We often associate warm bowls of soup, stew, and chili with winter. And everyone knows chicken noodle soup is considered the best food for a cold. Besides just sounding appetizing, It turns out these bowls of goodness can be great nutritious options to include in your diet. Here is why:
Hydration: the broth in soup provides hydrating fluid and electrolytes. In the winter time, many people do not drink enough water because they a) sweat less b) do not want to drink cold liquids. But that does not mean you need less water! By consuming extra fluids in soup, you can make up for some of that lost hydration.
Veggies: vegetables can be one of the hardest foods to get adequately in your diet. Particularly during colder weather, crisp, cold veggies and salads may not sound appetizing. But tons of vegetables can be added to soup and cooked down, making them easier to eat. Your may even enjoy the flavors more this way. The flavor base of many soups is called "mirepoix", which is made from finely diced carrots, onions, and celery. That's three vegetables right there!
Protein: many soups contain different forms of animal protein, such as chicken, beef, and pork, as well as whole grains like barley, rice, corn, and lentils. These are all great sources of protein. Many cultures have delicious soup options as well that feature different protein elements, such as the hominy and pork in pozole and tofu in vegetarian pho.
Many canned soups can contain high amounts of sodium. So look for "reduced or low sodium" options if that is a concern. Alternately consider making your own soups at home with fresh herbs for flavoring. Here are a few recipes to try out:
