Sheela Krishnaswamy
There’s nothing like a bowl of hot soup to drive the chill away. And if you choose a healthy way to cook your soup, it can also serve as a nourishing meal. Adding vegetables, meats or starchy foods to soups can provide you with essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fat and/or fibre, depending on the kind of ingredients you use. Clear, thin and watery soups inject a good deal of hydration into the body, while soups thickened with cream, sauce or starch can be more filling or heavy. Vegetarian soups can be a wholesome treat, especially when packed with a lot of vegetables. It’s also a great way to get fussy children to eat more vegetables. Chicken soup is famous for being ‘grandma’s home remedy’ and is most beneficial for those with a stuffy nose or sore throat.
When had at the start of a meal, vegetable soups, with or without lentils, can partially fill your stomach and reduce over-eating. This, in turn, helps with weight management. Also, a fibre-rich soup loaded with vegetables and a sufficient fluid content can aid smooth bowel movements. Clear soups can be good for the elderly and those recovering from illnesses.
Soups can also serve as a healthy substitute for harmful evening snacks. So cut down on the junk food and take the safer ‘soup route’, which can also become a complete meal as it provides a good balance of ingredients with nutrition.
Dried soups are popular due to the convenience. They can be reconstituted and are helpful while travelling. However, it’s important to choose low sodium and fat-free options when it comes to packaged soups.
