There are 2 ways to look at this.
if you want to fast for the hormonal benefits during a 23:1, then drinking this will break a fast and not put you in a fasted state/will break a fast.
if you are fasting as a way to reduce caloric intake and lose weight and you’re ok with not getting the fasting benefits, then I think this is fine. If it helps you to not eat for 23 hours, then 155 calories over 23 hours isn’t going to stop you from losing weight as long as you eat in an overall deficit.
So sugar is the enemy of true fasting. It spikes your insulin and “technically” breaks you out of fast. Honey is pure sugar and I’m pretty sure kombucha has added sugar to help with the fermentation process. Lemonade would have sugar too, unless you’re just talking about literal lemons in water.
However, I put technically in quotations because IF really depends on you and your own personal goals. If you’re looking to lose weight, the most important part is maintaining a caloric deficit. By fasting and doing OMAD (basically), you’re naturally going to eat less and be in a deficit and you will lose weight.
Are you technically not doing a “true fast” with tea and kombucha? Sure. But at the end of the day, if you’re doing what works best for you, your body, and your health, it doesn’t matter. Make your own personal goals and damn what everyone else says about it. That shouldn’t stop you from trying IF.
I had a similar question regarding when to take vitamins/supplements or other non-food items that have calories. I only take them during my eating window but it kind of sucks because I forget to take them because it’s in the afternoon or evening.
Is IF only effective when you don’t add any calories outside of your eating window? Like if I consume 15 calories outside of my eating windows does that totally negate the effects of IF?
Kinda like so many things, it’s a personal choice. FOR ME - it’s not a fast unless it’s at least 24 hours calorie free. Anything else is either “time restricted eating”, OMAD, or just calorie restriction.