Chicken soup is comforting for the soul, but it can also be incredibly healing when prepared correctly! These bone broth recipes for weight loss and glowing skin will leave you feeling satisfied and positive about your diet!
The term “bone broth” can be a bit misleading. Typically, broth refers to soup made without bones. However, bone broth is created from the bones and connective tissues of animals, making it more akin to a stock.
This stock is rich in gelatin, collagen, and amino acids, which can aid in gut healing. A healthy gut can enhance your skin and support weight loss, among other benefits.
Recently, bone broth and its health advantages have gained significant attention, especially within the Paleo community. We decided to try it ourselves to see what the excitement was about, and it has truly transformed our lives.
Not only is it incredibly nutritious, but it’s also surprisingly easy to make! While I’ve included some fantastic recipes below, remember that all you really need are bones, salt, and pepper.
Apple cider vinegar is also essential, as it helps break down the bones more quickly, allowing you to access all the beneficial nutrients! That’s all you need; consider the rest as optional extras. I often toss in some leftover vegetables like onions, celery, and carrots, but the bones provide all the flavor you need. You really can’t go wrong.
Another advantage: buying meat with bones is often cheaper than purchasing processed, boneless cuts like lean chicken breasts. So, save some money by buying a whole chicken and using the leftover carcass in your slow cooker for 24 hours!
Here are some recipes that enhance the flavor and nutrition of basic bone broth to help you lose weight and maintain healthy skin.
To prepare a basic bone broth, you’ll need animal bones, water, and apple cider vinegar. It’s best to source your bones from a clean supplier. Look for bones from organic meat that hasn’t been treated with antibiotics or chemicals. Health food stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s offer plenty of grass-fed and organic options.
Bones with more joints, such as chicken feet or wings, add extra gelatin to the stock, boosting its healing properties! Don’t limit yourself to chicken bones; you should also use bones from healthy beef and pork to ensure a variety of nutrients.
The bones don’t need to be covered in meat. When I cook a chicken, I usually pick it clean before placing the carcass in the slow cooker. Be sure to include the organ meats from the chicken as well (or boil them separately with some Cajun seasoning and add them to your morning omelet—that’s how we enjoy them)!
Fill a heavy stockpot or slow cooker with bones, covering them with filtered water until it’s about 2-3 inches below the top. For my 7-quart slow cooker, this is the right amount; you may need less water if your cooker is larger.
Add 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar and some salt and pepper if you like. The vinegar will help extract all the nutrients from the bones.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer it on the stove or in a slow cooker on low for at least 24 hours. If you see foam rising to the top during the first 2 to 3 hours, skim it off with a spoon.
After 24 hours, strain out the bones and use the broth in one of the recipes below. Note that cooking times can vary. Most recipes suggest a cooking time of 24-48 hours. A good rule of thumb is “the longer, the better,” but you generally shouldn’t cook it for more than 48 hours. For thicker beef and steak bones, aim for 48 hours (though 24 is fine if you’re short on time). For smaller bones like chicken or turkey, 24 hours is ideal.
Some people find plain bone broth a bit bland, but I’ve never experienced that when I add apple cider vinegar and cook it for at least 24 hours. It always tastes rich and savory, and I often don’t even add salt or pepper!
When refrigerated, the broth may turn into a gel, which is a good sign. This gel indicates that the stock is rich in healing gelatin and will return to liquid when heated.
Keep in mind that you might not achieve a “gel-like” texture with chicken bones, as they are smaller. You’ll see it more with larger beef bones cooked for 48 hours.
Some recipes suggest roasting the meat and/or bones before adding them to the stock for extra flavor, but this step is optional. We usually skip it to save time.
When you refrigerate the broth, the fat will rise to the top. It’s important to scoop it out if you’re not using organic bones, as toxins and chemicals can accumulate in animal fat. We typically remove most of it to keep the calorie count lower, as too much fat can hinder weight loss efforts.
You can simply add salt (or not—try it without first!) and sip bone broth from an insulated cup. It offers more healing benefits than coffee. You can also enhance it by using it in one of the recipes below.
Have you ever thought about having soup for breakfast? It’s not unusual. Many people enjoy hot foods like coffee and oatmeal in the morning. Soup is comforting, filling, and healing. Drinking bone broth on an empty stomach provides extra healing benefits.
Contrary to popular belief, bone broth also contains protein, making it more satisfying than just drinking “flavored water.”
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This soup is hearty and features flavors you might not typically enjoy, making it feel luxurious and exotic.
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This is the gluten-free version of the magical winter soup that grandma used to make, but it’s even more healing.
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French onion soup is easy to prepare and requires very few ingredients. Traditionally made with beef stock, it’s delicious with any bone broth.
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Tired of soup? Use the bone broth to make burgers. There’s no need for ketchup or a bun with this recipe.
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Bone broth is incredibly beneficial, but healing your gut takes time. Adding a good probiotic can speed up the healing process!
Regardless of the supplement you choose, aim for at least 50 billion units of probiotics daily from a minimum of 10 different sources for optimal results.
While you don’t have to buy only refrigerated probiotics, ensure the packaging is well sealed and dark (or opaque, not transparent) to protect against light damage.
We offer our own brand of probiotics at Avocadu called Gut-13.
In a recent study, women taking probiotics lost 50% more weight than those who did not. Your gut health and nutrient absorption are crucial. Don’t miss out on your daily probiotic.
Our specially formulated probiotic supplement contains:
You can learn more about it and its importance for gut health and overall well-being on our probiotics page.
Probiotics are one of the best ways to heal your gut, help you lose weight faster, and provide a healthy source of gut flora every day!
Next, focus on eating a healthy diet filled with whole, natural foods! Probiotics can help get your gut back on track, but they won’t have a significant impact if you continue eating the wrong foods that harm your gut in the first place.
This is a key focus of our 21-Day Fat Loss Challenge, which emphasizes changing eating habits and relearning what we should and shouldn’t consume.
If you enjoyed this article on 5 bone broth recipes for weight loss and vibrant skin or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or question below!
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