can we eat beetroot in fast - #22744
I am really confused about my diet during this fasting period. I started fasting for health reasons, and it's going okay but I keep wondering — can we eat beetroot in fast? I mean, I've read mixed things online. My friend claims beetroot is great because it’s low calorie and has some good nutrients, but then I stumbled upon a few forums saying it can break your fast. Weird, right? Last week, I tried having just a small serving of beetroot salad, and I felt something... off afterward. Maybe it was all in my head? I also had some cravings for sugary stuff which was tough. But seriously, can we eat beetroot in fast if it's raw or cooked? Sometimes I think if I’m eating stuff that’s technically okay during fasting but still might trigger insulin spikes, which confuses me more! Like, should I be counting beetroot since it’s carbs? I'm on the fence here and would really appreciate your thoughts on can we eat beetroot in fast without messing things up! Super worried about getting this right, but really like its flavor and wanted to include it somehow.
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Doctors' responses
Eating beetroot during a fasting period largely hinges on the type of fasting you are practicing. There are various fasting methods, each with its own guidelines and intended physiological benefits. If you’re doing intermittent fasting with a typical time-restricted eating window, such as 16/8 or similar, consuming beetroot during your eating window should be fine. Beetroot is indeed nutrient-rich and low in calories, supplying beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, the concern you’ve raised about insulin spikes and carbs is valid. Beetroot does contain sugars and carbohydrates, so for strict fasts aiming to keep insulin levels low, like fasting for ketogenic diet adherence or fasting mimicking diets, it might not fit seamlessly due to its natural sugars. Typically, during the fasting window of intermittent fasting, no calories—thus no beetroot— should be consumed to maintain a fasted state to induce processes like autophagy or fat metabolism.
If your objective is aligned with metabolic health or weight loss, then ensuring your fasting period is devoid of any calorie intake, including from beetroot, is necessary to prevent breaking the fasted state. Post-fast, whether the beetroot is raw or cooked, you can enjoy it during your eating periods. Alterations in sugar cravings can occur after consuming foods with natural sugars like beetroot, due to a shift in blood sugar levels even if minor; however, these cravings tend to reduce as you become more accustomed to the fasting regimen.
Be mindful of your overall carbohydrate load if you aim to keep it low or are watching for specific dietary reactions. Monitoring how you feel after incorporating different foods into your eating window can further help in personalizing your diet. If specific health outcomes such as glycemic control or ketone production are your goals, you might consider moderating beetroot intake. Always remember, if experiencing any symptoms that feel significantly ‘off,’ consulting with a healthcare professional to evaluate your dietary approach and its effects on your health is advisable.
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