Five Tips for Healthy Soup

5 Tips to Make Your Soup Even Healthier

Soup is an excellent way to get a nutritious, low calorie meal. The healthiest soups are made at home with simple ingredients and the next best are dry soup mixes. Canned soups often have excess sodium and ingredients only a scientist can pronounce. With a few simple tweaks, you can turn your soup into a nutrient-packed meal. Follow the steps below to make your own healthy soup!

Use low-sodium broth or vegetable stock to reduce the amount of sodium in the soup.
Add a variety of vegetables for extra fiber and vitamins.
Choose lean cuts of meat for a healthier option.
Use a slow cooker or pressure cooker to maximize the flavor of the ingredients and reduce the need for added fats.
Add a sprinkle of herbs and spices to enhance the flavor without adding extra calories or fat.

Use low-sodium broth or vegetable stock

You can easily reduce the amount of sodium in your soup by using low-sodium broth or vegetable stock instead of regular stock. This is a great way to reduce sodium without sacrificing the flavor of the soup. For even more flavor, you can also consider adding spices and herbs like garlic, thyme, and oregano to enhance the flavor without adding any extra salt. Rill foods dehydrated stocks are low in sodium and are an excellent addition to your panty.

Follow this link to find five low-sodium soup mixes by Rill Foods.

Add a variety of vegetables

Adding vegetables to your soup is an excellent way to boost the fiber and vitamin content of your meal. You could consider adding root vegetables like carrots or potatoes, leafy greens like kale or spinach, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower, and legumes like lentils or beans. Each of these options will add a unique flavor and texture to your soup, and provide extra nutrition. Enjoy!

If you want to read more about our favorite vegetables to add to soup, read this blog “The Best Vegetables to add to Soup”.

Choose lean cuts of meat

Lean cuts of meat are a great option for a healthier soup. Look for leaner options like chicken breasts, turkey, pork tenderloin, and extra-lean ground beef. Be sure to trim off any excess fat before adding any meat to your soup. Adding some extra vegetables to your soup will also help to create a balanced and nutritious meal!

Here is a handy table that we found from BeefLovingTexans.com that shows which cuts of meat are the leanest.

Use a slow cooker or pressure cooker

To maximize the flavor of the ingredients in a soup with a slow cooker or pressure cooker, begin by sautéing the vegetables and aromatics in a skillet with a small amount of oil. This will help to develop the flavor of the vegetables and bring out the natural sweetness. Once the vegetables and aromatics have cooked, add them to the slow cooker or pressure cooker along with the remaining ingredients. Slow cookers require more liquid than pressure cookers, so be sure to adjust the amount of broth accordingly. For soups cooked in a slow cooker, set the temperature to low and cook for several hours. For soups cooked in a pressure cooker, bring the ingredients to pressure and cook for the recommended time. The longer the soup cooks, the more flavor it will have. For added flavor, you can add herbs, spices, and other flavorings to the soup. To reduce the need for added fats, use lean proteins such as chicken or turkey and add healthy fats like avocado or olive oil at the end of cooking.

Add a sprinkle of herbs and spices

Adding herbs and spices to soup is a great way to enhance the flavor without adding extra calories or sodium. Some of my favorite spices to add to soups are cumin, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, oregano, basil, and turmeric. These spices will not only add flavor to your soup, but they are also full of antioxidants and other health benefits. I also like to add freshly grated ginger or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a bit of extra heat. Experiment with different spices to find the perfect combination that you enjoy! We love this article that describes what different herbs taste like.