Will Chicken Broth Break a Fast?

Chicken broth has been present in every kitchen for centuries. When we think about a stomach ache, a broken heart, or a warm winter dish, our brain thinks about chicken broth. While broth is known for making any situation better, a critical question surges: Can you still drink chicken broth during fasting? Will bone broth interrupt a fast?

Keep reading to learn what benefits (besides comfort) both chicken and bone broth can potentially offer you during your fast.

What Is Chicken Broth?

Chicken broth is made by simmering chicken bones, meat, and vegetables in water. You can also add herbs and other spices. It’s cooked for a short time, has a clear appearance, and usually has a lighter taste compared to bone broth. Chicken broth is usually a base for soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes to add a soothing flavor. 

Chicken broth has served as a healing remedy due to its nourishing and healing properties. It is currently known as a comfort food in many cuisines, symbolizing care, warmth, and tradition. 

Nutritional Value of Chicken Broth

Chicken broth is low in calories and rich in essential nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These minerals are necessary for correct physiological functioning. Maintain optimal nutrient levels and a nutrient-rich diet using Fastic’s fasting-friendly recipes.

What Is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones, such as beef, chicken, or fish, along with vegetables, spices, and herbs in water. It’s a nutrient-rich liquid usually cooked for 12 to 24 hours. The Chinese and Egyptians valued bone broth for its belief in supporting digestion, joint health, and other nourishing properties. 

Nutritional Value of Bone Broth

Bone broth is also low in calories, it offers an ample array of essential nutrients and contains collagen, gelatin, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients directly from the bones. Moreover, it also provides multiple vitamins, such as B vitamins.

Does Drinking Chicken or Bone Broth Break a Fast?

Chicken Broth

Even though chicken broth is low in calories, it may stimulate digestion and insulin release, interrupting fasting effects like autophagy and ketosis. So, in reality, ingesting chicken broth during fasting hours is not recommended. On the other hand, it is also suggested that drinking small amounts of chicken broth may not trigger digestion. Overall, whether or not chicken broth breaks a fast will depend on the type of fast followed and the individual’s established caloric intake limit. 

Bone Broth

Bone broth contains minimal calories, however, it may stimulate digestion and insulin release, just like chicken broth. Small amounts of bone broth during fasting hours can be ingested, nonetheless, there is no certainty it won’t break a body’s fasting state.

Ultimately, deciding if you take chicken or bone broth during fasting or eating hours is up to you and how your body reacts to it.

How Can You Implement Broth in Your Fasting Plan?

When incorporating either chicken or bone broth, it is crucial to consider quantity and nutritional content. Due to the uncertainty of whether or not broth will interrupt the fast, it is recommended you take it during eating windows, although this is optional. 

Chicken broth is an excellent source of electrolytes, therefore drinking it after exercise during your eating window is ideal for replenishing lost electrolytes. Opt for homemade options and if cooking is not your forte, prioritize low-sodium options. 

Bone broth is an abundant source of collagen during fasting, which can support joint health and skin elasticity. Limit your bone broth intake to eating hours, to guarantee your fast is not interrupted. Ensure the bone broth is low in sodium and free from additives. 

Experiment with timing and quantity, and observe how your body responds to determine when you should take it during your fasting routine. 

Recap: We recommend you take broth during eating windows, this will lower the chances of stimulating your digestive system and insulin levels. Doing so will ensure you don’t interrupt your fasting state. Additionally, it will also provide essential nutrients when you most need them, before or after working out during fasting. 

Which One Is Better During Fasting: Chicken or Bone Broth?

In the end, choosing between chicken and bone broth depends on individual preferences and fasting goals. Bone broth is richer in nutrients, such as collagen and gelatin, conversely, chicken broth is lighter, lower in calories, and has a milder flavor. Consider what you prioritize more. Remember that you can always drink both, but if you prefer the taste or benefits of one more than the other, then take sugar-free electrolyte drinks or collagen powder to substitute what the other lacks.

Crafting Your Own Fasting-friendly Homemade Broth

Simmer chicken bones in water and add fasting-appropriate vegetables like celery and onions. Add more flavor with herbs such as parsley. 

If you are more of a bone broth person, simmer animal bones (beef, chicken, or fish) in water. Fasting-friendly vegetables like onion and garlic, and herbs like bay leaves. 

Stay away from salt or high-carb vegetables. Strain and refrigerate once cold.

Exploring Alternatives to Chicken and Bone Broth

Although you might not get the same quantity of nutrients, some alternative beverages can offer other perks. Herbal teas, lemon water, and black coffee won’t break a fast. These zero-calorie drinks can aid during hunger cues and even function as appetite suppression options when you most need them. Analyzing the taste, caloric content, nutrient value, and how it affects your fasting state can assist in selecting the optimal nutrient source to incorporate into your fast.

Now that you know whether or not drinking broth breaks a fast, its characteristics, and the impact it may have on your body’s fasting state, if and when you take broth depends entirely on you. We recommend incorporating broth into your diet to have healthy electrolyte and collagen levels during your fast. 

Since now you are an expert in chicken and bone broth and its relation to fasting, take the Fastic quiz to learn which fasting protocol simmers best with your goals.

Disclaimer: It is advised to speak with a health professional before beginning intermittent fasting or a diet program. There may be side effects for people with certain medical conditions.