Does Bone Broth Break Intermittent Fasting?
Written by Andrew Brewer. ⚕️Reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Kinjal Kanani Shah.
When you’re fasting, it can be difficult to differentiate between what breaks your fast and what helps the process along. Water is always a safe bet, but it doesn’t offer much help when the hunger and the cravings set in.
Some intermittent fasters have turned to bone broth as a way to make it through the fasting period. But, bone broth contains calories. Picking and choosing what is okay to have while intermittent fasting can be difficult. Let’s take a closer look at bone broth to determine whether it will break your intermittent fasting.
Key Takeaways
- Whether bone broth breaks intermittent fasting depends on an individual’s definition of fasting. Some individuals believe that consuming any calories will break a fast, while others allow for a small number of calories, such as 50, to be consumed without breaking the fast.
- Bone broth can be a useful transitional drink during the fasting period or after a fast end. It provides nutrients that are gentle on the stomach and can help ease the body back into eating.
- Bone broth is a nutrient-dense drink that can provide several health benefits, including supporting the immune system and providing essential nutrients like iron, protein, and sodium.
- Some intermittent fasting methods allow for bone broth as the primary nutrient source during the fasting period.
- It’s essential to consider your definition of fasting and consult with a healthcare professional before consuming bone broth during a fast.
Drinking Bone Broth in Excess
Some intermittent fasters believe that drinking bone broth in small amounts won’t be enough to break your fast. That all depends on who you ask, as some intermittent fasters believe that one calorie is enough to break the fast – others have more wiggle room with 50 calories. So, if you ask the first school of thought whether or not you can drink bone broth while fasting, the answer is probably no.
However, if you believe that it takes up to 50 calories to break a fast, then bone broth – in small amounts – should still be okay to drink. In fact, it could help you survive the rest of your fast if you’re struggling with hunger and cravings. The small amounts of fat and calories in a short glass of bone broth could help your system power through the rest of the fasting period. This trick is used with coffee and tea by adding a minimal amount of milk to settle the struggling system.
Health Benefits of Bone Broth
First, let’s take a look at what bone broth is before we dive into the effects it can have on our bodies. Bone broth is made by simmering chicken bones and tissues (the meat of the leg or thigh) with vegetables and herbs. The water will collect the nutrients of the chicken and vegetables and eventually turn a deep brown color commonly associated with chicken broth.
This liquid is packed with nutrients and can be quite helpful for the immune system. There are some correlations between drinking bone broth and having a healthier immune system. There is still some debate on whether or not drinking bone broth is enough to protect you from diseases. Bone broth contains iron, protein, fats, sodium, carbohydrates, and calories. It’s a fantastic drink to ease your system back into eating.
A Useful Transitional Drink
If you’re looking for a way to break your fast without shocking your system and overloading your stomach, then bone broth is the way to go. It offers you all of the nutrients your body needs to function without jolting your system awake from the fasting period. Once your fast ends, many experts recommend this as the first thing you drink.
The transitional periods between fasting and eating might be some of the most important times in your intermittent fasting schedule. Having a nutrient-filled drink that is gentle on the stomach and doesn’t overload the system will be beneficial.
Bone Broth Intermittent Fasting Methods
Some methods of intermittent fasting even call for bone broth as the primary nutrient provider. There are intermittent fasting methods that, while fasting, water and bone broth are the only things you can have.
So, whether or not bone broth breaks you fast comes down to the threshold for breaking a fast. However, it is a controversial topic and it’s best to stick to drinking water during intermittent fasting.
Don’t forget to check our best intermittent fasting apps list to make your intermittent fasting journey easier.
FAQ
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Does bone broth break intermittent fasting?
It depends on the type of fast you are following. For example, consuming bone broth will break the fast if you are doing a water-only fast. However, if you are doing a modified fast, such as a bone broth fast or a fat fast, bone broth can be consumed during the fasting period.
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How many calories are in bone broth?
The calorie content of bone broth varies depending on the type of bones used and the length of time it is simmered. On average, one cup of bone broth contains 30-40 calories.
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Can I add anything to the bone broth while fasting?
It depends on the type of fast you are doing. For example, if you are doing a water-only fast, then no, you cannot add anything to your bone broth. However, if you are doing a modified fast, such as a bone broth fast, you can add non-caloric flavorings such as herbs and spices.
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When is the best time to consume bone broth during intermittent fasting?
It is best to consume bone broth during fasting to help control hunger and promote satiety. Therefore, many people drink bone broth in the morning or the evening before breaking their fast.
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Can bone broth be consumed during a fast for religious purposes?
It depends on the specific religious fast and the rules associated with it. For example, some religious fasts allow certain types of liquids, while others require a complete fast with no consumption of any food or liquids. It is best to consult with a religious leader or advisor for guidance.