Does chewing gum break a fast?

Many people turn to the practice of fasting as a way to lose weight or improve their overall health. One common question that arises for those who chose to participate is whether or not chewing gum is allowed while fasting, ie does chewing gum break a fast. After all, chewing gum can be a convenient and low-to-no-calorie way to stave off hunger, freshen breath, and even improve oral health. 

However, it’s important to understand how chewing gum might affect your fast and whether or not it is allowed during different types of fasting. In other words, it may not be suitable to chew gum in all circumstances while it may be ok in others.

With that said, in what follows, we’ll be answering just that: whether or not you can chew gum while being in a fasted state. First, however, let’s define fasting!

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What is Fasting?

Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food and sometimes beverages for a defined period of time. There are many different types of fasting, the most popular being intermittent fasting; a type of fasting that involves restricting food intake for certain periods of time and then eating normally during other periods. 

Other types of fasting include alternate-day fasting, in which you eat every other day, and extended fasting, which involves abstaining from food for several days or even weeks.

An important aspect of fasting is knowing what you can eat and drink during the fast and what ‘breaks’ the fast.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what fasting is, let’s now address the question of whether or not chewing gum is allowed while fasting. Note that the answer depends on the type of fasting you are doing and your goals for fasting in the first place.

Also Read: Intermittent Fasting Benefits

Can you chew gum while fasting?

In general, it is generally okay to chew gum while you are in a fasted state, as long as it does not contain any calories and does not break your fast. Luckily, many types of gum are made with sugar substitutes that do not provide any calories, so they should not affect your fast. 

It’s important, however, to read the label to make sure the gum you are using does not contain any calories or other ingredients that could break your fast, for some types of gum do contain calories!

It’s also important to consider the purpose of your fast. If you are fasting for your weight loss program or to improve your overall health, it’s important to avoid consuming any calories whatsoever, including those from gum. 

If you are fasting for religious or spiritual reasons, however, the rules may be different.

For example, some religious fasts allow for the consumption of non-caloric fluids, such as water, tea, and coffee, but prohibit the consumption of solid food. In this case, chewing gum would likely be allowed, as long as it does not contain any calories.

Finally, it’s important to consider your goals and objectives when it comes to fasting. At the end of the day, unless you’re a pro bodybuilding competitor, a few calories during a fast won’t make any noticeable impact on your weight loss goals. After all, gum, even if it does contain calories, only contains 3-5 calories per piece.

You may even find chewing gum beneficial during your fast, for it’s been known to help resist temptation, kill cravings, and increase focus, ultimately providing those who chew gum a feeling of fullness. This is a welcome benefit during any fast! 

Also Read: The Right Way To Do Intermittent Fasting

A final thought

While fasting can be an effective way to lose weight and improve overall health, it’s important to do it safely and in a way that works for you. 

If you are considering fasting and have questions about whether or not certain activities, such as chewing gum, are allowed, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a nutritionist. They can provide guidance on how to safely incorporate fasting into your weight loss program and help you achieve your health goals.

In conclusion, whether or not you can chew gum while fasting depends on the type of fasting you are doing as well as your goals and objectives for fasting in the first place.

In general, however, chewing gum that does not contain any calories is 100% allowed during most types of fasting, including intermittent fasting. Even if a piece of gum contains 3-5 calories, you should be totally clear to proceed with chewing it. As mentioned earlier, it’s not going to make any recognizable impact. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you decide to indulge in a slice of chewing gum during any period of fasting. If it were up to me, I’d chew away!

About the Author

Coach Shivani

Shivani is a Precision Nutrition-Certified Nutrition Coach with experience of coaching thousands of women. As a mom of two, Shivani knows what it takes for women to achieve weight loss & a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise & sleep habits. She dislikes one-size-fits-all type advice.