The 7-Day Bone Broth Diet Plan: Benefits and Recipes

The bone broth diet combines nutrient-dense bone broth with whole foods and strategic fasting to support weight loss, gut health, and overall wellness. Made popular by Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, the bone broth diet typically runs for 21 days, though 7 and 14-day versions exist for those wanting a shorter commitment. This article explores the 7-day bone broth diet plan, its benefits, and how to incorporate it into your routine.

What is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is a traditional stock brimming with beneficial collagen that is made up of an array of amino acids, plus it has other collagen cofactors and important minerals. It is a rich liquid made by simmering animal bones and tissues, which provides essential nutrients like protein, fat, and calcium. The quality of your bone broth matters significantly. True bone broth is simmered for extended periods to extract maximum nutrients from the bones. A genuine bone broth is simmered for 12-24 hours or longer to extract collagen, minerals, and amino acids from the bones and connective tissues. This extended cooking process is what distinguishes bone broth from regular broth or stock, which are typically cooked for just 2-4 hours.

Benefits of Bone Broth

Here are some of the benefits of consuming bone broth:

Joint and Skin Health

Bone broth is rich in collagen, which is a protein that plays an important role in keeping our joints healthy and our skin looking youthful. As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen, which can lead to achy joints and visible signs of aging on our skin. By drinking bone broth, we're giving our bodies an extra boost of collagen. When we consume bone broth, the collagen gets broken down into amino acids, which our bodies can use to repair and rebuild the collagen in our joints and skin. The collagen in bone broth can smooth out wrinkles, plump up the skin, and give it a healthy and radiant glow. The antioxidants and vitamins in bone broth, like vitamin C and zinc, also help protect the skin and promote an even and youthful complexion.

Gut Health

The gelatin and amino acids in bone broth may help support gut integrity and reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, which could benefit individuals with digestive issues. Chronic inflammation is the root of many digestive disorders. By consuming bone broth, you're taking a proactive step toward better gut health. Bone broth is good for individuals with gut problems like leaky gut or inflammatory bowel conditions. Bone broth has gained popularity in recent years, with sales increasing as consumers seek out nutrient-dense, natural food options. The 21-day bone broth diet combines drinking bone broth with clean, low FODMAP meals to support digestion and reduce bloating. Bone broth’s gentle nutrients help soothe the gut while providing protein and minerals, making it easier to manage symptoms like IBS. The 2 week bone broth diet focuses on incorporating bone broth daily alongside nutrient-dense, low FODMAP foods for digestive support. It’s designed as a short reset to reduce inflammation and promote gut healing, emphasizing simplicity and flavor without triggering symptoms.

Read also: Bone Broth Benefits with Miracle Noodle

Immune System Support

One of the immune-boosting nutrients in bone broth is the amino acid glycine, which can enhance the activity of immune cells and help them better identify and eliminate threats. The anti-inflammatory features of bone broth are also crucial for maintaining a well-functioning immune system. Chronic inflammation can weaken the immune response, but the nutrients in bone broth like gelatin can help reduce overall inflammation in the body. The gelatin in bone broth can also help the immune system because of prebiotic-like effects that help nourish the beneficial bacteria in our gut. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is essential for a better immune system, as the gut is the first line of defense against pathogens and infections.

Weight Management

Many people use the bone broth diet for weight loss, and for good reason. One of the key advantages of bone broth is its high protein content. Protein is known to promote feelings of fullness and satisfaction, which can curb the appetite and help you stick to your diet. By consuming bone broth, you're giving your body a protein-packed boost that can prevent overeating. Also, the gelatin in bone broth can help your body burn fat more efficiently, which helps healthy weight loss. Bone broth also contains certain amino acids, like glycine and arginine, which can help preserve your lean muscle mass, which is crucial for achieving a healthy weight.

Bone Health

Bone broth is packed with calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are important for maintaining bone density and strength. These minerals work together to support the structural integrity of your bones and help prevent conditions like osteoporosis. Also, collagen provides flexibility and resilience to skeletal structure. Moreover, bone broth contains amino acids like glycine and proline, which are the building blocks of collagen.

Detoxification

Glycine in bone broth supports the body's natural detoxification processes and helps eliminate waste and toxins. It’s also rich in arginine, which can support the liver's ability to filter out harmful substances. Other minerals in bone broth, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, also help detoxification. These nutrients help alkalinize the body, which means creating an environment that is less favorable for the buildup of toxins and waste.

The 7-Day Bone Broth Diet Plan

The 7-day bone broth diet is a common introductory cycle, consisting of five days of eating whole foods and two fasting days. During the days that you do eat, you should consume one to three cups of bone broth per day as snacks and limit ingredients such as sugar, dairy, soy, grains, gluten and processed foods.

