How many calories does bone broth have?
Calories determine how a food or drink interacts with a fast.
Bone broth is naturally low in calories, but the exact amount depends on the recipe and its concentration. A drinkable liquid bone broth usually contains fewer calories per serving than a dehydrated powder or concentrated paste, where the nutrients are more densely packed.
The only definitive figure is the one on the nutrition panel of the product you are using.
The macronutrient profile of bone broth is consistent. Most of the calories come from protein, with minimal fat and very little carbohydrate. The guides to bone broth calories and broader bone broth nutrition set out the specific numbers.
This low-calorie, protein-led profile is part of what makes bone broth useful during a fast. It takes the edge off hunger without feeling like a full meal.
Bone broth and intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting is mainly about meal timing. It alternates between eating windows and fasting windows, such as the 16:8 or 18:6 methods.
In most versions, the fasting window is a long break from solid meals while calories stay very low. It is not always a literal zero-calorie state.
Within that kind of routine, a high-quality bone broth is a practical choice. It is easy to buy bone broth online in ready-to-drink cartons or instant sachets. A warm mug during a fasting window gives you protein, amino acids and minerals while managing hunger, without the digestive load of a solid meal.
Because bone broth contains calories, it makes the fast modified rather than absolute. For standard intermittent fasting goals, a small number of calories does not undermine the routine, and it makes the fasting window easier to maintain and reduces the chance of giving up early.
If your chosen method requires a strict zero-calorie limit, keep bone broth to your eating window. The right choice depends on the fasting method you follow. For a fuller look at schedules and timing, see the guide to bone broth for fasting.
Bone broth, ketosis and autophagy
Some fasting goals work through different metabolic processes.
Genuine bone broth contains negligible carbohydrates, so a plain, unsweetened bone broth will not disrupt ketosis. Keto followers can include it without risking their metabolic state.
Watch for added sugar or starchy thickeners in heavily processed commercial products, so check the label carefully. Our keto bone broth guide has a fuller breakdown.
Autophagy is different.
Cellular clearance, which strict fasting aims to stimulate, is strongest when calorie intake is near zero. Bone broth gives you amino acids that suppress autophagy signals, so if deep cellular cleanup is your goal, save it for your eating window.
If autophagy is your main reason for fasting, save bone broth for your eating window.
The distinction is simple. Bone broth fits well with fasting routines focused on digestive rest or appetite control. Avoid it if you are aiming for strict autophagy or following a medically directed fast.
For fasting, choose a bone broth with a short ingredient list and no added sugars or thickeners. Look for labels that specify ‘no added ingredients’ or ‘unsweetened’ so it aligns with your fasting goals. Our guide to the best bone broth to buy walks through what to look for.
