Does Bone Broth Break a Fast?

Reviewed by the FastTrack team · Updated June 2026
Short answer: Yes

Bone broth breaks a fast. It contains protein, fat, and calories that raise insulin, so it ends a fast, though it is a gentle option for breaking longer fasts.

Calories~30-50 kcal per cup
Breaks a weight-loss fast?Yes
Breaks ketosis?No
Breaks autophagy?Yes
Insulin impactYes

Why bone broth breaks a fast

Bone broth provides protein, some fat, and 30 to 50 calories per cup. The protein in particular raises insulin and switches off autophagy, so technically bone broth breaks a fast. It has little carbohydrate, so it will not knock you out of ketosis, but it still ends a true fast.

A useful tool for long fasts

Despite breaking a strict fast, bone broth is widely used on multi-day fasts because it replaces electrolytes and makes the fast easier to sustain without spiking blood sugar. If your goal is maximum autophagy, avoid it; if your goal is getting through a long fast comfortably, a cup of broth is a reasonable compromise.

How much is safe

On a 16:8 fast it breaks the window, so save it for your eating window; on multi-day fasts a cup can be a deliberate compromise.

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Frequently asked questions

Does bone broth break a fast?
Yes, its protein and calories break a strict fast.
Does bone broth break ketosis?
No, it has little carbohydrate, so it does not break ketosis.
Why do people drink bone broth while fasting?
It provides electrolytes and makes long fasts easier, even though it technically breaks the fast.
Is bone broth okay on a 16:8 fast?
It would break the fasting window; save it for your eating window or use it on longer fasts.

Better choices while fasting