I heard the same question virtually every time I gave pre-op instructions to a patient: Once I got to the part about "aught to eat or drink after …", nearly every one of them would look at me in anguish and ask, "Does that mean no coffee??"

I feel y'all.

Equally a connoisseur of caffeine, myself, I understand that fasting can be difficult enough without giving up coffee to do it. And the good news is: sometimes you don't have to!

The answer to this question depends on the blazon of fasting you lot're doing. Can yous drink java while doing …

Pre-surgical fasting? No, you absolutely may not drink coffee (or water – or beverages of any kind) afterwards the cutting-off time y'all're given. That'due south because the medications used in general anesthesia brand it easy for stomach contents to regurgitate into the esophagus, where they can exist inhaled. Not adept. So, you should never eat or beverage annihilation for several hours prior to a surgery with general anesthesia.

Fasting earlier claret tests? Yes, in most cases, yous may drinkable black coffee before a "fasting" claret test (or black tea if that's your preference). These beverages mostly will not impact the results of common fasting lab tests, like cholesterol (lipid panel), metabolic panel or blood glucose. To be safety, though, you should inquire your medico or call the lab in advance to run across if you can enjoy your morning coffee ready earlier you get your claret drawn. And what happens if yous cheat and add cream or sugar to your coffee before a fasting lab examination? Well, it can profoundly alter the results, and so exist sure to warning the lab tech and your doctor. You may exist asked to have the claret drawn all over once more.

Intermittent fasting? Yes, you lot tin can drink blackness coffee (or tea or pretty much whatsoever non-caloric drinkable) if you're doing intermittent fasting (IF). IF is based on a concept called "time-restricted feeding" in which you take in calories only during a small window of fourth dimension each twenty-four hour period. But black coffee does non incorporate calories, so drinking it won't break your fast. Now, if you add together cream or sugar, and then you've blown your fast considering those things comprise calories.

When you're asked to fast for medical reasons, it'due south important to follow your doctor's specific instructions – even if that means no java – considering breaking the fast could seriously jeopardize your health. Simply if you're fasting to lose weight or just considering y'all think it's a healthier lifestyle, you don't have to surrender coffee. In fact, y'all can consider it a picayune indulgence that might help you get through the fasting flow more than easily!