Eating soup regularly as part of a balanced meal is a great way to start off a healthy diet plan. If prepared healthily using low-fat, high-fiber and preferably organic ingredients, it can even take the place of an entire meal! In fact, a diet was invented that revolves around the consumption of cabbage soup every day for seven days. Each day would call for the consumption of a certain food group plus as much cabbage soup as you wish. This became quite popular as it promised the dieter ten pounds shed in just one week.

If cabbage is not your favorite and you want more variety, take your favorite chowder, goulash and sukiyaki and transform it to healthier dishes. Consider using leaner cuts of meat; opting for low-sodium broth (or better yet make it yourself); not using monosodium glutamate and adding organic vegetables, fresh herbs and spices.

French onion soup uses a very flavorful beef broth base with a crusty cheese topping. Asian hot and sour soup though containing a lot of vegetables also has a considerable amount of meats like liver and dried sausages. Japanese sukiyaki has thinly sliced fatty beef with tofu, mushrooms and vegetables in a sweet soya base. Needless to say, these dishes can go overboard with the fat, sodium and cholesterol content. Consider this every time you make your own at home.

Unless you are vegetarian or vegan, by all means incorporate reasonable amounts of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy to your soup to increase protein as well as provide substance, flavor and texture. Go for low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-carb, high-fiber, high-protein ingredients.

Incorporate complex carbohydrates from vegetables to provide natural roughage promoting gastro-intestinal health. Do not overcook your vegetables and add them last just before serving to preserve nutrients and texture.

Feeling adventurous? Try preparing raw vegan soups using dark leafy greens, root crops and other wholesome ingredients. Make sure you use organic ingredients as you will not be cooking them. Raw soups are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants not to mention live enzymes which are key elements to good health.

Lastly, consider some simple replacements: using low fat milk, soy or nutmilks instead of cream; lean meat cuts or vegemeat instead of processed, high sodium meat products like sausages; sea salt instead of iodized.

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Citrus Fruit Soup and Orange Crisps
Carrot and Pea Soup Recipe