Why would anyone not love soup? Since soups are mostly liquid, they’re a great way to stay hydrated and full. They give your immune system a boost. Soups can help you stave off cold and flu, and they’re a great antidote for times when you are sick, too! Most soups are loaded with disease-fighting nutrients.
Soup is one of the simplest foods to make and one of the healthiest. You only have to chop up a variety of vegetables, mix with a little stock or a low sodium (low in salt) stock cube and hot water and add your favourite herbs and spices, and simmer to have a healthy and satisfying meal. A great alternative to a stock cube as a base is a can of chopped tomatoes or passata. For children, who are reluctant to eat vegetables, a soup can be liquidised so that the vegetables are invisible, whilst maintaining all their benefits.
Soup is super to help weight loss too, because a bowl of soup before or even in place of a meal will fill you up and help reduce your likelihood of over-eating or of snacking later on. A good soup will often provide your 5-a-day of vegetables and if there are added beans, lentils or barley, you are also supporting your gut. Some people like soup to replace a meal and may include protein e.g. chicken or tofu and noodles (ideally wholemeal or buckwheat) together with a host of vegetables. It can be spicy or mild, hot or chilled, chunky or smooth. The options are endless.
Another benefit of soup is that they freeze well. Soup and stews are great if you want to meal prep lunches or dinners in advance. Whip up a batch on the weekend, and you can stash half in the freezer to enjoy later. A bonus: you’ll have healthy, homemade soup at the ready when you’re busy, under the weather or too tired to cook.
Dr Jackie Rose, is a Nutritional Therapist who heads up the Nutrition Clinic at Private GP Extra. Dr Rose is an experienced GP (recently retired from practice) who specialises in nutrition and has co-written a Healthy Eating Cook Book. Find out more here https://www.privategpextra.com/nutrition-private-gp-extra/
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