What Happens if I Only Drink Chicken Broth for a Week?

October 29, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition experts, a mono diet like a chicken-broth-only plan is unsustainable and carries significant health risks. While you might experience short-term weight loss, it's critical to understand what happens if I only drink chicken broth for a week, and the dangers involved.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the physiological effects of a week-long chicken broth diet, including potential weight loss, severe nutritional deficiencies, dehydration risks, and muscle mass loss. It outlines the health consequences and temporary results of this restrictive eating plan.

Key Points

Unsafe and Unhealthy: A week-long chicken broth diet is nutritionally incomplete and poses significant health risks like severe deficiencies and muscle loss.
Temporary Weight Loss: Initial weight reduction is primarily from water and muscle, not fat, and is quickly regained upon resuming normal eating.
Severe Deficiencies: A lack of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins will cause extreme fatigue, constipation, and overall weakness.
Risk of 'Keto Flu': Without adequate carbohydrates, you may experience headaches, brain fog, and irritability, similar to symptoms of the keto flu.
Electrolyte Imbalances: High sodium in commercial broths and other dietary restrictions can lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances and affect blood pressure.
Mental and Physical Toll: The diet can lead to fatigue, irritability, disordered eating, and social isolation, making it mentally and emotionally taxing.
Not a Long-Term Solution: Sustainable weight management requires a balanced diet and regular exercise, not extreme and restrictive fasts.

The Lure and the Reality of the Chicken Broth Fast

The idea of a simple, quick-fix diet is tempting, and a week-long chicken broth fast has been promoted by some as a way to detox, reset, or lose weight rapidly. Chicken broth is known for being hydrating and soothing, rich in some electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. However, extending this liquid-only regimen for seven consecutive days is extremely restrictive and lacks essential macronutrients and calories. While short-term, medically supervised liquid diets exist for specific medical procedures, an unsupervised, prolonged broth fast is not advised.

Short-Term Weight Loss: Mostly Water and Muscle

During the first few days of drinking only chicken broth, a calorie deficit is immediately created. Since chicken broth is very low in calories, your body will shed weight quickly. However, the initial weight loss is primarily attributed to a reduction in water weight and glycogen stores, not fat. Without sufficient calories and protein, the body may begin to break down muscle tissue for energy, leading to a loss of muscle mass. This temporary weight loss is not sustainable, and most people regain the weight as soon as they resume normal eating patterns.

The Dangers of Severe Nutritional Deficiencies

A week is more than enough time for serious nutritional problems to emerge. While chicken broth contains some nutrients, it is far from complete.

Lack of Protein: Chicken broth provides some protein, but not nearly enough to meet daily requirements. A lack of adequate protein leads to muscle wasting and a weakened immune system.
Fiber Deficiency: The complete absence of fiber will wreak havoc on your digestive system, leading to constipation and other gastrointestinal issues.
Carbohydrate Depletion: Carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source. Without them, you will experience severe fatigue, brain fog, headaches, and irritability—a condition colloquially known as the 'keto flu' or 'broth fast flu'.
Vitamin and Mineral Imbalances: You risk deficiencies in essential micronutrients like calcium, iron, and B vitamins, leading to a host of health problems.

Electrolyte Imbalances and Dehydration

While broth provides some electrolytes, a restrictive diet can paradoxically lead to imbalances. A high sodium content in many commercial broths can pose a risk for individuals with hypertension. Meanwhile, the sudden dietary shift can cause your body to flush out electrolytes, potentially leading to symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and rapid heart rate. It is crucial to stay hydrated with water as well, but this alone will not prevent these issues.

Comparison: Broth Fast vs. Balanced Diet


Feature	Week-long Chicken Broth Diet	Balanced, Nutritious Diet
Weight Loss	Rapid, unsustainable, primarily water and muscle loss.	Gradual, sustainable, focuses on fat loss.
Nutritional Intake	Severely deficient in protein, fiber, carbs, and micronutrients.	Complete and varied, providing all essential macronutrients and micronutrients.
Energy Levels	Very low, with extreme fatigue and lethargy.	High and consistent, fueling the body and brain effectively.
Satiety	Limited and fleeting, often followed by intense hunger pangs.	High satiety from fiber and protein, reducing cravings.
Metabolic Impact	Risk of slowing metabolism to conserve energy.	Supports a healthy, functioning metabolism.
Digestive Health	Prone to constipation and other issues due to lack of fiber.	Promotes healthy and regular digestion with adequate fiber.

The Psychological Toll and Long-Term Consequences

A week-long fast is not only physically taxing but also emotionally and mentally draining. Food is an integral part of social life, and being unable to participate can lead to feelings of deprivation and isolation. The restrictive nature of the diet increases the risk of disordered eating patterns. In the long term, such extreme dieting can lead to chronic fatigue, metabolic damage, and a pattern of yo-yo dieting. A more sustainable approach to health involves a balanced diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Conclusion

Drinking only chicken broth for a week is an extreme and unsafe practice that does not offer any lasting health benefits. While it may result in temporary weight loss, this is primarily due to a loss of water and muscle mass, not fat. The week-long regimen will lead to severe nutritional deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and significant fatigue. Sustainable health and weight management are achieved through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and moderation, not extreme, restrictive fasts. Before embarking on any dramatic dietary change, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional. You can learn more about balanced nutrition and its benefits at reputable health and wellness websites. For general advice, consult resources from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may experience temporary weight loss, but it is primarily due to losing water weight and muscle mass, not fat. This weight is likely to return quickly after you stop the diet.

Health risks include severe nutritional deficiencies, loss of muscle mass, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and fatigue.

No, chicken broth is not a complete nutritional source. It is critically lacking in protein, fiber, and essential carbohydrates, as well as many crucial vitamins and minerals.

The diet is unsustainable because it is too restrictive and does not provide enough calories or nutrients. The rapid weight loss is temporary, and the plan is not a healthy long-term solution.

Yes, a week-long fast on chicken broth can cause severe constipation because the diet lacks dietary fiber, which is essential for healthy bowel movements.

There is no scientific evidence to support the need for detox diets, and your body's natural processes are sufficient for detoxification. A chicken broth detox is unsafe and lacks crucial nutrients.

Liquid diets are sometimes medically necessary for short-term situations like before a medical procedure. However, a prolonged fast on chicken broth is generally not recommended and should only be undertaken with strict medical guidance for specific health reasons.