Calories in Coffee: Does Coffee Break Your Fast?

Wondering if coffee breaks your fast? Learn how many calories are in coffee, which types are fasting-friendly, and how to enjoy your brew while intermittent fasting. Penningtons Tea & Coffee explains all.

Intermittent fasting has become one of the most popular health and wellness trends and for good reason. But if you’re a coffee lover, there’s one question you’re probably asking:

“Can I drink coffee while fasting?”
“Will coffee break my fast?”

At Penningtons Tea & Coffee, we believe in enjoying your daily brew with confidence — whether you’re fasting, counting calories, or simply enjoying your cup. In this guide, we’ll break down the calorie count in different types of coffee and explain how each affects your fasting window.

How Many Calories Are in Coffee?

Here’s the good news: black coffee is extremely low in calories — making it ideal for most intermittent fasting plans.

As long as you don’t add milk, cream, sugar, or flavoured syrups, your coffee is nearly calorie-free.

Does Coffee Break a Fast?

✅ Black Coffee: Fasting-Friendly

Drinking plain black coffee during a fast is generally considered safe and acceptable for the following fasting goals:

• Fat-burning (ketosis): Black coffee may even support it by boosting metabolism and fat oxidation.
• Mental clarity: Caffeine increases focus and energy while fasting.
• Cellular repair (autophagy): Black coffee is unlikely to interrupt autophagy significantly.
• Coffee Additives That Break a Fast
• Adding anything with significant calories can break your fast — or at least reduce its benefits.
• Milk (even a splash) contains 5–15 calories per tablespoon
• Cream can add 20–50 calories
• Sugar, honey, or syrups trigger an insulin response
• Bulletproof coffee (coffee + butter or MCT oil) contains 100–300+ calories and breaks a traditional fast
• If you’re fasting for calorie restriction or insulin sensitivity, even small additions can interfere.

Can Coffee Enhance Your Fast?

Yes when consumed in moderation and without additives, black coffee can support fasting by:

• Suppressing appetite
• Boosting metabolism
• Increasing alertness and focus
• Enhancing fat burning

Some studies even suggest that black coffee may promote autophagy, the cellular cleaning process triggered by fasting.

Which Coffee Is Best During a Fast?

Choose a high-quality, freshly roasted black coffee with rich flavour — so you don’t need to rely on milk or sweeteners.

Try:

• Penningtons Colombian Medium Roast – Smooth, nutty, perfect black
• Peru La Cima Single Origin – Bright and fruity with natural sweetness
• House Espresso Blend – Bold enough for fasting mornings

Common Coffee Fasting Mistakes

1. Using flavoured creamers or sweetened plant milks
2. Assuming “just a splash” won’t count
3. Drinking multiple lattes and calling it fasting

Stick to clean black coffee for best results.

✅ Final Verdict: Does Coffee Break Your Fast?

No, plain black coffee does not break your fast.
Yes, coffee with milk, sugar, or cream can break a fast.

As long as you enjoy your coffee without additives, it’s a fantastic companion to your fasting window — enhancing energy, focus, and even fat metabolism.

Enjoy Fasting-Friendly Coffees from Penningtons

At Penningtons Tea & Coffee, we offer an exceptional range of black coffees to support your health journey — from light floral single origins to bold espresso blends.