08 Sep Is Soup Good For Weight Loss?
We’re officially entering soup season. Few things beats a warm bowl of soup for a quick and hearty meal, but how healthy is soup? And is soup a good choice if you’re trying to lose weight? We have scoured the shelves to bring you our favourite healthy soups for supporting weight loss, as well as answering your questions around soup and weight loss.
If you want to achieve and maintain your ideal weight while still maintaining a varied and interesting diet, we can help. We are a team of qualified, experienced nutritionists who specialise in weight loss. Schedule your complimentary call today to find out how we can help you.
IS SOUP GOOD FOR YOU?
Yes, soup can be incredibly nutritious, providing a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. However, not all soups are created equal. Some soups are packed with vegetables, offering a nutrient dense base upon which to build a complete meal. However, other soups are more processed and made with undesirable additives, making them a less healthy choice.
The liquid content in soup supports good hydration, which is essential for many aspects of health. The high water content in soup, combined with fibre if your soup contains plenty of vegetables, can help you to feel full and satisfied after eating, provided you pair it with protein.
SHOULD YOU EAT SOUP WHILE YOU’RE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT?
Incorporating soup into your diet can be an effective strategy when trying to lose weight. Research has shown that starting a meal with soup can increase satiety and reduce overall calorie intake during the meal. This effect is particularly pronounced with broth-based soups, which are typically lower in calories than cream-based alternatives.
Another study showed that individuals who included soup in their diet had a lower risk of being overweight or obese.
Soup can also be an excellent way to increase your vegetable intake, which is associated with better weight management and overall health. The combination of liquids and solids in soup can slow digestion, helping you feel full for longer periods and potentially reducing snacking between meals.
WHAT TYPES OF SOUP ARE GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Some excellent choices include vegetable soups, which are high in fibre and nutrients and low in calories. Broth-based soups are also low in calories but often nutrient-dense and offer additional health benefits, particularly bone broths. Lentil or bean-based soups can be high in fibre, promoting fullness. Chicken or turkey soups are high in lean protein sources that support satiety. Miso soup is low in calories and rich in probiotics that support gut health.
AND WHICH SOUPS SHOULD YOU AVOID?
Some soup varieties are less beneficial due to their high calorie and fat content. Soups to limit or avoid when trying to lose weight include cream-based soups which are often high in calories and saturated fats. Similarly, cheese-heavy soups can be calorie-dense and high in saturated fats. Soups with added sugars such as canned or pre-made soups may contain unnecessary added sugars. Soups containing ultra-processed meats like sausages may be best avoided, too.
5 HEALTHY SOUPS FOR WEIGHT LOSS TO BUY NOW
Not all soups are created equal; the quality of shop-bought soups can vary significantly. These soup brands are based on whole food ingredients and are the healthiest we’ve found. It’s worth bearing in mind that most soups are based on vegetables and provide little in the way of protein or healthy fat. This can be easily rectified with the addition of some olive oil and a source of protein. Try using leftover roast organic meat or adding in some chunks of marinated tempeh. A couple of poached organic eggs dropped into a green soup can also work well.
DAYLESFORD
Made on their own farm using organic produce. Daylesford offer a wide range of soups including three based on bone broth, slow-cooked to help release collagen.
Our favourite: 12 Hour Chicken Bone Broth with Ginger and Vegetables
Nutrition per 100ml: 26 cals, 0.8g fat, 1.3g carbs (of which 1.3g sugar), 0.6g fibre, 2.6g protein.
Buy them here: Daylesford Soups
SOUPOLOGIE
Soupologie make a range of super-healthy soups. Their 5-A-Day range provide you with five servings of vegetables per pot. Arguably the easiest way to get a head start on your daily veg intake.
Our favourite: Turmeric, Carrot and Coconut
Nutrition per 100ml: 43 cals, 2.9g fat, 3g carbs (of which 2g sugar), 1.1g fibre, 0.7g protein.
Buy them here: Soupologie Soups
RE:NOURISH
If you’re searching for healthy soups for weight loss, RE:NOURISH are a great option. A range of healthy soups in a convenient heatable bottle: RE:NOURISH offer six different soups designed to offer benefits from supporting immunity and digestive health to promoting calm.
Our favourite: Kale, Spinach & Turmeric Soup
Nutrition per 100ml: 31 cals, 1.4g fat, 3g carbs (of which 1.5g sugar), 1.2g fibre, 1g protein.
Buy them here: RE:NOURISH Soups
PRESS
This juice company have launched a range of tasty, healthy soups. PRESS’s Petit Pois, Pea & Fresh Mint Protein Soup is higher in protein than many other vegetable soups containing 3.3g per 100g soup. That said, we’d still recommend topping up the protein content if you’re planning to have this soup as a main meal. Order direct from their website and throw a couple of green juices into your order too.
Our favourite: Petit Pois, Pea & Fresh Mint Protein Soup
Nutrition per 100ml: 43 cals, 1.3g fat, 4.5g carbs (of which 1.5g sugar), 2.2g fibre, 3.3g protein.
Buy them here: PRESS Soups
BAY’S KITCHEN
Bay’s kitchen started by owner Bay after she was diagnosed with IBS and advised to follow a low FODMAP diet. Struggling to find convenient low FODMAP foods, Bay made her own soups and from this her company was born. The result is three delicious, healthy soups which are suitable for those following a low FODMAP diet.
Our favourite: Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup
Nutrition per 100ml: 24 cals, 0.1g fat, 4.8g carbs (of which 2.7g sugar), 1g fibre, 0.8g protein.
Buy them here: Bay’s Kitchen Soups
THE SOUP & SHAKE DIET
Minimally processed soups based on whole foods like those we’ve shared above can support weight loss as part of a healthy, balanced diet. So called ‘soup and shake diets’ have been endorsed by the government as solution to tackling the UK’s obesity crisis. Here is our take on the soup and shake diet.
WORK WITH US
We are a team of qualified nutritionists who specialise in weight loss. If you’re looking to lose weight, we can help you overcome your weight challenges, reach your desired weight and maintain it long term. Book yourself in for a complimentary 25 mintue call or contact us and a member of our team will be in touch soon. We can talk through your challenges and explore whether one of our Intelligent Weight Loss programmes is right for you.
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