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Unlock True Wellness with the FASTer Way + Functional Medicine

If you’re frustrated with your health or fitness—or you’ve been told you just have to live with your symptoms—there is hope! When you combine functional medicine with the FASTer Way to Fat Loss, you’ll get to the root of the issue and solve it in a way that heals your body and eases your mind.

Better Health With Functional Medicine and the FASTer Way

Amanda Tress, founder and CEO of the FASTer Way, and Alex De Oliveira A.R.N.P. were invited to chat with Carmen Brown of OFF-AIR with Carmen about finding better health with functional medicine and the FASTer Way.

Listen to the full episode here:

What is the FASTer Way to Fat Loss?

The FASTer Way to Fat Loss is a holistic approach to healthy living. It focuses on science-backed strategies including:

  • Intermittent fasting

  • Carb cycling

  • Macronutrient tracking

  • Whole food nutrition

  • Quick & effective workouts that pair with the food log

While it may sound like a lot of strategies, it’s actually a very simple lifestyle—and all clients learn under the guidance of a certified coach. Someone who is on your side, available to answer your questions, and supports you daily!

The REAL Problem

Many people, women especially, will visit a conventional doctor because they can’t lose weight even though they exercise regularly and eat well. Rather than getting the answers they need, they hear comments like:

“This is normal during/after menopause.”

“It’s normal to gain weight at your age.”

“You’re not exercising enough.”

“You need to change your habits.”

“You need to eat healthier.”

Friend, we are here to say it’s NOT your fault.

We know these doctors mean well, but countless people leave these appointments discouraged and defeated, thinking there’s nothing they can do or they just aren’t trying hard enough.


There’s a Better Way

Carmen Brown of “OFF-AIR with Carmen” was one of these women, discouraged with her health. She couldn’t lose weight and she was always tired. After meeting with Amanda Tress and making significant positive changes through the FASTer Way program, she knew something was still off. At Amanda’s urging, she scheduled an appointment with functional medicine hormone specialist Alex De Oliveira at Young Foundational Health. 

After working with Alex, while maintaining the FASTer Way lifestyle, Carmen couldn’t believe the difference in her energy levels nor her weight loss. In fact, Carmen was so blown away by her test results that she asked Alex to share them on the podcast! Listen to the full episode to hear the incredible changes she saw in less than a year.

The Problem with Standard Medicine

Standard medicine doesn’t offer prevention outside a few basic tests. This is a lost opportunity to detect imbalances, precursors to disease (such as type 2 diabetes), and inflammation in the body. Issues that are preventable but have a significant impact on health (and weight) when undetected and untreated.

We can change the current narrative, and through the FASTer Way to Fat Loss and functional medicine. We are doing that one client at a time!


Listen to the full interview above to hear more about these golden nuggets of wisdom:

  • It’s not so much what you should take, it’s how you should live your life.

  • It’s never too late to start. What matters is that you start now.

  • Type 2 Diabetes is 100% reversible.

  • Elevated insulin could be due to low thyroid, menopause, or even prescription medication (seizure, depression, anxiety, etc.) 

  • You can fix insulin resistance through exercise, whole-food nutrition, and intermittent fasting.

  • The gut needs to rest.

  • Excess weight is a symptom of what’s happening in your body.

  • Your bloodwork will tell you everything you need to know.

Thanks to Carmen for hosting Amanda and Alex to spread the word about the path to wellness!


Unlock True Wellness with the FASTer Way + Functional Medicine

Will Coffee Break Your Fast?

It’s a hot topic in the world of Intermittent Fasting: will coffee break your fast? We invited Dr. Stephen Cabral to share his insights with us on our FIRST EPISODE of the brand-new FASTer Way Podcast! We are beyond excited to bring you this incredible resource for upper-level information about all things health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, and so much more! 

Dr. Cabral is a naturopathic doctor, Ayurvedic doctor, functional medicine and integrative health practitioner, and Intermittent Fasting expert; naturally, we wanted to gain his insights about coffee and fasting!

It’s one of the most frequently asked questions we get from our FASTer Way clients, Will Coffee Break My Fast?

And the answer to that is, it depends

We get it, this isn’t a very helpful answer for understanding right now if you can drink coffee without breaking your fast, but luckily there IS a way to find out without going to a doctor for testing.


But first, let’s find out why coffee may or may not break your fast.


It all starts with hormones. When the body is stressed, it releases cortisol (also known as the “stress hormone”), and the only way to cut cortisol is with carbohydrates, so the body will release glucose (sugar!) into the bloodstream. If there’s glucose available, the body will use it for energy rather than tapping into fat stores—even if you are still fasting.


So, what does that have to do with coffee? 

Well, a lot, actually. When you drink a cup of coffee, even if it’s black and has zero calories, it can spike your cortisol and adrenaline, which we now know will prompt the body to release glucose, the body’s go-to fuel source (if it’s available, it will get used first!).

How do you know if coffee is breaking your fast? 

Luckily, it's super simple. With an inexpensive glucometer (which you can find for about $20 on Amazon or at your local drug store), test your blood about 30 minutes after drinking your coffee. If your number is above one hundred, you’ve spiked your blood sugar from the coffee. This may only last for an hour or so, maybe less, but it’s important to know that you’ll be pulled out of your fat-burning state.

Another (less scientific) sign that coffee may be breaking your fast if you need coffee to start your day. This is a sign of adrenal fatigue, a condition in which the adrenals can’t produce enough of the hormones you need, especially norepinephrine and cortisol. The adrenals need a boost, and caffeine is the kick that makes them produce more of those hormones you need. 

What can I do if coffee spikes my blood sugar?

If black coffee spikes your blood sugar and you suspect you’re dealing with adrenal fatigue, then please get tested by your naturopath or functional medicine doctor and pursue treatment under their guidance. 

Connect with Dr. Cabral by visitng stephencabral.com or equilibriumnutrition.com, listen to his podcast here, or follow him on Instagram.

To learn more about

  • Micronutrients (can we actually get them all from our diet?)

  • Carbs (are they really that important?)

  • Intermittent Fasting (is the 16/8 protocol best for everyone?)

  • The law of diminishing returns (when it comes to IF and HIIT)

Then be sure to listen to the full episode it is packed FULL of helpful information that will give you clarity and direction for living your healthiest life!


Does coffee break YOUR fast? Tell us in the comments below!


Show Notes

Will coffee break your fast? If this question is holding you back from trying Intermittent Fasting, then don’t miss today’s episode so you can feel confident that you’re getting the most out of your fasting window!

Dr. Stephen Cabral is a naturopathic doctor and an expert in Intermittent Fasting. In this episode, he and Amanda discuss IF, micronutrients, the importance of carbohydrates, and modifications to the Intermittent Fasting protocol.  

  • [06:49] intro to Dr. Cabral

  • [12:08] Intermittent Fasting

  • [20:21] why carbs are important for hormone health

  • [30:27] will coffee break your fast?

  • [35:15] all about micronutrients 

  • [41:49] Dr. Cabral’s best advice

  • [44:05] where to find Dr. Cabral

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