For many of us, the hardest part of losing weight is breaking the snacking habit. When your stomach starts to rumble, it’s so easy to turn to your favorite snacks. The next thing you know that chip bag is empty and you’re still feeling a little hungry!
If diet plans always leave you wanting more, then bone broth could be just what you need. Packed full of protein, bone broth is filling without the calories. Bone broth is more than just the latest diet fad. This ancient solution is simple and effective.
In this guide, we’ll explore the question: does bone broth help you lose weight? We’ll take a look at the science behind bone broth and discuss our favorite brands to try. Ready to transform your weight loss journey? Let’s get started!
Quick Answer
Bone broth can help you lose weight thanks to its protein-rich formula. These proteins help you stay full, even after a light meal. And because bone broth is low-calorie, it’s a great way to fill up when you’re trying to lose weight.
Does Bone Broth Help You Lose Weight?
Yes, bone broth can help you lose weight. Enjoying bone broth as part of a healthy diet can help you cut down on any snacking habits. You can feel more full after a cup of bone broth than after a calorie-rich snack!
Bone broth is absolutely packed full of protein. These proteins have many benefits, among them helping you feel full. Drinking bone broth when you start to feel hungry can reduce the urge to snack. You’ll feel fuller for longer.
This full feeling comes without a heavy load of calories. So, you’ll have enjoyed a satisfying snack without a big calorie intake.
And while it might not be directly related to weight loss, bone broth also helps your joints and tendons stay healthy and flexible. This is thanks to the collagens and amino acids it contains.
With flexible joints it’s easier to stay active, aiding you on your weight loss journey.
What Are The Benefits Of Bone Broth?
Bone broth has become an immensely popular health food, with celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Kylie Jenner both extolling its virtues. This might come as a surprise!
Bone broth is often seen as an old-fashioned kitchen staple, rather than a modern health food.
But people have been drinking bone broth to feel better for literal millennia. It’s an ancient food with a wealth of benefits that we’re only just beginning to fully understand.
Let’s explore some of the benefits of bone broth:
- Bone broth contains collagen which is broken down into amino acids which can be used to form protein. These proteins help skin and hair grow strong and healthy.
- Collagen and other proteins also support skin health. They can help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, hydrating your skin and giving it plenty of bounce.
- The amino acids in bone broth support your joints and ligaments. They can help you stay strong and flexible. This has many benefits, including aiding your weight loss journey. With healthy joints, you can exercise more efficiently!
- Bone broth contains lots of nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients support the body.
- The gelatin in bone broth makes it easier to digest the proteins and nutrients. It can also help support your gut health! A strong gut can fight off disease, keeping you (and your body) happy.
- Bone broth is an excellent source of electrolytes. These electrolytes help keep the body in balance, transferring water around the system. This is great when you’re feeling dehydrated, for example, after exercise! Sipping on bone broth can help you feel reinvigorated after a workout.
- The glycine in bone broth is thought to act as a sleep aid. Sipping on a cup of bone broth might help you sleep better for longer. And good sleep is beneficial for every part of the body, as well as helping you lose weight.
Can Bone Broth Support Your Gut?
Bone broth is good for the gut, helping it to fight off infections and heal the lining. This is in large part thanks to the gelatine contained in bone broth.
Gelatin is very easy to digest. This means if you’re having stomach problems, gelatin is a good food choice! The gelatin in bone broth helps the liquid pass easily through the system, for less funny tummies.
And as gelatin attracts and binds water, it also helps other foods pass through the gut easily.
Bone broth also contains an amino acid known as glutamine. Glutamine is excellent for the gut. It helps soothe and heal the intestinal barrier, preventing conditions such as leaky gut.
When there’s damage to the intestinal wall, eating and drinking can become uncomfortable. Proteins such as glutamine help to fix broken areas. Food can pass through without causing upset and inflammation!
Because of this, bone broth might benefit those suffering from leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease.
What Should I Look For When Buying Bone Broth?
There are a few different types of bone broth available, but the most common are chicken and beef. You can also get mixed bone broth and pork bone broth, but these aren’t as easy to buy.
