We’re now well and truly into winter season, the temperature has dropped, the days are shorter and suddenly salad doesn’t seem like such an appealing lunch option. It’s time to bring on some soup! It may surprise you to hear that not only are soups a great option nutritionally, but certain types of soup have also been proven to help support weight loss.
In particular, vegetable-based soups are a great option nutritionally as they combine a high nutrient density with a low energy density – this means that we get lots of key nutrients including vitamins and minerals for relatively few calories. At a time where foods with a high-energy density and low-nutrient density such as white bread, snack foods, sugar-based drinks and high-fat fast foods dominate our intake, a low-calorie option that fills us up is a much better option for optimal health.
Studies have repeatedly shown that when diners consume a low-calorie vegetable-based soup before their main meal, they consume up to 20% less calories at a meal. The reason is simple. Basically the bulk of the soup helps to fill us up so we eat less. Nutritionally this is also beneficial as the nutrients found in vegetables including many water soluble vitamins such as vitamin B, C, K as well as dietary fibre and a range of minerals, also helps to regulate the digestive tract and ensure that we get the number of key nutrients we need each and every day.
In addition to this, eating soup has an extra benefit from a weight and fluid retention perspective; soups that have a base of leeks, onions and celery are also particularly high in the mineral potassium. As potassium helps to bind excess sodium, it helps to rid the body of excess fluid. As many of us carry fluid and regularly feel bloated thanks to a high-salt diet and a lack of activity, dropping as little as 500g of body weight after a few vegetable soups, even if it is just fluid can make us feel lighter and leaner instantly.
Soup can be a simple meal addition – a way to ensure that the family gets all of their vegetables and nutrition; a filling afternoon snack or an entire lunch or light evening meal, especially when beans, potato or sweet potato are the base providing heavier carbs as well as chicken, lean sausage or some mincemeat for protein. It is important to remember that rice, noodles, legumes and pasta do add considerable carbohydrates and calories to your soup and are likely to negate any weight loss benefits. On the other hand, broth-style, vegetable-based soups have virtually no calories and can be consumed relatively freely (but of course you do need to count any bread).
While bulking meals up with low calorie options such as vegetable soup on a regular basis is a great way to load up on nutrition in general, for those wanting to drop a couple of kilos quickly, replacing the evening meal with a vegetable based soup is a safe way to do it. The low energy content helps to keep your total calorie intake low, while the bulk prevents you from feeling hungry and deprived the way you would if you were eating very little on a regular diet, or using meal replacement shakes.
For those wanting a more intense regime, a vegetable soup can replace two meals a day for five to seven days without any negative side effects. Although much of the weight loss will be fluid, sometimes all we need to feel leaner and healthier is a flatter stomach and a kilo or two less on the scales.
Naturally, homemade soups are the best option. This way you can control the type and amounts of vegetables that you use to make your soup as well as choosing to use salt-reduced stocks and few other additives. Pre-made soups and packet soup mixes tend to be exceptionally high in sodium (salt) with the average packet soup containing a massive 800-1200mg of sodium or a third to half of your total daily sodium limit. Premade soups also tend to be relatively low in protein and high in carbohydrate thanks to their base being potato starch. If you must seek out a pre-made soup option, look for varieties that contain <20g total carbohydrates per serve and <800mg of sodium.
For delicious recipe ideas, visit Taste’s healthy soup recipe collection.
FAQs
Many soups contain whole foods that are full of fiber, which helps improve gut motility and regulate bowel health. Soup's warm, liquid consistency also helps stimulate your body's digestive tract, making it an excellent appetizer before eating heartier foods.
What happens to your body when you eat soup? ›
May induce weight loss: Though evidence for soup-based diets is lacking, some research has found that eating soup as part of a regular diet may have some health benefits, including weight loss. In a 2011 study, soup intake was associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and smaller waist circumference.
What soup has the most benefits? ›
Which soup is healthy for us? Chicken Vegetable Soup: Packed with lean protein and a variety of vegetables. Lentil Soup: High in fiber and plant-based protein. Miso Soup: Contains probiotics and is low in calories.
