And some nice tips thrown in, for good measure!
In winter, there’s nothing like a good soup to keep warm (chicken soup is a classic to help you recover when you get a cold).
It may not make you grow as much as children think, but it has many other very real virtues.
Discover 10 good reasons to include soup in your meals!
1 – Moisturizer
A vegetable soup brings the equivalent of 2 small glasses of water.
During the winter, it helps to fight against drying out due to the heating of the apartments.
Whenever possible, it is better to use homemade soups based on fresh or frozen vegetables.
TIP: Beware of dehydrated or brick soups, some of which contain a lot of salt, even if the levels have dropped considerably over the last 10 years.
Make sure you pay close attention to the salt level on the label: more than 1 g per plate is a lot!
2 – Hypo-caloric
Light, soup is the friend of slimming diets. Depending on the recipe, a 250 g plate contains between 50 and 150 kcal. The lightest ones are vegetable-based, without starch or added fat.
It is always better to add some yourself, as cheese or cream will be of better nutritional quality.Be careful to keep your hand light, however, because butter, cream or bacon will quickly increase the caloric value!
TIP: To add flavor, just play with the spices. For example, try tomato, aniseed and poppy seed soup. In the end, it tastes great with almost no calories.
3 – Satietogenic
Soup turns out to be “satietogenic”, i.e. it makes you feel full.
It stalls, thanks to its water content but especially thanks to the fibers in the vegetables.
A bowl of soup provides 10% to 25% of the recommended daily fiber intake.
Fibers swell and contribute to the feeling of satiety.
In this way, soup acts as a natural appetite suppressant.
4 – Remineralizing
Still thanks to its vegetables, it is a mine of minerals and anti-fatigue vitamins.
With carrots, pumpkin and watercress, it provides beta-carotene.
With green beans or courgettes, it is full of magnesium.
With tomatoes it is a concentrate of lycopene, a super antioxidant.
And cabbage soup is a concentrate of minerals.
TIP: You can add roasted almonds at serving time.
They provide good fats but also 19 minerals and trace elements.
5 – Laxative
The fiber in vegetables, not always well tolerated in raw vegetables, is softened when cooked.
Vegetables become very digestible and the fibers, having become soft, facilitate transit without irritating.
Natural and gentle.
TIP: Soups with leeks and old vegetables (parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes, etc.) are particularly recommended!
6 – Attractive
Soup has the merit of pleasing everyone, including children and the elderly! It has its place at every meal.
All vegetables can be cooked.
Children will love the carrot soup, with its sweet taste.
TIP: It can also be served at a fancy dinner and even as an aperitif by presenting it in terrines.
Simply sprinkle the soup with a crunchy ingredient such as vegetable crisps, seeds or popcorn…
With a little herbs and spices, the trick is done!
7 – Protector
Soup is a friend to our arteries and its vegetables are said to help prevent overweight-related diseases and some cancers. Vegetables are indeed rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene.
The protective sulfur elements in cabbage and onions are particularly protective.
And all fibers help to lower cholesterol.
Vegetables also help to fight against pathologies linked to the metabolic syndrome, i.e. hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.
8 – Drainage
Green vegetable soups, especially those based on broccoli, green beans or leeks are highly recommended for detoxification.
It is their potassium content that facilitates drainage.
A green soup is detoxifying by nature!
TIP: Purists can add an artichoke!
9 – Balancing
A bowl of soup provides one of the 5 servings of vegetables a day. It can be made into a complete meal if the soup is well customized with a protein: diced ham, shrimp, chicken pieces, Bündnerfleisch (aka Grisons Meat), or a poached egg.
Add a dairy, such as grated or melted cheese.
Starch is optional for dinner, but a few vermicelli, cereal or homemade croutons will help keep it in place.
You can also add fresh vegetable sticks.
TIP: For a complete dinner, simply add a yogurt if the soup is dairy-free and a fresh fruit or applesauce.
10 – User-friendly
Certainly, the soup warms the body. But it also warms the atmosphere.
Served in a pretty soup tureen, it recalls the family meals of childhood.
In this it symbolizes sharing and conviviality.
And precisely, conviviality favors the variety of dishes and a balanced diet!
What are the key health benefits of regularly consuming soup?
Regularly consuming soup can provide multiple health benefits. Soup is hydrating because of its high water content, aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption. It is also typically low in calories but high in nutrients; vegetables, lean proteins, and fiber within it can offer vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Additionally, soup generally has less fat content as compared to other meals.
Can soup aid in weight loss and if so, how does it work?
Yes, soup can definitely aid in weight loss. Firstly, soup is often low in calories but high in fiber, making you feel fuller without consuming a lot of calories. The high water content also contributes to a feeling of fullness, preventing overeating.
Finally, the inclusion of protein and complex carbs can ensure sustained energy release, preventing unnecessary snacking.
What types of soup are the most nutrient-dense or beneficial for overall health?
Nutrient-dense soups often include a variety of vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Minestrone, chicken and vegetable soup, or lentil and vegetable soup are generally rich in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber.
How can incorporating soup into your diet benefit your digestion?
Incorporating soup into your diet can significantly improve digestion. The high fiber content, especially in soups loaded with vegetables or legumes, aids in regulating bowel movements and enhancing gut health.
Moreover, the liquid content of soup can assist in avoiding dehydration, which is essential for healthy digestion.
Are there certain soups that are recommended for boosting immunity?
Soups made with ingredients known for boosting immunity are highly recommended. For example, a soup made with chicken, garlic, and vegetables can provide protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help bolster the immune system.
Does the nutritional content of a soup change with homemade versus canned soup?
Yes, the nutritional content of a soup can vary between homemade and canned versions. Homemade soup often contains a higher nutrient content because you can control the amount and variety of vegetables, proteins, and whole grains included.
Canned soups are typically high in sodium and may contain preservatives or artificial additives but less nutritional value in terms of fresh ingredients.
