Fasting is a powerful way to grow closer to God, but knowing what you can drink without breaking your fast is just as important as the fast itself. The right drinks—like water, herbal tea, and black coffee—can support your body and help you stay focused spiritually. Avoid anything with sugar, cream, or artificial additives, as these can shift your body into digestion mode and take your focus off God.
Understanding which drinks keep you aligned with the purpose of your fast can make your experience more effective and sustainable. Whether you’re doing a water-only fast or something like the Daniel Fast, there’s a clear, simple way to stay on track. Keep reading for a deeper dive into exactly what you can drink, why it matters, and how to stay spiritually strong while you fast.
Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline. It brings clarity, humbles your heart, and draws you closer to God. But if you’ve ever wondered what you can drink during a fast without breaking it, you’re not alone.
Whether you’re doing a Daniel Fast, an intermittent-style spiritual fast, or a complete water-only fast, knowing what drinks support your fast (and what breaks it) is essential. Let’s get into the details.
Why Fasting Matters Spiritually
Before we dive into the drinks, let’s remind ourselves why we fast.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:16, “When you fast…”—not if. It’s expected. Fasting isn’t about starving yourself. It’s about setting aside physical things to seek God more deeply. It breaks spiritual strongholds, aligns your heart with God’s will, and helps you hear His voice more clearly.
Now, during a fast, food is off the table (literally), but many people don’t realize that some drinks can either support or sabotage the fast.
What Doesn’t Break a Spiritual Fast?
Let’s be clear. A spiritual fast isn’t a diet. The goal isn’t calorie control—it’s obedience and closeness to God. That said, certain drinks can help sustain your body without disrupting the spiritual purpose of the fast.
Here are 7 drinks that support your fast and keep you spiritually focused:
1. Water (Always Safe)
This one’s obvious, but it’s worth saying: water is your best friend during any fast.
- It hydrates you
- Helps flush toxins
- Keeps your body functioning
Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). While the Bible doesn’t specify if He drank water, it’s safe to assume He did. The human body can’t go more than a few days without it.
💡Tip: Add a pinch of sea salt to your water once a day to keep your electrolytes balanced.
2. Herbal Tea (No Sugar, No Calories)
Herbal teas made from plants like mint, chamomile, or rooibos are great during a fast.
- They have zero calories if unsweetened
- Support digestion and relaxation
- Help reduce hunger pangs
Stick with caffeine-free varieties to avoid taxing your system, especially on longer fasts.
✔️ Okay: Peppermint tea, hibiscus tea
❌ Avoid: Sweetened, fruity teas or anything with artificial flavors
3. Black Coffee (In Moderation)
Can you drink coffee during a spiritual fast? Yes—but only black coffee.
- No sugar
- No milk
- No creamers or flavors
It has about 1–2 calories per cup, which won’t break your fast. Coffee can also suppress appetite and give you a mental boost when your energy dips. But keep it minimal.
📖 “So whether you eat or drink… do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
If coffee starts to feel like a crutch instead of a helper, it may be time to lay it down.
4. Lemon Water (Small Amounts of Juice)
Adding a squeeze of lemon or lime to your water won’t break your fast.
- Contains vitamin C and antioxidants
- Less than 5 calories per serving
- Supports digestion and liver detox
But don’t overdo it—keep it to 1/4 lemon or lime per large glass. More than that and you may be triggering digestion, which can interrupt your fast.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar (Diluted)
A tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) in water can be a powerful fasting aid.
- Balances blood sugar
- Curbs appetite
- Helps reduce bloating
Just make sure it’s raw and unfiltered. Mix 1–2 teaspoons in a tall glass of water. It’s sharp, but it can keep you grounded in your fast physically.
6. Electrolyte Water (Without Sugar)
During longer fasts (2+ days), your body loses essential minerals.
A clean electrolyte drink helps prevent fatigue, dizziness, or muscle cramps.
Look for ones that have:
- Sodium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
✅ But no sugar, no carbs, no artificial sweeteners
Or make your own:
- 16 oz water
- Pinch of sea salt
- Squeeze of lemon
- Dash of magnesium powder (if needed)
7. Bone Broth (ONLY for Extended Fasts)
Bone broth is a gray area. Technically, it has calories (around 30–50 per cup). But on multi-day fasts (3+ days), it may help you stay the course physically without breaking the spiritual purpose.
✔️ It provides collagen, minerals, and supports gut health
❌ But if you’re doing a strict water-only or “no food” fast, skip it
👉 Use bone broth only if your fast is over 48–72 hours and your goal is spiritual endurance, not calorie restriction.
What Will Break a Spiritual Fast?
