The value that represents the decrease in calorie intake is known as the calorie deficit. If you want to lose 5 pounds in a week, you will need to reduce your food intake by 17,500 calories, which is a huge calorie deficit.

Which intermittent fasting burns the most fat? ›

According to some researchers, fasting for 10–16 hours can cause the body to turn its fat stores into energy, which releases ketones into the bloodstream. This should encourage weight loss. This type of intermittent fasting plan may be a good option for beginners.

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.

What will ruin intermittent fasting? ›

Food and drinks that contain calories

Strictly speaking, any amount of calories will break a fast. If a person follows a strict fasting schedule, they should avoid any food or drinks containing calories. Those following a modified fasting diet can often eat up to 25% of their daily calorie needs while fasting.

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)

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6825

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.