Health Benefits Of Various Soups

What you put into your soup is what you get out, so use only the freshest, heartiest vegetables, herbs and spices and choose foods that are in season and organic wherever possible. 

Lamb And Lentil Soup

Legumes, like lentils and chickpeas are a rich source of fiber, particularly soluble fiber. They also have a good amount of low glycemic carbohydrate making this soup good for sustained energy. The lamb provides some protein. Onion and tomato are both good antioxidant sources.

Beetroot Soup

Beetroot is a great detoxifier of the digestive system. Liver and kidneys. If you eat a lot of beetroot you might even notice that your stools and urine turn a reddish color. It is a rich source of antioxidants and phytochemicals. This soup is high in carbohydrate energy (from carrots, potato and beetroot) and should be served with a protein rich food to balance out the meal.

Pumpkin And Coconut Soup

Pumpkin is a source of carbohydrate energy as well as the antioxidant beta-carotene, which also helps boost the immune system. Garlic further adds to the immune boosting properties of this soup. Coconut milk provides a good source of easily digestible fat and a host of other nutrients.

Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower is one of the cruciferous vegetables, which have amazing health giving properties, especially when it comes to cancer prevention. It is recommenced that we eat a cup a day at least of either cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage or brussel sprouts for optimum health.

Green Soup

This soup is virtually calorie free and is great for calorie controlled eating plans. Green are a rick source of many nutrients, including vitamin C and the minerals magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, iron and calcium.

Tomato Soup

Benefits. Tomatoes are a rich source of a special anti-cancer compound called lycopene. Lycopene is better absorbed when cooked and combined with oil, as in this recipe. Tomato is also a good source of vitamin C and many minerals including potassium and magnesium.

Choosing A Soup Stock

Most commercial soup stocks contain some unhealthy ingredients. They are very high in sodium for one thing, which can raise blood pressure in salt sensitive people. Most stocks also contain a hefty dose of the flavor enhancer MSG (monosodium glutamate), which acts in a similar way to sodium and is also linked to sensitivities in some people.

See Also: Winter Superfoods For Boosting Your Immunity

There are “healthier” stocks on the market, which are low sodium, MSG and trans fat free. Powdered or liquid stocks are generally a better choice as they don’t need the extra fat added to them to help them form into a square.