Go for fresh soup over canned soup for winter comfort! Here’s why

Go for fresh soup over canned soup in winter as it not just offers health benefits, but also comforts you from the chill.
Canned soup
Avoid canned soup, if possible! Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Natalia Ningthoujam Published: 4 Jan 2023, 17:55 pm IST
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Soups are all about warmth and comfort, which is why they are part of the winter must-have list. On a winter night, a bowl of your favourite soup will keep you toasty warm from the inside out. It doesn’t take long to prepare a bowl of soup at home and the ingredients won’t burn a hole in your pocket. You may assemble different elements in soup, which are nutritious, for a fulfilling meal or a snack. But not all the soup have nutrients required by your body, especially canned soups. There are reasons why you should go for a homemade soup rather a canned soup. Find out what makes canned soup an unhealthy option.

Health Shots reached out to Neha Pathania, senior dietitian, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram, to know more about canned soup and how they affect your health. But first, know what makes soups a winter must-have.

What are the benefits of soup in winter?

1. Soups help to stay hydrated

During winter, drinking less water than you need to is quite normal.
However, even if you are not warm and perspiring, you still lose fluid from normal daily activities. Soups are a fantastic method to stay hydrated because they are primarily liquid, says Pathania.

moong dal soup
Soups are a winter-must have. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Most soups are packed with ingredients that combat sickness

Many believe that a bowl of soup, especially chicken soup, can fight off the common cold. That holds true, especially if you add lots of fresh celery, carrots, garlic, and onions to it. The expert says they all include potent immune-stimulating substances. The added benefit of having soup is that the heated liquid eases sore throat.

3. Soups are affordable and simple to make

It doesn’t take long to prepare soups. You just have to do a little bit of chopping and stirring. If you use a slow cooker, you can make a flavourful soup in just five minutes, then set the cooker to work for the remaining time. You can use less expensive items, including chicken and fish if you increase the liquid and vegetables. Then, if you like, serve it as a meal with whole-grain bread on the side.

Reasons you should avoid canned soups

1. Canned soups have too much of sodium

Although canned soup and deli meat soup can be extremely nutrient-dense components of your diet. Canned soup often contains excessive amounts of salt. Inflammation has been linked to high blood pressure, which is connected to too much sodium. Meats that have been cured, such as deli turkey, may also include substances like nitrates that may cause inflammation. To reduce inflammation in your body, stay away from soups that are rich in trans fat, sodium, sugar, nitrates, and preservatives.

Quickest mushroom soup recipe
Too much cream in your soup can be bad for your health. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Canned soups are often very creamy

If the soup has a cream foundation like cream of mushroom or nacho cheese soup then you’ll overindulge in fat and salt, which will be bad for your health. You can also use a variety of vegetables while making your own soup instead of these creamy options.

3. Canned soups are high in calories and saturated fat

Canned soups, especially chowders and bisques, are simply yummy, but they are also high in calories and saturated fat. They can contribute to weight gain and elevate heart disease risk factors, so it’s best not to have such soups even if they can be prepared in minutes.

4. Canned soups have sodium phosphate

It is an additive consisting of sodium and phosphate and used as a preservative and taste enhancer. It happens to be a common ingredient in canned soups. It is true that our meals must contain phosphates, but the inorganic phosphates that are added to canned goods have altered endocrine function, explains the expert. This in turn causes tissue damage and the emergence of cardiovascular disease.

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About the Author

Natalia Ningthoujam has written on various subjects - from music to films and fashion to lifestyle - as a journalist in her career that started in 2010. After getting stories from the crime scene, police headquarters, and conducting interviews with celebrities, she is now writing on health and wellness which has become her focus area. ...Read More

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