Some research suggests that starting a meal with soup may help you feel full enough to reduce the calories you consume for the rest of the meal, as soup will prevent you from overeating later. For this to work, the soup should be brothy or vegetarian, not a cheesy or creamy, high-calorie soup. You are more likely to succeed with this strategy if the foods you eat after soup are served in smaller portions than the usual amounts, because overeating is often not caused by hunger but rather by eating large amounts of food.
You can also use soup as a weight loss aid by making soup your complete meal. Make sure to include legumes, chicken, fish or other lean proteins with a group of low-calorie vegetables to make the meal full of nutrients. You can also include whole grains such as brown rice, oats or whole wheat pasta.
For overall health, keep in mind that commercial soups can be very high in sodium, often ranging from 500 to 900 milligrams per 1-cup serving. This represents a large amount of sodium in just one food, as the suggested maximum is 1,500 to 2,300 mg of sodium for an entire day. The low-sodium versions are lower than most popular products on the market, but they often contain at least 400 to 600 mg per cup, and they are certainly not low in sodium.
Can soup accelerate weight loss?
Aside from the fact that soup is a popular choice for weight watchers as it contains ingredients rich in important nutrients including antioxidants, proteins and vitamins and is low in carbohydrates, it is also very hydrating, as the balance between nutrients and a large amount of water is one of the key factors for weight loss. Well, there is also a rich fiber content found in soup preparation options, which helps digestion and avoids stomach problems, and most importantly, helps you feel full for a longer period.
You can also add lean meat and fish to soup, as they are sources that help in losing fat, such as chicken breasts and fish, to make your meals more beneficial.
Benefits of soup for weight loss?
Studies have shown that people who eat soup tend to weigh less because eating large, low-calorie foods, such as soup, increases your feeling of satisfaction. Regardless of the weight loss plan you follow, soup is a great addition.
Learn about the top 5 benefits of soup:
- Soup gives a feeling of satiety and fullness:
Because of its high water content, soup is low in “calories,” meaning it is lower in calories than other foods of the same weight. Choosing low-energy foods can also help you reduce calories while maintaining satisfaction and fullness.
When soup is combined with low-calorie meals, it is able to reduce calorie intake and enable weight loss. Soups are also great snacks or pre-meal staples that can prevent you from eating unhealthy snacks and overeating during the meal, both of which are known weight gain factors.
Soup slows down eating and engages your senses, as eating soup takes time, allowing your brain to receive signals of satiety.
- Soup is full of nutrients:
Healthy soups are often full of vegetables, legumes, and lean protein. You will find it easier to consume more vitamins and minerals by drinking soup instead of eating a lot of salad.
- The soup has a delicious and varied taste:
With many types of soup, you can eat it every day and you will never get bored, as soup fits with almost all types of foods and diet plans, and it can be made in more than one way.
- Higher satiety than other drinks
Unlike other drinks, soups increase satiety and reduce hunger due to the ingredients used in their preparation. As a result, a person is likely to eat smaller amounts of food at a subsequent meal.
- Soup has a low glycemic index
Soups that have a low glycemic index, for example, mixed vegetable soup, lentil or chicken soup, and mushroom soup, are great for you if you want to lose weight.
Since these soups are low in calories and high in satiation, they prevent weight gain and help manage conditions such as diabetes.
- References:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/soup-diet-review#types
- https://www.mynetdiary.com/eat-soup-to-lose-weight.html
- https://www.fitterfly.com/blog/are-soups-good-for-weight-loss/