Does Drinking Bone Broth Count as Breaking Fast?

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

While fasting for spiritual or health reasons is a practice observed for centuries across many cultures, the modern landscape introduces a key question: Does drinking bone broth count as breaking fast?. The answer, it turns out, depends entirely on your specific fasting goals and the type of fast you are observing. For some, its minimal calories are acceptable, while for others, its presence is a definite fast-breaker.

Quick Summary

The impact of consuming bone broth during a fast is not universal; it hinges on the specific fasting protocol. While it contains calories and protein that end a strict, zero-calorie fast, it can be a useful tool for those pursuing less restrictive methods like time-restricted feeding for weight loss by helping manage hunger and providing nutrients.

Key Points

Depends on your goal: A strict water-only fast is broken by bone broth, but it is acceptable for less restrictive intermittent fasting or ketogenic diets.
Calories are the key: Bone broth contains 30-50 calories per cup, primarily from protein, which is what technically ends a zero-calorie fast.
Enhances intermittent fasting: For those focused on weight loss via intermittent fasting, a cup of bone broth can curb hunger and provide nutrients to help maintain adherence.
Keto-friendly ally: High-quality, low-carb bone broth can provide electrolytes and nutrients on a keto diet without causing an insulin spike or kicking you out of ketosis.
Aids in re-feeding: Using bone broth to gently break a fast is an excellent strategy, as it provides easily digestible nutrients and supports gut health.
Choose quality: For fasting purposes, select a bone broth made from grass-fed bones with minimal ingredients, and avoid those with added sugars or fillers.
Replenishes electrolytes: During extended fasts, the electrolytes in bone broth can prevent common side effects like headaches and fatigue.

Understanding the Core Principle of Fasting

At its most fundamental level, a fast involves abstaining from caloric intake for a set period. However, modern fasting practices vary widely in their strictness and purpose. For a 'clean' or strict fast, the rule is simple: any calories ingested break the fast. For those following more flexible protocols, the rules can be different. The key metabolic process many fasters aim for is autophagy, a state where the body recycles and cleans out old cells. The presence of calories, particularly protein and carbohydrates, can halt this process.

The Nutritional Profile of Bone Broth

Bone broth is a liquid derived from simmering animal bones and connective tissues for an extended period, which extracts nutrients like collagen, amino acids, and minerals. While nutrient-dense, it is not calorie-free. A typical cup of bone broth contains anywhere from 30 to 50 calories, primarily from protein and sometimes trace amounts of fat, depending on the preparation. It’s these calories that are at the center of the debate.

The Verdict: How Bone Broth Affects Different Fasting Goals

To understand whether bone broth is right for your fast, you must first clarify your objective. The answer is not a simple yes or no.

For a Strict, Water-Only Fast

If your goal is a complete, strict fast for purposes like maximizing autophagy or preparing for a medical procedure, bone broth is not allowed. In this scenario, even a single calorie breaks the fast and stops the key cellular cleansing processes you are trying to induce. Adherence here means consuming only water, and perhaps black coffee or plain tea, with no added sugar or cream.

For Intermittent Fasting (IF) and Weight Loss

For the majority of people who practice intermittent fasting (IF) for weight loss, the guidelines are more flexible. The primary mechanism for weight loss in IF is a reduction in overall caloric intake by restricting the 'eating window'. A small amount of bone broth, which is low in calories and can be very satiating, can help manage hunger pangs and make the fasting period easier to endure. A cup of bone broth can feel like a mini-meal, providing electrolytes and nutrients without derailing your fat-loss progress significantly. Many people on IF plans find it helpful to have a cup in the evening to curb cravings for higher-calorie snacks.

For a Ketogenic Diet

Bone broth is highly compatible with the ketogenic diet, which focuses on very low carbohydrate and high fat intake to get the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel. Since quality bone broth is essentially sugar-free and very low in carbohydrates, it will not kick you out of ketosis. It provides essential electrolytes, which can prevent the symptoms of the 'keto flu' often experienced during the initial adaptation period.