Let’s be direct. If your drink contains:
- Sugar
- Milk or cream
- Artificial sweeteners
- Calories above 10–15 per serving
…it likely breaks your fast. That includes:
- Juice (even fresh-pressed)
- Milk-based lattes
- Protein shakes
- Smoothies
- Energy drinks
Even if it’s “healthy,” it shifts your body from fasting mode into digestion mode. More importantly, it shifts your focus.
Fasting is about dying to self. That includes your taste buds.
But What About the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a partial fast based on Daniel 10:3:
“I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”
During this fast, people avoid meat, dairy, and processed foods. So drinks like:
- Water
- 100% vegetable juice (in moderation)
- Unsweetened almond or oat milk
…are allowed. But sugary drinks or anything with caffeine aren’t.
Helpful Tips to Stay Spiritually Focused While Fasting
Here’s how to make the most of your fast—drink-wise and heart-wise:
- Start your day with prayer and water.
Keep God first before anything touches your lips. - Use tea or lemon water during tough hunger windows.
They help, without breaking the fast. - Read Scripture often.
Try Psalm 42:1 — “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” - Don’t obsess over the rules.
Fasting is about your heart, not perfection. If you accidentally drink something you shouldn’t, don’t quit. Just reset and refocus. - Stay humble and hidden.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:18, “…your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Bottom Line: Stick to Simple, Spirit-Focused Drinks
Here’s your quick cheat sheet:
✅ Safe to drink (won’t break fast):
- Water
- Herbal tea
- Black coffee (sparingly)
- Lemon/lime water
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar-free electrolytes
- Bone broth (for long fasts only)
❌ Avoid:
- Sugar-laden drinks
- Anything with cream, milk, or sweetener
- Juices and smoothies
- Soda or flavored waters with calories
Fasting is never about how little you can eat or drink—it’s about how much more you can seek God. Choose drinks that support that goal, not distract from it.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” – Matthew 5:6
If you’re thirsting for God, you’re already on the right path. Keep going.
Ready to deepen your fast? Stay in the Word, keep it simple, and hydrate wisely. You’ve got this.
FAQs: Drinks That Support Your Spiritual Fast Without Breaking It
- What are the best drinks that support your spiritual fast without breaking it?
The best drinks that support your spiritual fast without breaking it include water, herbal tea (unsweetened), black coffee, lemon water, and diluted apple cider vinegar. These options are calorie-free or extremely low in calories and don’t trigger digestion, keeping your fast intact and spiritually focused. - Does drinking black coffee break a spiritual fast?
No, black coffee doesn’t break a spiritual fast—as long as it’s plain, with no sugar, cream, or additives. It contains only 1–2 calories and can even help suppress hunger and improve focus. However, use it in moderation and not as a crutch. - Can I drink herbal tea during a spiritual fast?
Yes, unsweetened herbal teas are excellent for spiritual fasting. They have no calories, help with hydration, and can soothe the body and mind. Stick to caffeine-free varieties like peppermint, chamomile, or hibiscus. - Is lemon water okay during a spiritual fast?
Yes, lemon water is fine in small amounts. A squeeze of lemon (about 1/4 lemon per large glass) adds flavor and vitamin C without enough calories to break your fast. - Does apple cider vinegar break a fast?
No, diluted apple cider vinegar doesn’t break a spiritual fast. Adding 1–2 teaspoons to a glass of water supports digestion and helps curb appetite without interfering with the purpose of the fast. - Can I drink bone broth during a spiritual fast?
Bone broth is only recommended for extended fasts (48+ hours). It contains calories and nutrients, so it’s not suitable for strict water-only fasts, but it can help sustain your body during longer fasts without breaking the spiritual focus. - What drinks will break a spiritual fast?
Any drink with sugar, dairy, sweeteners, juice, or calories above 10–15 per serving will break a spiritual fast. That includes smoothies, soda, milk-based drinks, protein shakes, and sweetened coffee or tea. - Is it okay to drink electrolytes during a fast?
Yes, but only if they’re free from sugar and artificial ingredients. Clean electrolyte drinks or DIY versions with sea salt, lemon, and water can help balance minerals during longer fasts. - What can I drink on the Daniel Fast?
On the Daniel Fast, you can drink water, herbal tea, 100% vegetable juice (in moderation), and unsweetened plant-based milks like almond or oat. Avoid caffeine, sugar, dairy, and anything processed. - Why is it important to choose the right drinks during a spiritual fast?
Choosing the right drinks supports your physical health without interrupting the spiritual goal of the fast. Staying hydrated and focused helps you press in closer to God without distractions from hunger, fatigue, or broken fasts.
