When you fast, it is obvious that you avoid various food items to help your body burn fat. And if you are new to this method, you would wonder whether bone broth breaks fast or not. Full of nutrients that are good for your gut, but does it interfere with your intermittent fasting? Keep reading till the end and find out if bone broth breaks your fast and how it helps with weight loss.
Does Bone Broth Break a Fast?
Anything that has a high calorie content would break your fast and one cup of beef bone broth contains 39 calories, 9 gms protein, and 1gm fat. If you aim to lose weight and burn fat, you should avoid taking bone broth during your fasting time. When fasting, you should stick to things that have zero calories, like black coffee, plain tea, fasting supplement, and water. When we fast, our body goes into starvation mode, which makes it use the stored fat for energy.Â
Consuming calories would disrupt your fasting state as the body starts burning those calories instead of the stubborn fat. Since the bone broth is high in calories, it may hinder your efforts. Some people still have bone broth while fasting keeping the calorie check under 50. It depends on your individual goals and how determined you are for it to be achieved.
Also Read: What Breaks a Fast?
What Is Bone Broth?
Bone broth is a liquid that’s like a soup, and it’s made by simmering the bones and connective tissue from animals. This broth is loaded with valuable nutrients for your health, such as collagen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.
Making bone broth is simple – just simmer your choice of animal bones for at least 8 hours. You can use bones from beef, pork, lamb, chicken, fish, or even deer, depending on what you like.
Many people drink bone broth by itself, but you can also use it in sauces or gravies to make nutritious meals. This tasty dish is particularly good for people on a diet because it has very few calories and no added sugars or unhealthy fats.
Breaking a Fast With Bone Broth: Is It a Good Idea?
Bone broth can be a helpful choice when ending your fast. Its nutrients can ease your stomach as it transitions from fasting to regular digestion. You should sip it slowly, to avoid digestive problems like constipation, bloating, or excessive gas.
Always be careful with the foods that you take when ending your intermittent fasting period, as heavy food consumption could be a shock on your system and lead to constipation or diarrhea. Research has shown that the consumption of bone broth and other nutrient-rich smoothies before solid food can reduce the side effects and even keep you full for a longer time.
Since drinking it in your fasting window will interrupt your fast, and slow down the fat-burning process, and utilize the calories instead of the stored fats.
How much bone broth should you drink to break a fast?
One cup of bone broth seems to be a good option as this caters enough to your body without causing any problems. Too much of anything is harmful, so it’s best to stick to one cup for starters. Also keep in mind that it should be consumed alone, as mixing it with other food items would give you stomach issues.
Why Is It Good to Break a Fast With Bone Broth?
Low in calories, it is ideal for weight management and the one of the best and nutritious ways to replenish your body’s energy after fasting. The essential nutrients like amino acids, calcium, and vitamin A, support your immune system and metabolism. The high protein and amino acid content in chicken bone broth helps with muscle mass during weight loss.
Bone broth contains collagen, which promotes bone and joint health by reducing inflammation and slowing cartilage degeneration. It also goes gentle on your digestive system as it is low in carbs and fats, which makes it easier for your gut to transition after fasting. Thus, adding bone broth to your intermittent fasting routine can provide various benefits and be a wise choice for your post-fasting meal.
When Should You Drink Bone Broth When Fasting?
If at all you wish to have bone broth during your fasting period, you should start with a cup in the morning. It can serve as a good replacement for coffee, and may also help you feel less hungry during the day.
Some people prefer going on what is called a bone broth fast, wherein they only drink bone broth multiple times a day. They avoid eating solid food or having other calorie-containing drinks. If you want to try this, be sure to eat meals packed with nutrients when you’re not fasting intermittently.
Conclusion
Bone broth will interfere with your fasting, if you aim to extend your fasting period and get the most out of it, it is best and vise to skip it. For weight loss, stick to water, black coffee, plain tea (without milk and sugar), or green tea to keep your stomach content during your fasting.
