Have your Ugg boots and flannelette sheets come out of hibernation yet? Mine have recently emerged, and so has my craving for heart-warming soups. Not only can soup satisfy your appetite and warm you to the core - it can also help to prevent winter weight gain.
Soups are a great way to reduce the kilojoule content of your diet while at the same time helping to boost your vegetable intake. And you don’t need to live on cabbage soup for 7 days to benefit. Following are four fabulous tips to bring out the best slimming qualities in soup.
- Base it on broth – Clear soups are a clear winner when it comes to maximising the weight loss potential of soup. Steer clear of soups that include thickened cream or full fat milk as an ingredient. Creamed corn or skim milk can still add a creamy texture at a fraction of the kilojoules.
- Include some protein – The weight loss credentials of protein are well established. It’s a powerful appetite suppressant and it also helps to minimise muscle loss as you lose weight. Look to add shredded chicken, beef, lamb, skim milk and legumes to bump up the protein content of your soup.
- Focus on fibrous vegetables – While starchy vegetables such as potato, pumpkin and corn are all well and good, there are many times denser in kilojoules compared to fibrous vegetables. Load up your soups with fibrous vegetables such as onion, garlic, celery, capsicum, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato and spinach.
- Think big – Make a big batch next time you whip up a broth, and freeze some in suitable portions for the weeks ahead. You’ll then have a quick, healthy and easy meal on hand next time you’re busy and tired and un-inspired to cook.
Do you enjoy soups during the colder months? What’s your favourite healthy soup? Have you ever tried a soup diet?