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 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.
Feb 16, 2023

Can you eat scrambled eggs 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 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 is the best thing to eat after a 16 hour fast? ›

You should opt for foods such as fish and lean meats, legumes, whole grains and fresh vegetables, among others such as those listed below. These are options that, in addition to being healthy, are easily digested, promote the maintenance of muscle mass and satiety [1].

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 ...

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 foods have almost no calories? ›

Apples are most effective for heart health as they can lower blood cholesterol levels.
  • Cucumber. Cucumbers are another amazing zero-calorie food. ...
  • Grapefruit. Grapefruit is another food that also falls among the category of foods with almost zero calories. ...
  • Cabbage. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Strawberries. ...
  • Celery. ...
  • Kale.

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? ›

Breaking your fast with foods that are especially high in fat, sugar, or even fiber can be difficult for your body to digest, leading to bloating and discomfort. Foods and drinks that can be even more shocking to your system after a fast include those like a greasy cheeseburger, slice of cake, or soda.

Are boiled eggs good to break a fast? ›

Eggs. Eggs have protein and other nutrients you need after you break a fast. They're also easy to digest. And that's the key when selecting a post-fast meal—don't over-tax your digestive system.

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

Here's a simple checklist to follow for effective belly fat loss through intermittent fasting: Choose your fasting schedule: The 16/8 method (16 hours of fasting and an 8-hour eating window) is a popular choice. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water during your fasting periods to stay hydrated and aid digestion.

Why am I not losing weight on 16 8 fasting? ›

If you've tried intermittent fasting but aren't losing weight, possible reasons why include overeating during your eating window and poor food choices. To help, you can try eating fewer calories, work on balancing your meals, or create a smaller or larger eating window.

How much weight can you lose in a month with intermittent fasting? ›

If you consistently stay active while following intermittent fasting, you can lose as much as 6-8 pounds per month. This estimation is shockingly high when you consider that all you have to do is not eat for select hours throughout the day.

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 do you break a 12 hour intermittent fast? ›

While breaking the fast, it is important to remember that you have not eaten anything from past 12 to 16 hours, so the first meal should be light and small. If you eat a large meal, your body will get confused and will find it difficult to digest it. You will start feeling bloaty and lethargic.

Can I eat cheese to break intermittent fasting? ›

Cheese can give you with protein and fat during an intermittent fast, which will make you feel satisfied. But because cheese is high in calories, moderation is essential. Opt for healthier options such as portion-controlled or low-fat kinds.

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