Are artificial sweeteners allowed when fasting?
in Diabetes, Dr. Jason Fung, Intermittent fasting, Q&A, Weight loss 
There are tons of questions about intermittent fasting, like these:
- Are artificial sweeteners allowed when fasting?
- Does fat interfere with autophagy during fasting?
- 500-calorie meal on fasting day?
Dr. Jason Fung is one of the world’s leading experts on fasting for weight loss or diabetes reversal. Here are a his answers to those questions and more:
Are artificial sweeteners allowed when fasting?
Hello,
I have a sweet tooth and its difficult for me to have plain black coffee or tea. Stevia or xylitol would be risking the results of the fasting?
Macarena
Artificial sweeteners may stimulate insulin release. You can try fasting with the sweeteners – if you get good results, then continue.
Dr. Jason Fung
Does fat interfere with autophagy during fasting?
Hello Jason,
Specifically, does coconut oil, being 100% fat only and little else, have an effect on autophagy when it keeps ketones high as well?
Nicholas
Likely not, although research is lacking. Autophagy mostly turns off with protein.
Dr. Jason Fung
500-calorie meal on fasting day?
A number of fasting regimes (Every Other Day Diet and 5:2 Diet) recommend having a 500 to 600 calorie meal on ‘fasting’ days. Why is this? To me, this would spike insulin and temporarily break the fast. Wouldn’t it be better to just not eat anything on the fasting day? Is there a specific physiological reason why these authors recommend this, or is it to encourage participants’ compliance?
Thank you,
Jeff
The reason authors recommend it is because they believe a full fasting day (0 calories) is too hard for most people. I disagree. However, they do get good results with this modification and I have no problem with these sorts of regimens.
Dr. Jason Fung
More
Intermittent Fasting for Beginners
More questions and answers
Earlier Q&A sessions with Dr. Fung:
- “Do You Have Any Suggestions to Improve Sleep When Fasting?”
- When Should You Eat While Doing Intermittent Fasting?
- How Permanent Is the Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Insulin Resistance?
Many more questions and answers:
Q&A videos
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Is low carb bad for exercise?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Is low carb bad for the kidneys?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Everything in moderation?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Is low carb bad for the environment?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Is low carb an extreme diet?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Are there potential dangers with a low-carb diet?]()
![Women's questions introduction]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![What is the main benefit of low carb?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Does the brain need carbohydrates?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Can low carb and keto help with PMS?]()
![Is low carb bad for gut bacteria?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Why is low carb important to you?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Can low carb make menopause easier?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Is low carb bad for the thyroid?]()
![Is saturated fat bad?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Is there a link between low carb and eating disorders?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Can you get depressed on low carb?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Can fasting be problematic for women?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![How do you maximize your health?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Do you need more carbs when breastfeeding?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Can exercise be problematic for women?]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Isn't weight loss all about counting calories?]()
Top Jason Fung videos
![Diet Doctor Podcast #64 with Jason Fung]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![Part 8 of Dr. Jason Fung's diabetes course]()
- MEMBERS ONLY
![The essential problem with type 2 diabetes]()