Some bone broths keep things simple with minimal flavorings. Others add extra seasonings to create something new! Either option is good, although watch out for flavored varieties with lots of additives.
A good bone broth will have a relatively simple ingredient list. You want to avoid anything with lots of additives, preservatives, and fillers.
What you do want to look for is protein and calorie levels! Most bone broth brands are upfront about these details. You want a high level of protein and a low number of calories, especially if you’re after a bone broth to lose weight.
Finally, something that’s hard to determine when shopping — taste. If you’re drinking bone broth to lose weight, you’ll be drinking it on its own.
So, you want it to have a taste you’ll enjoy. Luckily, if you don’t like your first choice, there are plenty of other bone broths to try!
Here are some of our favorite bone broths:
1. FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth
FOND Chicken Bone Broth is a delicious option in a shelf-stable jar! This is our favorite chicken bone broth. We particularly like the “Spring Clean” variety.
This has a delightful zing thanks to the addition of lemon and radish. It’s more complex than your average chicken bone broth, making it great to sip on.
Containing high levels of protein, we love this broth for a spring diet. You’ll enjoy drinking it in the sunshine!
2. Kettle & Fire Classic Beef Bone Broth
There are plenty of different flavors available for Kettle & Fire beef broth, but we’re a fan of the classic. It’s strong and meaty, and probably our favorite beef bone broth!
Made using only the best bones, the slow simmer helps break down the proteins for easier absorption.
As well as being delicious to sip on, the Kettle & Fire beef bone broth is a great base for soups and stews. The flavor packs a punch but it’s also relatively simple, so it adapts to different tastes.
3. Bare Bones Beef Bone Broth
Bare Bones Beef Broth is one of the tastiest bone broths available. It was crafted by a chef and the rich flavor balance — boosted by plenty of herbs and spices — makes it easy to drink.
All the vegetables and herbs are fresh, for better flavor (and more nutrients). On a chilly day, you’ll look forward to settling in with a cup of this broth!
Made using exclusive clean and organic ingredients, Bare Bones is packed with collagen and proteins. It’s been simmered for over 20 hours, so all that goodness can be released into your broth.
4. Epic Artisanal Bone Broth Beef Jalapeno Sea Salt
We love the taste of bone broth, but let’s be honest — if you’re sipping bone broth every day, it can get a little boring. That’s why we love this artisanal beef bone broth with jalapeno sea salt from Epic.
It has a burst of heat and a fun flavor that adds some excitement to your daily cup of broth!
But just because Epic is doing something a little different doesn’t mean they’ve abandoned the basics! Made using an epic long simmer and plenty of fresh bones, it’s loaded with protein.
5. Paleovalley Beef Bone Broth Protein Powder
Even if it isn’t your traditional broth, Paleovalley Beef Bone Broth Protein Powder is so good we thought it was worth a mention! This powdered broth can be mixed with water to form a liquid broth, or added to juices and smoothies.
Bone broth in a smoothie might sound awful, but the mild taste of Paleovalley Bone Broth means you won’t even notice it’s there.
Conclusion
Bone broth is absolutely packed full of proteins and nutrients, helping your gut stay strong and your body stay healthy.
These same proteins can also help you to lose weight. Sipping on a bone broth will leave you feeling full and satisfied, without a heavy hit of calories!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all bone broth should contain collagen. That includes bone broth you buy in stores. Collagen is the biggest building block of bone, and it naturally breaks down as you boil it into broth.
What you find in bone broth isn’t necessarily collagen, but the parts that make collagen. So, you don’t have to look for collagen on the label. Instead, look for the protein count!
A bone broth with a high protein count can support your own collagen production.
Yes, you can make your own bone broth! Bone broth is relatively easy to make, requiring minimal hands-on time and little prep. Simply cover your chosen bones in water, add a splash of vinegar and some seasoning, and simmer.
The longer the simmer, the better. This will allow all the proteins to be sucked from the bones. When the bones start to fall apart, you’ll know they’ve given all they have to give!
The advantage of making your own bone broth is that you can control the flavor and sodium levels. However, it is harder to know just how much protein is in each cup.
