Feel Super With Souping!

As nearly 40% of Americans are classed as obese, any new approach to easy, healthy and budget food is worth a second look. From dietitians to celebrities (Gwyneth Paltrow is apparently a fan), the hot new way towards your five a day is souping. Usually based on vegetable broths, avoiding cream, milk, and carbohydrates, souping can be a nourishing way to give your body lots of essential nutrients. Whether you’re getting creative with lentils, tucking into a bowl of Trader Joe’s Beef Barley Soup with Veggies, or using up leftovers, try a simple soup to feel fuller and healthier.

Souping is currently being celebrated as the next big thing in weight loss, largely because it reduces your carbohydrate intake and increases your vegetable count. Soup cleanses are popular as people restrict themselves to soup for a few days at a time. However, for the long term, it is still generally agreed that a balanced and varied diet across all food groups is the ideal. You may remember that juicing was previously a major health trend. How do they compare? Those who prefer the health benefits of souping point out that soups are generally lower in sugar and higher in fiber, which is important for a healthy digestive system. For those who are concerned about salt content, you could even try our reduced sodium savory broths.

Low effort, low cost, satisfying results

Perhaps the most important thing about souping is the fact that with relatively little effort, you can nourish yourself and even the fussiest members of your family with fresh produce. Enjoy seasonal varieties and colorful creations; not only will they cost less and look appetizing but there is a whole range of health benefits to eating a rainbow of delicious food. Bulking out a soup with our frozen vegetables, lentil stew or other pulses will also leave you feeling fuller for longer, which can really help if you’re on a budget. There is also something very comforting and restorative about a simple bowl of soup, which is important at a time when kids, teens, and adults are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety, according to US Mental Health organizations.

While going soup-only may not be for everyone, and certainly isn’t the ideal for the long run, the practice of souping is bursting with benefits. As an easy, affordable way to load up on veggies, it’s certainly worth including within your weekly food plan, especially if you’re on a budget. It’s also lower in sugar than the juicing option and contains the necessary fiber our bodies need. Check out Trader Joe’s cupboard staples and enjoy getting creative in the kitchen. This colorful, vitamin-rich soul food will have you feeling super in no time.