Does Vegetable Broth Break a Fast?
If you have ever decided to fast, you may have wondered ‘does vegetable broth break a fast?’ Fasting has many health benefits and is incorporated into a variety of diets. It is important to understand what falls within your chosen fasting regiment.
Fasting
Fasting is a period of abstinence from food and/or drinks. This is often done for religious purposes, to improve health and even to lose weight. Fasting often involves avoiding all solid food while drinking calorie- and nutrient-free beverages like water, broth, and tea. The goal is to refrain from taking in any calories that would trigger an insulin response. Sometimes, certain beverages are allowed while fasting, depending upon the regimen you follow and what type of fast you engage with.
Vegetable Broth
Vegetable broth is typically made from low calorie vegetables, such as onions, carrots, and celery. The vegetables are boiled in water with various spices or herbs and allowed to steep before straining out the vegetables. Depending on the recipe, it may also contain sources of natural sugar, such as garlic, or small amounts of oil, such as olive oil.
Does it Break the Fast
Drinking vegetable broth does not technically break a fast, as long as you do not consume more than 50 calories with it. This is because a moderate amount of vegetable broth like this, contains less than 10% of a person’s daily calorie intake. However, if you add too many vegetables or extra ingredients like garlic, the calorie content could go up and it will end your fast. For this reason, it is best to avoid it while on a strict fast.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are fasting, it is best to abstain from consuming vegetable broth and replace it with calorie- and nutrient-free beverages like water, broth, and tea. However, if you cannot resist the appeal of vegetable broth, one cup of homemade vegetable broth will not break your fast as long as it is kept under 50 calories.
Remember: Stay within the nutritional guidelines of your fasting regimen and stick to calorie- and nutrient-free beverages to maintain the benefits of fasting.
