Why Your "Healthy" Soup Is Unhealthy

Why Your “Healthy” Soup Is Unhealthy

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.

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.