Does ginger tea break a fast?

No. Plain ginger tea made with water has about 2 calories.

Do ginger shots break a fast?

Most do, because they contain fruit juice or honey. Check the label for sugar.

Does diet ginger ale break a fast?

No for most goals. It has no sugar and almost no calories.

Can ginger help with hunger while fasting?

A warm cup can take the edge off hunger for some people, though the effect is modest.

Does Ginger Break a Fast? No

Reviewed by the FastTrack team · Updated June 2026

Short answer: No

Ginger does not break a fast. A few slices of fresh ginger steeped in hot water add only a couple of calories, and a teaspoon of ground ginger about 6. Ginger shots and ginger ale are different, since most contain juice or sugar.

Calories	~2 kcal (tea), ~6 kcal per tsp ground
Breaks a weight-loss fast?	No
Breaks ketosis?	No
Breaks autophagy?	Unlikely
Insulin impact	Negligible

Why ginger tea keeps you fasted

Steeped ginger releases flavor and aromatic compounds into the water while most of the root stays behind. The result has almost no energy, so it cannot raise insulin or end a fast.

Shots, ale and nausea

Bottled ginger shots usually blend ginger with apple, orange or lemon juice and sometimes honey, adding 20 to 50 calories. Regular ginger ale is a sugary soda. Ginger is often used against nausea, which some people feel in the first days of fasting.

How much is safe

As much ginger tea as you like during your fast. Keep juices, shots with fruit and ginger ale for your eating window.

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Frequently asked questions

Does ginger tea break a fast?: No. Plain ginger tea made with water has about 2 calories.
Do ginger shots break a fast?: Most do, because they contain fruit juice or honey. Check the label for sugar.
Does diet ginger ale break a fast?: No for most goals. It has no sugar and almost no calories.
Can ginger help with hunger while fasting?: A warm cup can take the edge off hunger for some people, though the effect is modest.