Is soup healthy to eat every day? ›
You can get more nutrients for fewer calories.
Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND believes soup has the potential to be a great source of nutrition. "If it is a broth-based soup that has lots of vegetables and beans, it's a fabulous way to take in fiber, antioxidant vitamins A and C, and potassium," she says.
Why is soup good for you at night? ›
Keeps You Satiated: Soup can help to keep you satiated, as it is a liquid-based meal that is typically high in water and fibre content. The water and fiber in soup can help to fill you up, making you feel less hungry. Additionally, soup is often low in calories, which can also help to keep you feeling full.
What is the best time to drink soup? ›
It should be preferred that soups should be taken as early as possible in the evenings, latest by 7:00pm, if at home and 8:00pm if having dinner out as it has salt content which can lead to water retention in the body if consumed too late.
Can too much soup be bad for you? ›
Other types of soup you should watch out for are instant and canned soups, which are often loaded with sodium. High sodium intakes are associated with high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart and kidney disease, and stroke ( 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ).
Why do I feel better after eating soup? ›
The steam from chicken noodle soup also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect. Heat relaxes the muscles, it soothes discomfort in sore throats, it dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow. When you're sick with a cold, white blood cells called neutrophils go straight to your throat, causing it to be inflamed.
Is soup actually good for you? ›
Usually, yes! Soup can be filling, low calorie, nutrient-dense, and supportive of your immune system and weight loss journey. Maximize the benefits by avoiding soups that are full of salt, sugar, or cream. Look for soups brimming with vegetables and sources of filling protein and healthy fat instead.
What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›
According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.
Broth-Based Soups With Veggies and Protein
When it comes to the healthiest soups you can eat, these are the gold standard, says registered dietitian Jessica Cording. Think chicken and vegetable, turkey and black bean chili, or lentil.
Which soup is best for belly fat? ›
5 Best Soups That Will Help To Burn Belly Fat
- Vegetable soup. Lean protein from chicken combined with a variety of vegetables can make a satisfying and low-calorie soup that can help you feel full and satisfied.
- Chicken and vegetable soup. ...
- Black bean soup. ...
- Lentil soup. ...
- Tomato 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.
Can you get all your nutrients from soup? ›
Answer: Some loss of vitamins is unavoidable in any food preparation, particularly in cooking. Soups made with vegetables can still be a good source of vitamins and other nutrients, provided they are properly prepared. Here are some tips to retain maximum vitamin content in soups when using vegetables.
Are vegetables in soup still healthy? ›
Boiled — When cooking vegetables over a long period of time in water, some nutrients will be lost. However, if the water will be consumed with the vegetables — as in the case of soups, stews or curries — many of the vitamins will be retained in the final dish.
What are the pros and cons of soup? ›
When made with nutrient-rich ingredients, such as vegetables and lean proteins, soup may provide numerous health benefits. However, you may want to watch out for cream-based, canned, and instant soups, as they tend to have a higher calorie and sodium content.
Is soup better than solid food? ›
Other research has shown that compared to solid foods like cheese, crackers, and cantaloupe, soup does a better job at curbing subsequent eating. Why soup? Scientists say texture is key. Although liquids empty from the stomach faster than solids, thicker liquids like soup are different.
Is soup good for your stomach? ›
One of the most effective natural remedies for an upset stomach is soup. The soup's warmth can help relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, while the liquid can help flush out any toxins and rehydrate the body. This is why chicken broth is so popular when you are not feeling well.
Why eat soup before a meal? ›
Several studies have found that eating soup as a preload can decrease hunger, increase fullness, and reduce subsequent test meal intake (Himaya & Louis-Sylvestre, 1998; Kissileff, Gruss, Thornton, & Jordan, 1984; Rolls, Bell, & Thorwart, 1999; Rolls, Fedoroff, Guthrie, & Laster, 1990).
