Bone soup has been everywhere in the past few years, with good reason. Bone broth is not only rich in collagen and minerals, but also high in amino acids, which is crucial for forming proteins and building muscle, skin and tissue. It may even help the digestive system, support the immune system, fight inflammation and preserve bone health.
Among the most important micronutrients in bone soup? “Potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, calcium, vitamin A and certain B vitamins,” said Laura Parada, a nutritionist and hormone health expert.
But that’s not all. Additionally, “Bone broth is known to provide fullness despite its low calories,” Parada said. “It also enhances gut health and flora by protecting the intestinal barrier.”
Just add protein…and vegetables
All of this is great, but is it OK to eat bone broth instead of dining? Not exactly. Although bone broth is absolutely nutritious, it is not enough to be a standalone meal because it lacks the full spectrum of fiber, fat and protein we need. As nutritionist Itziar Digón emphasized: “Protein sources such as quinoa, eggs, fish or lean meat should be supplemented.”
It is well known that getting enough protein is crucial to our well-being – bone broth alone won’t cut it. “On average, women should get one gram of protein per day per day,” Palada said. She also noted that in addition to the source of protein, it is also best to add vegetables, beans, seeds or olive oil to bone broth.
Is it okay to eat bone soup as a meal?
However, there is a situation possible It is acceptable to eat a pure bone soup, but it needs to be carefully considered. “When I was asked if bone broth was enough for dinner, my answer usually depends on what I was eating during the day,” Parada explained. “If you have consumed all the nutrients and calories your body needs before dinner, adding more may not be necessary.”
Of course, she noticed carefully that this was the exception, not the rule. Bone broth is not a healthy dietary alternative and should be consumed on your own only if you have met your day’s large amounts of nutrients and calorie needs. If anything, it is best to use it as a snack alternative between meals: “When you feel pecked but aren’t really hungry, drinking bone broth can provide fullness,” Parada notes.
The healthiest bone soup
For bone broth, there is enough nutrition, so a satisfactory time is key. “Bone broth is prepared by slowly cooking beef, lamb, chicken or pork bones in water for about 12 to 24 hours,” explains Parada. “The result is that the broth should have a gel-like one after cooling. Boil these bones and keep them in the broth, the more protein and collagen.”
