Pickle Juice and Intermittent Fasting | Your Complete Guide (2023)

FAQs

Can I drink pickle juice during intermittent fasting? ›

Because pickle juice contains less than one gram of carbohydrate, it will not spike insulin and therefore it won't break a fast. However, make sure the brand you're using does not contain added sugar -- otherwise this will break your fast.

Luckily, pickles are keto friendly, especially those that are of the dill pickle variety, as sugar is low. “Simply put, sweet pickles are made with sugar which will automatically push the carb count up,” says Hultin. “Dill or salt pickles don't have the added sugar and carbs, naturally,” she says.

None. Pickle juice should not be your choice of drink for weight loss. It is too high in sodium which can cause water retention and bloating. If you'd like to use it for its other possible but not necessarily proven health benefits, however, you can drink some but only in small quantities – about a 1 ounce shot a day.

Note: “Pickle juice is quite acidic due to vinegar so avoid drinking it empty stomach before a workout, as it can cause stomach issues”, adds Jaibharat. Another reason why pickle juice is every athlete's favourite pick-me-up is because it helps prevent or get rid of muscle cramps.

Drinking water regularly throughout the day can help reduce calorie intake because people often mistake thirst for hunger. The 16:8 diet plan permits the consumption of calorie-free drinks — such as water and unsweetened tea and coffee — during the 16-hour fasting window.

05/7​Lemon juice

Plain lemon water with only lemon juice is also allowed when following the intermittent fasting method. The drink contains almost zero calories and does not break your fast. Having one or two glasses of lemon drink, when following intermittent fasting can also help you burn fat and curb hunger.

Refined High-Carb Foods

Perhaps one of the most common things that kicks you out of ketosis is also the most tempting: foods high in refined carbs like bread, pasta, and rice. Most people find that they need to consume fewer than 20 grams of carbs per day to maintain ketosis.

“Pickle juice could help curb your appetite by stabilizing blood sugar. It's easier to lose weight and control appetite when your blood sugar's stable,” says Skoda. “And if you're drinking pickle juice for the probiotic benefit, improving digestion and metabolism could definitely help you lose weight.”

Cucumber is also suitable for the keto diet, as its carb content is just 3.63 g per 100 g.

Pickle juice has also been shown to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. Pickle juice can also help you lose weight. One study found that drinking pickle juice before meals helped people eat fewer calories and feel full. Another study revealed that drinking pickle juice could help boost metabolism and burn fat.

What happens if I drink pickle juice everyday? ›

Raised blood pressure: Water retention from eating large amounts of salt can increase blood pressure. Indigestion: Drinking too much pickle juice can lead to gas, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Cramping: Some doctors worry that drinking pickle juice may actually cause electrolyte imbalances and worsen cramping.

It's important to watch your intake of pickle juice because of its sodium content. It's high in sodium and easy to overdo it. Just 1 cup of it contains about 821 mg of sodium. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that most adults limit their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day.

It's a next-level source of hydration.

Lavy says approximately one and a half to three ounces of pickle juice per day should suffice—whether you're drinking the stuff straight or diluting it with water to tone down the flavor.

Some pickle juice contains probiotics, sources of bacteria that can help promote a healthy gut. The pickle juice with probiotics comes from cucumbers packed in a solution of salt water, also referred to as brine, and allowed to set until bacteria grow and consume most of the carbohydrates in the cucumber.

Those who have or are at risk for hypertension (high blood pressure) should avoid drinking pickle juice.

One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar contains about 3 calories and less than 1 gram of carbs. Therefore, it's unlikely that it would affect your fast — unless you took it in large quantities, which can be unsafe ( 2 ).

Often, people on the keto diet will recommend drinking pickle juice and eating pickles. It's a great source of potassium and sodium, and those electrolytes are important to healthy body functions. The vinegar in pickle juice can also help curb sugar spikes, helping you stay in ketosis.

Apple cider vinegar is safe to have while doing intermittent and prolonged fasting. It's low in carbohydrates, so it won't break your fast or stimulate insulin. In fact, adding ACV to your fasting program can support weight loss and help you fast for longer. ACV has many incredible health benefits.