When you think of healthy food, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a piece of fruit or big leafy greens. But what about soup? New research finds that it’s a smart choice. According to the study, people who eat more soup tend to have a lower body weight, have a slimmer waistline, and eat fewer total calories than non-soup eaters. One reason is that many soups are packed full of water and fiber, two things that help you feel fuller with fewer calories. And soups tend to include a hefty portion of veggies that are rich in vitamins and minerals. In fact, when you make soup, you can swap 2 ounces of meat or 1 cup of noodles with 1 cup of chopped veggies to make it even healthier.
Soup can be a money-saver, too. Simple recipes for veggie soup can be made for about 50 cents a serving using items you probably already have on hand. So go ahead and whip up a hearty batch of healthy soup. Here’s a simple slow-cooker recipe to inspire you today:
- 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 14½ oz. can low-sodium Mexican stewed tomatoes, undrained
- 14½ oz. can low-sodium diced tomatoes, undrained
- 11 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1 small green pepper, sliced
- 4 ribs celery, diced
- 3 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for five to six hours.
Serves 8. Per serving: Calories 120, Calories from Fat 15, Total Fat 2g, Saturated Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 480mg, Total Carbohydrate 23g, Dietary Fiber 7g, Sugars 7g, Protein 6g
Article and Recipe from the StayWell Company, LLC