Read also: Benefits and Risks of Bone Broth Diet

Mini-Fast Days

You can choose between the following two options on mini-fast days:

  1. Drink 6 cups (8-ounce or 237 ml) of bone broth.
  2. Drink 5 portions of bone broth, then finish the day with a snack containing high-protein foods, non-starchy vegetables, or foods with healthy fats like fatty fish such as salmon.

In both options, you'll only consume 300-500 calories on mini-fast days. The fasting days don't need to be consecutive - many people choose to space them throughout the week (like Monday and Thursday) for better sustainability.

Non-Fasting Days

On days when you're not fasting, you should consume vegetables, fruit, and high-fat and high-protein foods. Remember that carbohydrates, including fruits and starchy vegetables, are limited to one portion per day to promote fat-burning.

Here are examples of the foods you can eat on non-fasting days:

  • High Protein Foods: Beef, chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs, preferably sourced from pastured, free-range, or wild-caught varieties
  • Vegetables: Non-starchy options like asparagus, broccoli, leafy greens, tomatoes, and summer squash
  • Fruits: Apples, berries, melons, citrus fruits, and kiwi, with a daily limit of one portion
  • Foods with Healthy Fats: Avocados, coconut oil, nuts, olive oil, and ghee (clarified butter)
  • Condiments: Celtic or pink Himalayan salt, various spices like cumin and paprika, vinegar, and salsa
  • Flours: Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Beverages: Coffee, tea, and water

7-Day Bone Broth Detox Meal Plan Example

Here's an example of a 7-day meal plan incorporating bone broth:

Read also: Bone Broth Fasting: A Detailed Look

Day 1:

  • Breakfast: Detox green smoothie.
  • Lunch: A light chicken and vegetable soup.
  • Dinner: Cheddar Broccoli Bone Broth soup with roasted cauliflower on the side.

Day 2:

  • Breakfast: Chia seed pudding.
  • Lunch: Chicken vegetable quinoa bowl.
  • Dinner: Broccoli cheddar risotto. Replace traditional rice with cauliflower rice and cook it in Cheddar Broccoli Bone Broth.

Day 3:

  • Breakfast: Greek yogurt parfait.
  • Lunch: Broccoli cheddar power bowl.
  • Dinner: Classic chicken soup.

Day 4:

  • Breakfast: Turkey Bacon & Avocado Power Plate.
  • Lunch: Broccoli cheddar soup redux.
  • Dinner: Bone broth curry.

Day 5:

  • Breakfast: Matcha latte.
  • Lunch: Zoodle soup.
  • Dinner: Sheet pan dinner.

Day 6:

  • Breakfast: Veggie-packed omelet. Whisk eggs and cook with sautéed spinach, bell peppers, and onions.
  • Lunch: Broccoli cheddar casserole. Layer roasted broccoli, shredded chicken, and Cheddar Broccoli Bone Broth in a baking dish.
  • Dinner: Bone broth ramen.

Day 7:

  • Breakfast: Lemon-ginger tea.
  • Lunch: Light veggie soup.
  • Dinner: Detox salad.

Additional Tips for the 7-Day Bone Broth Diet

  • Hydration is key: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • Listen to your body: Adjust the plan based on your individual needs and hunger levels.
  • Plan ahead: Prepare your meals and bone broth in advance to stay on track.
  • Timing is crucial: Aim to consume protein-rich meals and snacks every 3-4 hours to keep your body in an anabolic state.

Potential Downsides of the Bone Broth Diet

Bone broth can have the following disadvantages:

High Histamine Levels

Bone broth, especially when cooked for extended periods, can be high in histamine. For those with histamine intolerance or sensitivities, consuming too much bone broth can cause symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or skin irritation.

Potential Oxalate Concerns

Certain bone broths, especially those made from bones with a high cartilage content, like chicken feet or knuckles, can be high in oxalates. Consuming large amounts of bone broth can worsen the situation for those with a tendency to form kidney stones or other oxalate-related health problems.

Time-Consuming Preparation

Making high-quality bone broth at home can be a time-consuming process, as it requires simmering the bones for extended periods, often 12-24 hours or more, which is not suitable for everyone's lifestyle.

Bone Broth vs. Stock: What's the Difference?

  • Bone Broth: Made primarily with bones (often roasted first) and a small amount of vegetables.
  • Stock: Also made with bones, but typically with more meat still attached, and a larger quantity of vegetables (like mirepoix).
  • Broth: Made mostly from meat and a small number of bones.

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