For a 'Mimicked' Fast or Cleanse

Some practitioners follow a 'bone broth fast' or 'cleanse,' where they only consume bone broth for a period of 1 to 3 days. This provides a steady supply of nutrients, hydration, and electrolytes while still allowing the body to reduce caloric intake and focus on gut healing and repair. This approach is often easier to follow than a pure water fast and can offer many similar benefits, though it is technically not a true fast.

How to Use Bone Broth Strategically During a Fast

If your goal is compatible with consuming bone broth, timing can be important.

Mid-Fast Hydration: During a prolonged fast, sipping on bone broth can replenish essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium, warding off headaches and fatigue.
Breaking a Fast Gently: When ending a fast, particularly a longer one, bone broth is an excellent choice. It’s gentle on the digestive system and provides an easily digestible source of nutrients and protein to ease your body back into eating.
Curbing Hunger: A warm cup can be consumed when hunger is at its peak to provide a sense of satiety and prevent a lapse in your fasting plan.
Post-Workout Support: For those exercising during a fast, bone broth can help replenish electrolytes and amino acids needed for muscle recovery.

Choosing a Quality Bone Broth for Your Fast

Quality is paramount, especially when fasting. Store-bought options vary greatly. Look for products made from grass-fed or pasture-raised bones, with a short ingredient list that includes only bones, water, vegetables, and herbs. Avoid products with added sugars, flavor enhancers like yeast extract, or excessive sodium. A good quality bone broth will often gel when refrigerated due to its high collagen content.

Comparison: Fasting Protocols and Bone Broth


Feature	Strict Water-Only Fast	Intermittent Fasting (Weight Loss)	Ketogenic Fasting	Bone Broth Cleanse
Bone Broth Permitted?	No. Any calories break the fast.	Yes, in moderation to manage hunger.	Yes, if low-carb/zero-sugar.	Yes, it is the basis of the diet.
Primary Goal	Maximize autophagy, gut rest.	Calorie restriction, fat loss.	Enter/maintain ketosis.	Hydration, nutrients, gut healing.
Caloric Intake	Zero during fasting window.	Minimal during fasting window (often <50).	Minimal during fasting window.	Moderate, from bone broth only.
Key Consideration	Complete avoidance of calories.	Satiety to maintain adherence.	Low-carb, no insulin spike.	Electrolytes and hydration.

Conclusion: The Nuance Behind the Fasting Rule

The question of "does drinking bone broth count as breaking fast?" has no single answer because fasting itself is not a monolithic concept. For a strict, zero-calorie fast focused on deep cellular repair, the verdict is clear: yes, bone broth breaks the fast. However, for those using intermittent fasting for weight management or following a ketogenic diet, a cup of quality bone broth can be a valuable tool. It can curb hunger, replenish electrolytes, and support overall wellness without significantly disrupting your progress towards a fat-burning state. Ultimately, the decision rests on your specific health goals. By understanding your objective and the nutritional impact of bone broth, you can make an informed choice that best supports your wellness journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, because autophagy (cellular cleansing) is triggered by the absence of calories, consuming bone broth with its caloric content will stop the process. If maximizing autophagy is your goal, avoid bone broth during your fasting window.

For a strict fast, any caloric intake breaks the fast. While some people reference a '50-calorie rule,' this is not based on scientific fact, and the safest bet for a clean fast is zero calories.

Yes, bone broth is highly compatible with a ketogenic diet. High-quality bone broth is very low in carbs and sugar, so it won't kick you out of ketosis and can provide electrolytes to prevent 'keto flu'.

A bone broth fast, or mimicked fasting with bone broth, can be effective for weight loss by helping manage hunger during calorie restriction. It provides satisfying nutrients and hydration, making adherence easier compared to a water-only fast.

A 'dirty fast' is a less restrictive approach to fasting where you consume a small number of calories, such as those from bone broth. While it breaks a strict fast, some use it to manage hunger and sustain their fasting period, especially for weight loss goals.

You can drink bone broth when hunger is at its peak to help you push through the fasting window. It is also an excellent choice for gently breaking a longer fast, as it is easy on the digestive system.

Yes, bone broth can help prevent fasting-induced headaches by providing essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium. These minerals help maintain proper fluid balance, a common issue during fasting.