First fast with bone broth instead of fat coffee - the PROTIEN grams!

(Carey) #1

Hi all. I am on hour 21 of what I am hoping will be at least a 36 hour fast. (Strangely hour 12 was the hardest and I have passed 12 hours dozens of times with ease.)

At this point I have had 3 cups of bone broth throughout the day as I am stepping gently towards water only. I realized that, while the calories are quite low, the grams of protein are creeping up towards a normal day of eating for me! I was shocked when I actually stopped to read the label.

I have read and listened to many podcasts about fasting with bone broth as a way to get started, which is how I got the idea. I can’t help wondering about the impact of 40ish grams of protein though. Does my body actually perceive this as a fast with that much protein? I have heard and read about keeping calories low to nothing while fasting and also that fat fasting has low insulin impact but am surprised that I have not heard this protein (from bone broth) issue referenced.

Am I missing something?

#2

There’s a pretty wide variety of opinions on what constitutes a “true” fast, but I think it’s generally accepted that taking in protein inhibits autophagy, which is one of the benefits of fasting. I’m sure there are plenty of other benefits to a broth-only fast but I’ve seen a fair number of posts on here about moving away from broth as folks get more used to fasting and it’s usually specifically b/c of the protein content.

[That said - 40g of protein in 3 cups of broth sounds incredibly high…]

(Carey) #3

Thanks! I agree the protein is super high. Maybe I can find another brand that is less protein. I will want to graduate to water fasts as soon as I am able but gotta build up the fasting muscle.

#4

In case this helps, my progression was: BPC and lots of tea with heavy cream AND 2 cups of bone broth (first several 40-hour fasts); then BPC maybe one tea with some cream for my next few; BPC for a few; then water and salt only for multi-day fasts.

(Joseph) #5

I feel like fast are so subjective. Some people do bone broth, some do BPC w/ cream, tea with cream, and then some just do straight water and black coffee. The point of fasting is to promote autophagy. Unfortunately there aren’t many studies that have been conducted on the subject so there is not a real substantial amount of solid evidence to back the claim.

#6

I agree with the subjectivity of a fast. I’m in hour 20 of a 5 day fast. I make my own broth using pastured raised chickens so I have no idea what my protein content is. I know using 2 or 3 cups a day helps me fast and my blood sugar lowers while my blood ketones rise. I enter the euphoric state and realize the benefits of not eating, like extra time and energy to go with it! Broth, coffee, and water with small amounts of cream or butter at times, works for me.

(Sheri Knauer) #7

Next time you would usually go for the bone broth, try putting about a 1/4 tsp of salt directly on your tongue and let it sit for a few minutes, then chase down with some water. You may just need a bit a salt instead of the bone broth and the podcast on salt also talked about doing this as opposed to just putting some in the water you drink. You may find its just the additional salt you need and can skip the bone broth, at least for a little while. Its worth a try, right?

(Cathy) #8

I make my own bone broth and am pretty sure it has a much lower protein content. Here is a link to a breakdown of the nutrient content of a typical bone broth.

I agree with Sheri that salt is a very good replacement for bone broth (thanks Carl and Richard). I have tried it and it is magical.

(migorstmarseille) #9

I manually entered the ingredients for the Instapot bone broth I make at home and the tally came out about 3 grams of protien per cup of broth. Not bad.

#10

When I started fasting I would have 8 ounces of homemade bone broth with 1 tbsp butter once during the day. Then I drpped the butter. And eventually I found I did not want the bone broth at all. Now I just make sure I get magnesium, potassium, and salt when I fast. I have started carrying my Himalayan pink salt with me and when I started to feel like I am lagging I put a small amount on my tongue, let it dissolve and chase with water. Keeps me feeling great and easily able to fast. Keep with it as it does get easier with time.

#11

From the article:

The nutrition facts of this recipe are estimated based on comparison of similar products. Protein content varies and depends on several factors such as type of bones used and cooking time.

The collagen/gelatin in the broth is where most of the protein lies.

Here’s another breakdown of various broths: http://www.alive.com/health/bone-broth-analysis-reader-research/

(Carey) #12

I HAVE been doing that with the salt and it works miracles. I found yesterday that I did need the extra kick from bone broth a couple of times but it may have been more mental than anything, building the fasting muscle and all :grinning: