Soup’s on!

As the leaves begin to fall, the sun drops lower in the sky, and the days become chilly, isn’t it the perfect time to enjoy some soup?

Soup is delicious!

There is no one recipe for soup. You can include all of your favorite ingredients (as well as try some new ones). Stews and soups are mainstays of cultural cuisines from all over the world. Whether a fragrant Thai Tom Yum soup, hearty New England Clam chowder, rich African okra or peanut soup, or spicy Mexican pozole for a few examples, soup is a celebration of international flavor and culture and a great way to learn about different cuisines and customs. Making a soup can also be a great way to use leftovers such as meats, vegetables, and sauces.

Soup is nutritious!

With homemade soup, you are in full control of the ingredients. Soup is a great way to enjoy whole foods in their natural state and skip the processed foods, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. It is easy to incorporate many superfoods such as kale, ginger, turmeric, garlic, okra, sweet potatoes, legumes, spices, and whole grains and harness their tremendous nutritional and medicinal benefits. You can also garnish your soup with many other amazing healthy ingredients such as avocado, chopped nuts, or fresh herbs. 

Soup is satisfying!

Soup is high in water content and typically also in protein and fiber which fill the stomach and leave you feeling satisfied for longer periods. Soup tends to be less energy-dense than many other foods and provides fullness with less consumed calories. (Obviously will depend on the ingredients though). We also tend to eat soup somewhat slower than other foods which allows the signals of fullness to reach the brain sooner before you have consumed excess calories. 

Tips for delicious and healthy soups:

• Use low sodium and low fat stocks and broths (or better yet make your own stock). Use seasonal and organic ingredients when available.
• Brighten it up by adding citrus such as lime or lemon. Be creative!
• Adding a small bit of Parmesan cheese rind while simmering imparts beautiful flavor and texture. 
• Go big on the vegetables and lower on the meats and saturated fat ingredients. (Keeps the calories down and maximizes the fiber and nutrition). 
• Mix it up! For something different, try an immersion blender to mix the ingredients (such as with cauliflower or butternut squash soup) and enjoy a creamy texture without the cream or calories. 
• Make a large pot! You can then refrigerate and freeze additional portions to enjoy at a later time without repeating all the work. 
• Savor it! Grab your favorite spoon and enjoy! Sip it slowly, enjoying the beautiful fragrance, flavors, colors, and textures of all the ingredients. Feel the warmth to your body and soul. Soup promotes mindful eating at its finest. 

Add some homemade soup to your diet this fall and winter. Its a “soup-er“ way to promote healthier eating. Your body will thank you!