Soups are the ultimate comfort food, they are warm, tasty and filling. But, are they healthy? Soups are not only sought out on a cold day, but many people also turn to them as quick and easy food when they are trying to lose weight. What is often overlooked, is the fact that soups can contain ingredients that are unhealthy, some we may think are healthy and others we are not even aware of. Here are some ingredients that are making your soups unhealthy, per the Eat This, Not That!
1. Heavy Cream
Cream-based soups, such as chowders and bisques, are loaded with calories and saturated fats that make them unhealthy. Replacing the heavy cream with vegetable or chicken broth is a healthier option.
2. Added Sugar
Sugar is a common ingredient in French onion and tomato soups. Added sugars are unhealthy when over consumed. Make an effort to keep these added sugars out of your soups and out of your body. A CDC article states that Americans should keep their intake of added sugars less than 10% of the total daily calories, but instead about 14% of their total daily calories are being taken up from added sugars.
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3. Beef Broth
People choose beef broth for their soups in order to achieve the meaty flavor. But, what many do not realize is that it is laced with caramel coloring. This coloring is a carcinogenic compound. One may look to using organic broth to keep the compound out of your soup and body.
4. Ground Beef
When it comes to the additions you put in your soup, many turn to meats. In soups like chili, people often choose ground beef. However, ground beef is a fatty meat. The consumption of fatty ground beef can lead to belly fat. Fatty ground beef can be replaced by lean beef to keep your metabolism in control.
5. Sodium Broths
When choosing a broth for a soup, be sure to pay attention the sodium levels. Often times soups use broths that are high in sodium. These increased levels of sodium can increase blood pressure, water retention and cause bloating. A CDC article states that one of the top ten sources of sodium is soups.
6. Cheese
Cheese may seem like a minute addition to soup, especially when it is sprinkled on top. But, when you put into account its addition with fat and salts, the three are bound for an unhealthy disaster. Cheese based soups, such as broccoli cheddar, will stack up in calories. Many people believe that since there is broccoli-it is healthy. However, when drowned in cheese, the nutrients are outweighed by the calories.
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7. The Bread Additions
A popular side item that is often paired with soups is bread. Whether it is a piece of bread roll or cornbread, we eat it. The calories that we consume from these breads can quickly stack up.
In order to make your soups healthy, you do not need to get rid of these delicious ingredients completely. Instead, search for healthier alternatives that will still give your soup flavor.
5 Healthy Soups To Try This Winter
Who doesn’t love a good soup in the middle of the fall or winter? Take it up a notch and let it satisfy more than just your taste buds. Make it healthy with these 5 healthy winter soup recipes!
1. Tomato Basil Soup
Naturally, tomatoes are high in the antioxidant, lycopene, which is a carotenoid that could help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. Use fresh summer tomatoes and basil to make this healthy tomato basil soup extra flavorful without having to use salt.
