Will a Protein Supplement Ruin Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a popular way to lose body fat, increase energy, and reduce inflammation in the body. Intermittent fasting restricts eating to only certain days and times to optimize the body’s metabolism. Most people agree on the basics of intermittent fasting, but those who do intermittent fasting are still sometimes unclear about what technically breaks a fast. Some wonder whether protein supplements will ruin their intermittent fasting and, if so, whether there are other supplements that they can take. To find out which amino acid supplements you can take without ruining your intermittent fast, continue reading as the experts from aminoVITAL® discuss the topic. 

Why BCAAs are Better For intermittent Fasting Than Protein

There are, essentially, two schools of thought when it comes to breaking intermittent fasts: those who think that any type of calorie will break their fast and those who believe that it’s okay to have small amounts of easily digestible calories while fasting.

According to a strict interpretation of intermittent fasting, even a small number of calories can interfere with the body’s ability to enter ketosis (the state in which the body burns fat). Therefore, even a single calorie can break the fast and cancel the expected benefits of intermittent fasting. Yet, some people believe that it’s fine to enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, bone broth, or nutritional supplement without ruining their chances of reaping the benefits of their intermittent fasting regimen. Consuming low-calorie foods, drinks, and supplements can provide the body with the electrolytes it needs and curb hunger, making it easier to stick to the intermittent fasting regimen.

Some people who practice intermittent fasting believe that consuming supplements will allow them to continue to work towards their fitness goals without compromising the benefits that come with intermittent fasting. Because they are easier to digest than protein, BCAA supplements are a better choice than protein supplements. Proteins must be broken down entirely before the body can utilize their amino acids. In contrast, free-form amino acids in BCAAs are absorbed by the body almost instantly, which is why they’re an excellent option for a post-workout supplement, or you can add them to a pre-workout drink.

Those who are committed to their intermittent fasting regimen should know that taking BCAA amino acid supplements is unlikely to affect their ability to reap the benefits of intermittent fasting. The BCAA supplements from aminoVITAL® contain very few calories and hardly any sugar, making them more easily incorporated into an intermittent fasting lifestyle.

Understanding Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting has become a worldwide dietary trend in recent years due to its effectiveness in helping people lose weight, burn fat, and improve their overall health. There are many ways to do intermittent fasting. Its versatility and adaptability make it an attractive option. It’s easy to understand different ways to incorporate intermittent fasting into any lifestyle. Below are some of the most common types of intermittent fasting.

16/8 Fasting

16/8 is one of the most popular types of intermittent fasting. People who do this type of intermittent fasting can eat only during an 8-hour window each day and fast for the other 16. It’s popular because it’s simple and sustainable and can easily fit into anyone’s lifestyle.

The 5:2 Diet

Another popular type of intermittent fasting is known as the 5:2 diet (also known as the Fast Diet), which involves eating a regular diet five days of the week and restricting calorie intake to 500 to 600 calories (sourced from either one medium-sized meal or two small meals) on the remaining two days.

Eat-Stop-Eat

This type of intermittent fasting is similar to the 5:2 model, except it’s more advanced. Instead of choosing two days to restrict calories, the person doing this type of intermittent fasting chooses two 24-hour periods during the week and doesn’t eat anything at all on those days.

Alternate Day Fasting

When doing alternate day fasting, the dieter will fast every other day–they’ll eat one day and then fast the next day, and will continue this pattern as long it feels right to them. This is one of the more advanced types of intermittent fasting since it can be difficult to fast every other day, so this isn’t recommended for people who are new to the intermittent fasting lifestyle.

The Warrior Diet

The Warrior Diet involves eating small amounts of raw fruits and vegetables over the course of the day and then eating one large, balanced meal at night. This is a good intermittent fasting regimen for beginners because they can eat during the day, even if it’s only raw fruits and vegetables, and are not required to go through any days without being able to eat.

Spontaneous Meal Skipping

This type of intermittent fasting is the least involved and involves only skipping meals occasionally when hunger levels are the least strong.

Amino Acid Supplements Available from AminoVITAL

If done safely, intermittent fasting can be an effective way to boost athletic performance and increase overall health. If you’re interested in learning more about the supplements you can take while doing intermittent fasting, get in touch with the experts from aminoVITAL® to learn more about using BCAAs during your intermittent fasting period. Call (888) 264-6673 to speak with them today.