Will Drinking Chicken Broth Break a Fast? The Definitive Guide

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

Any substance containing calories has the potential to break a fast, but the impact of chicken broth depends on your specific fasting goals. The answer to "Will drinking chicken broth break a fast?" is nuanced and revolves around what you are trying to achieve with your fast.

Quick Summary

The effect of chicken broth on a fast depends on the individual's metabolic state and fasting objective. For fat loss, small amounts might be acceptable; for strict goals like autophagy, any calories will end the fast.

Key Points

Goal-Dependent: Whether chicken broth breaks a fast depends entirely on your fasting goals, such as weight loss or strict autophagy.
Calories Matter: Any caloric intake, even the 10-60 calories found in a cup of broth, technically breaks a zero-calorie fast.
Metabolic Impact: The protein in broth can trigger an insulin response, potentially interrupting key metabolic processes like ketosis and autophagy.
Autophagy No-Go: For strict, cellular clean-up fasts (autophagy), all calories are off-limits, making chicken broth unsuitable.
Weight Loss Aid: For intermittent fasting focused on weight loss, a small, low-calorie mug of broth may help manage hunger and adherence, but it's a personal decision based on its impact on your cravings.
Excellent Re-feeder: Broth is a great way to gently break a fast, providing electrolytes and nutrients without shocking the digestive system.

The question of whether chicken broth interrupts a fasting period is a common one, particularly among those practicing intermittent fasting or other structured eating plans. The short answer is: it depends on your specific goals. While the presence of any calories technically ends a strict fast, a small amount of broth may not derail a metabolic goal like ketosis for everyone, especially if the primary aim is weight management rather than cellular cleansing.

The Science Behind "Breaking a Fast"

Understanding how your body reacts to food is key to knowing whether chicken broth is permissible. When you fast, your body undergoes a process called metabolic switching, moving from burning glucose (sugar) for energy to burning fat. This can also lead to ketosis, where the body uses ketones from fat breakdown for fuel. A more advanced state, particularly during longer fasts, is autophagy, a cellular clean-up process.

Ingesting calories signals your body that food is available, prompting it to stop burning fat and halt the process of autophagy. The insulin response, even from small amounts of protein or carbs, can be the deciding factor. Since chicken broth contains small amounts of protein and sometimes carbohydrates, it triggers a metabolic response, effectively breaking the fast from a strict, technical standpoint.

How Many Calories Are in Chicken Broth?

Not all broths are equal, and their caloric and macronutrient content can vary significantly based on ingredients and preparation method. Store-bought chicken broth is typically lower in calories than homemade bone broth, which is simmered longer and extracts more protein and minerals.

Regular Chicken Broth: Can have as few as 10-30 calories per cup (250ml). This is usually derived from a mix of carbs and fat, with very little protein.
Chicken Bone Broth: Ranges from 30-60 calories per cup, or sometimes more, often with a higher protein content from the collagen and gelatin. The calorie count is heavily influenced by how much fat is skimmed off and the ratio of bones to water.

Homemade broths can also vary based on added vegetables, oils, and the amount of fat included. For example, adding fatty chicken skin during simmering or leaving the fat cap on after cooling will increase the calorie count.

The Role of Broth in Different Fasting Goals

Your decision to consume chicken broth while fasting should be guided by your specific health objectives. Here’s a breakdown of how it impacts different types of fasts:

Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

For those primarily focused on weight management and adhering to an eating window, a small, low-calorie serving of chicken broth might be acceptable. The key is whether it helps you stick to your fasting schedule without creating a significant insulin spike. A small mug can help curb hunger and cravings, making it easier to avoid higher-calorie temptations. However, you must be honest with yourself about whether it's helping or just adding unnecessary calories.

Fasting for Autophagy

If your goal is to trigger autophagy, the body's cellular cleansing process, you must avoid any caloric intake during your fasting window. Because chicken broth, even low-calorie versions, contains protein and sometimes carbs, it is not suitable for a strict autophagy fast and will break it. For this purpose, stick to zero-calorie beverages like water, black coffee, or plain herbal tea.

Fasting-Mimicking Diets or "Fat Fasting"

Some protocols are less strict about zero calories and allow for very small amounts of fat during the fasting period. In these cases, a fatty bone broth might be part of the plan. The idea is to keep the body in a ketogenic state by providing fat for energy while avoiding significant carbohydrate or protein intake. However, this is not a traditional fast and should be approached with a clear understanding of the specific diet plan.

Chicken Broth vs. Water/Tea for Fasting

For clarity, consider this comparison to help decide what's right for your fasting journey.


Feature	Water & Black Tea/Coffee	Chicken Broth	Result During Fasting
Calories	Zero (negligible in black coffee/tea)	10-60+ per cup, depending on type	Any calories technically end the fast
Insulin Response	Minimal/None	Can trigger a mild to moderate insulin response	Potential to disrupt metabolic switching and ketosis
Satiety	Moderate (curbs appetite temporarily)	High (protein can help with feelings of fullness)	Can help manage hunger pangs and stick to a plan
Electrolytes	None (unless fortified)	Excellent source of sodium and other minerals	Essential for preventing dehydration and low electrolyte symptoms, especially during longer fasts
Best For...	Strict fasting, autophagy, clean fasting	Less strict fasts, aiding adherence, or during a feeding window

How to Use Broth Strategically

Breaking your fast: Many experts recommend using broth as a gentle transition back to eating solid foods. This helps settle the stomach and provides nutrients and electrolytes without overwhelming your system.
Electrolyte replenishment: During extended fasts, maintaining electrolyte balance is crucial. Drinking a mug of broth during the eating window, or during the fast if you are following a less strict protocol, can help prevent light-headedness and muscle cramps.
Curbing cravings: If you are struggling with hunger during an intermittent fast, a small, low-fat mug of broth might be a tool to prevent overeating later.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether you decide that drinking chicken broth breaks a fast depends on your individual goals and tolerance. For a strict, zero-calorie fast intended to maximize autophagy, the answer is a definitive yes—it will break the fast. However, for those practicing intermittent fasting for weight loss and overall health benefits, a small amount of low-calorie broth might offer a helpful tool to manage hunger and support hydration, especially for electrolytes. As with any dietary modification, listening to your body and consulting with a healthcare professional can ensure your fasting strategy aligns with your unique health needs.

Learn more about fasting and metabolic health at the official Johns Hopkins Medicine website.

Frequently Asked Questions

For weight loss-focused intermittent fasting, a small amount of low-calorie chicken broth may not significantly impact your overall progress. Some find it helpful for managing hunger pangs, but it's a personal judgment call. For strict zero-calorie fasts, it technically breaks it.

Bone broth has higher protein and calories than regular broth, so it is more likely to break a fast, especially for strict purposes like autophagy. It's generally recommended to consume it during your eating window or during less strict fasting protocols.

The calorie count varies, but a typical cup (250ml) of store-bought chicken broth can have 10-30 calories. Bone broth tends to be higher, ranging from 30-60 calories or more, depending on fat content.

Yes, broth made with vegetables will contain carbohydrates, which have calories and will trigger an insulin response, thus breaking a fast.

Chicken broth can help replenish fluids and electrolytes during illness. However, if your fasting goal is autophagy, it will break your fast. You must weigh the health benefits of the broth against your fasting goals.

Bullion cubes are typically high in sodium and may contain flavorings and trace calories that could break a fast. A small amount dissolved in water is considered low-impact by some, but for a strict fast, it's best to stick to water.

During a strict fast, you can have black coffee, plain tea, or water. For less strict fasts, some allow flavored zero-calorie water or a small amount of broth.