Healthy Cold Weather Soups

This post is inspired by some hot and sour soup I made recently and which has been touted as being great for fighting colds!

From: https://fitist.com/4HealthyColdWeatherSoups



Photo credit: FLICKR/Whitneyinchicago

With temperatures dipping into the single digits in many parts of the country, there’s no better meal to help you warm up than a big pot of steaming hot soup. But the health benefits of this one-pot meal go far beyond the comforting warmth—if you choose the right key ingredients, your dinner can be packed with fiber and key nutrients, and low on fat. Try one of these 4 hearty soups tonight.

1. Lentil Soup
Lentils are loaded with fiber, folate, iron, protein, and other essential vitamins and minerals. They contain more B vitamins than any other unfortified plant food. This protects against coronary artery disease, and when coupled with vitamin B6, can help reduce women's risk of developing breast cancer. 
Try this: This lentil soup recipe requires minimal chopping and can be ready in a little more than an hour.

2. Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup is simple meal you can make any night of the week because the peas are so thin you don't need to soak them over night. A cup of split pea soup provides about 5 grams of dietary fiber, which helps to lower cholesterol and also helps with digestion. Another benefit of a high-fiber diet is it promotes blood sugar control and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. 
Try this: This split pea soup recipe is vegetarian, so skip the ham bone and load up on fresh carrots and celery for a heart-healthy meal for the whole family.  

3. Black Bean Soup
Black beans are high in fiber, folate, protein and antioxidants, along with other vitamins and minerals. Also, black beans make a complete protein when paired with brown rice, making this power food a great addition to a vegetarian diet. 
Try this: This quick and easy black bean recipe includes brown rice, diced tomatoes, and a half-cup of salsa to give it a little kick.

4. Kale Soup
Kale is one of the most nutritious vegetables you could pick up at the grocery store, and makes a tasty addition to any vegetable soup. Kale is an excellent source of beta-carotene, one of the antioxidants believed to fight against cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases. 
Try this: This kale, white bean and quinoa soup is packed with protein and makes for a healthy weekday meal. Just make sure you give it time to cook—unlike spinach or other greens, kale can take 10 to 15 minutes to become tender.