December 8, 2023 by Pranay David
If you are trying to lose weight, adding soup to your diet is a great option. And yes, you can make your soup as healthy as possible by adding nutritious vegetables, beans, and grain that keep your hunger pangs in control.
Are Soups a Good Way to Lose Weight?
According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, drinking clear and broth-based soups keeps the weight in control.
Watery soups that low in calories and contain fiber which keeps the stomach satiated for a long period of time are a healthy weight loss option. Soups that have cheese, oil, cream, or flour, must be totally avoided as they are high in calories. Also, skip bread, croutons, and crackers that are offered as accompaniments with soup.
A dieting regime could make your body deficient in minerals. Healthy soups provide adequate mineral content to the body which is essential for life processes. Also, soups are a much better substitute for a cup of hot chocolate/coffee which are loaded with sugar and calories.
1. Cabbage Soup
Cabbage soups are healthy and can drastically limit your calorie intake. You can have large amounts of this soup and still feel good about eating!
Ingredients:
- 2 onions
- 2 carrots
- 1 head of cabbage
- 2 green peppers
- 2 cups of tomatoes
- I pack of mushrooms
- 1 bunch celery
- Salt and pepper, garlic cloves, Italian seasoning(optional)
- 6-8 cups of water/vegetable stock
Process:
- Chop all vegetables and keep aside. In a pan, heat a very small amount of oil and sauté the onions.
- Add the vegetables and the water or vegetable stock.
- Add all seasonings and simmer for a while.
- Once it comes to boil, reduce the flame and cook till vegetables are tender, about half an hour.
Nutritional Benefits:
- Cabbage accelerates weight loss due to its low-calorie properties.
- The fiber-rich vegetables like carrots control your hunger pangs.
- The peppers contain fat-burning components that further accelerate the metabolism.
[ Read:Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help You Lose Weight ]
2. Chicken Soup
Tasty, wholesome yet fat-reducing, a soup for all chicken lovers.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken
- 4 carrots halved
- 1 large onion halved
- Water
- Salt and pepper
- 1 bunch celery
Process:
- Put all the ingredients in a pot and simmer till the chicken is tender.
- Now pick the meat off the bones and blend the rest of the soup well.
- Chop and add back the meat pieces. Simmer the soup for another 5 minutes and it’s ready.
Nutritional Benefits: This is a high protein soup that helps in building lean muscle mass during weight loss.
[ Read: Cinnamon for Weight Loss ]
3. Mushroom and Kidney Bean Soup
Mushrooms are a healthy filler and make a fantastic combination with kidney beans in soups and broths.
Ingredients:
- olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 large red or green pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 large zucchini or yellow squash, chopped
- 8 oz. mushrooms, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 1 bottle vegetable co*cktail juice
- 1 can (15 oz.) black kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (14 oz.) crushed tomatoes
- 1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
- 1 Tbs. ground cumin
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro and parsley leaves for garnish.
Process:
- Sauté the onions in olive oil and add all the other ingredients.
- Add some water if you want a thin soup and simmer the soup for a while till vegetables are tender.
- Add the cilantro and parsley.
Nutritional Benefits: The mushrooms and the vegetables are filling and also add nutrients to your diet, revving up your metabolic rates and flushing out fats speedily from the body.
[ Read: Cumin For Weight Loss ]
4. Mixed Vegetable Soup
Vegetables and more vegetables, flush out the fat and lose weight fast!
Ingredients:
- Carrots, beans, onions, spinach, peppers, broccoli, and more fiber-rich vegetables finely chopped.
- Vegetable stock or water
- Seasonings for taste
Process:
- Put all vegetables in a pot, add the stock/water. Simmer till done
Nutritional Benefits:
The low-calorie healthy vegetables add all the nutrition to your diet, detox the body, boost the metabolism, and trigger weight loss.
[ Read:Is Tumeric Good for Weight Loss ]
5. Broccoli Soup
A filling, tasty, and fat-burning soup!
Ingredients:
- One head broccoli, finely chopped
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Salt and seasonings for taste
- Few cloves chopped garlic and chopped onion
- 1 tsp ginger and chili paste
Process:
- Heat the olive oil in a pot and sauté the chopped garlic, onion, and ginger-chili paste.
- Add the chopped broccoli and sauté for a minute.
- Add two-three cups water and allow to simmer till the broccoli is tender.
- Add the salt and seasonings and serve hot.
Nutritional Benefits: Broccoli is regarded as a super food as it is rich in fiber, aids digestion, controls blood sugar levels, and curbs food cravings.
[ Read: Flax Seeds for Weight Loss ]
6. Butternut Squash Soup
This popular thanksgiving soup also helps in weight loss!
Ingredients:
- 1 medium-sized butternut squash, peeled and cut
- Carrot, apple, and onion
- Salt, sage, garlic, black pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, and nutmeg
- Vegetable stock
Process:
- Add all ingredients in a stockpot and cook till it simmers.
- Now reduce the flame and boil for 20 minutes.
- Now puree the soup in a blender, and serve hot.
Nutritional Benefits:
- Butternut squash soup is your pick if you want to have a healthy and wholesome soup which is filling and provides adequate nutrition that maintains your metabolic rate.
7. French Onion Soup
A healthy twist to the classic recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 small yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups sliced mixed vegetables
- 6 crushed garlic cloves
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup dry buckwheat
- 4 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 3 cups julienned kale
- 1/3 cup red wine
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil
- fresh lemon juice and herbs to garnish
Process:
- sauté the onion, garlic, ginger and kale.
- Add other ingredients along with wine, cover with vegetable stock and simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes.
- Squeeze lemon juice at the end.
Nutritional Benefits:
- All the ingredients in the onion soup are excellent for revving up the metabolism and aid in shedding excess weight.
If you are trying to lose those extra pounds, you can pick any of the above soups that compliment your taste buds.
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