People fast for a variety of reasons, including religious observances or health and medical purposes. While doing so, broth is usually considered acceptable to eat because it's considered more of a liquid than a food. Chicken broth contains about 40 calories per cup, is low in fat and is a good source of protein. Broth is also more filling than water, which makes it easier to curb hunger pangs while fasting. Make sure your doctor is aware any time you make a dramatic diet change.
Start slowly. Unless your doctor orders it, it's not a good idea to jump right into a weeklong fast. Proper mental and physical preparation is needed for success, so begin with a 24-hour fast and work yourself up to the desired number of days.
Make a chart or mark your calendar. Being able to see and mark your progress is a motivating factor for some people.
Use the right kind of broth. Some brands of chicken broth are extremely high in sodium, which may cause you to retain excess water. For an extra healthy alternative, you can prepare your own.
Consume broth during your regular meal times. Especially if you have a regular eating schedule, you may get particularly hungry during certain times of the day. Make sure you anticipate these times by having a cup of broth before you get hungry enough to consider breaking your fast.
Be patient with yourself. The first few days are the most difficult, and you should plan enough activities during these days so you are too busy to be constantly be thinking of food. Avoid temptations, such as meeting friends at a restaurant.
Resume your normal diet gradually. Once your broth fast ends, avoid gorging on a huge meal and picking up your previous habits right away. Doing so can upset your digestive system and cause your body to react with adverse symptoms. Begin with small snacks and light meals and continue to drink broth in between until you feel you can tolerate a normal diet again.
Warning
Listen to your body and stop fasting if you feel persistently dizzy, shaky or too weak to do anything. If you are fasting to lose weight, be aware of the symptoms of eating disorders and get help from your doctor if you feel you might have one. Fasting is not a long-term diet solution. Even if you are feeling extremely peckish, do not chug your broth. Drinking it too fast could cause you to be sick or develop a bad association with its taste.
