Question about Monk Fruit and Stevia leaf

[Quesara]

I just completed my Day 2 today. It was hard as I battled with fatigue, waves of hunger pain, headache and stress. On too of that, my husband ordered a pizza for dinner.

I persevered through with water and herbal tea. In one cup of my herbal tea (250ml), I decided to add in a few drops of 100% monk fruit concentrate and some Himalayan salt, not because I crave sugar, but just to reset myself from all the smell of pizza filling in the house.

However, after a few Google searches, I found that it is possible that monk fruit concentrate can lead to insulin secretion, thereby hindering the fat loss goal I am trying to achieve with fasting. Does anyone know how much damage I have done by having that few drops of monk fruit concentrate? Ah, I am so vexed with myself…

On another note, I also made herbal tea with a few Stevia leaves (not the powdered or liquid form of Stevia, but the Stevia leaf itself), mainly because it suppresses my appetite, based on my previous experience of fasting 44 hours continuously for a month. I wonder if a few Stevia leaves in my herbal tea would hinder/break my fast?

[Tenax]

Stevia is fine as long as its pure. The problem is if companies add dextrose or other things to it that can decrease insulin sensitivity, which is a concern I also share.

Re: monkfruit. Not sure but its a better option than aspertame, sucarose etc.

I wouldn’t panic. Up until 13 days into my fast I was using one packet of sucarose per day thinking it was ok. I was still losing weight and testing my ketone level that didn’t kick me out of ketosis so I bet you are fine.

[Quesara]

Thanks @Tenax, your comment makes me feel a lot better!

I used stevia leaf (so it’s actually herbs), not the crystallised powder form or liquid stevia. I reckon since it’s herb in its natural form (leaf), it should be fine?

I think from this point on I will refrain from using monk fruit concentrate, unless absolutely necessary.

What do you use to track your ketosis?

[Tenax]

Yes natural stevia is good! For keto, I use keto sticks once per day for the first week then every 2nd day. Then for a very accurate check I bought an abbot neo precision meter. The test sticks aren’t cheap. 26 canadian for 10 so I only use once per week. But its the best way because for example, last week I was a 3.2 reading, just within the fat burn and therapeutic values. But this week, I was at 4.8. Exactly where I want to be. If you go that route make sure you get the keto sticks not glucose sticks.

[Quesara]

Thanks so much @Tenax!

[Compdude]

Agree, I use stevia in my black coffee and have herbal tea during my last 2 21-day fasts and it was fine.

[Quesara]

Thank you @Compdude, that was really helpful.

Day 3 for me today…it was tough, I wanted to give up so many times today as I just felt that I wanted to eat something whilst working on my dissertation. I think brain function take a lot of energy. Would it ever become easier?

[Compdude]

Yes, you are still transitioning into full ketosis. It should get easier by tomorrow and then much better by Day 5.

[Quesara]

Thank you @Compdude! I wonder if you have any tips for staying motivated?

[Compdude]

Check out my DJ: S2E6 21-Day No Surrender Fast Journal

S2E6 21-Day No Surrender Fast Journal

Day 0/21 No Surrender Fast While searching through YouTube to compile a list of motivational/inspirational/educational videos to post at least one video in each of my journal entries, I came across this joyful one from a No Surrender Festival. It inspired me to create the No Surrender Fast. Fasting for 21 days is a challenge for both body, mind and spirit. As many of my past readers know, I usually take a “nose to the grindstone” approach which works for me but may not work for others. So I…

[Quesara]

Thank you @Compdude! I guess I am just stressed out by the law exams and dissertation, and doing an extended fast on top of these just made it extra hard for me. I hope I will have the strength in body and mind like you to persevere, for the spirit to triumph over the body.

[Compdude]

Kudos to you.

I don’t think I would have taken up the challenge of prolonged fasting with the stress you are dealing with right now!

[Quesara]

I have heard that some people (and clinic) do fasting to tackle with stress and other mental health issues. I am hoping I will get to the stage of mental clarity and euphoria where I will be able to work efficiently and effectively.

[Tenax]

I have the mental clarity, but I wouldn’t say euphoria. More a feeling of at peace I think.

[Compdude]

I recommend my friend @Anna 30-day fast and refeed daily journal. She’s a graduate student in Sweden working to complete her Masters n Public Health. Her case closely aligns to yours.

[Quesara]

I think Yasmine talked about euphoria around day 7, but I suppose everyone is different. Will let you know how I feel on day 7. Feeling at peace would be great! I can’t remember the last time I actually felt at peace.

[Quesara]

Thanks @Compdude! I did check out her journal, haven’t got time to go through a lot of it yet, but it was inspiring.

[Yasemin]

I would stay away from any natural or artificial sweeteners during the fast because not proven 100% whether it spikes insulin or not! We had a few members experiment by doing a 14 day fast with and one without and significantly better results occurred during the 0 sweetener fast!!