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Soup Can Benefit The Whole Body

Study Finds Several Ways Soup Can Improve Health

Soup is the perfect food for cold winter days. For some, soup is a favorite comfort food; for others, it is a quick meal.

But a new study shows that a bowl of soup can also improve your health in several ways.

Researchers at Penn State University found that soup can help take off those extra pounds.

Researchers gave two groups of people the same foods to eat. One group ate the foods in the form of a soup, while the other group ate the same foods in the form of casserole.

The group that ate the meal as soup consumed nearly 30 percent fewer calories and did not feel as hungry later in the day as the casserole group reported feeling.

Researchers caution that the kind of soup eaten makes a big difference. For best results, a broth or tomato-based soup like chicken, vegetable or minestrone are better choices than cream-based or cheesy soups.

The study also suggested that weight control is not the only benefit of eating soup. Soup is a perfect way of adding extra servings of vegetables to a diet.

When making soup, double the amount of vegetables or add leftover vegetables, like steamed broccoli or carrots, to commercially prepared soups. Canned beans that have been drained add extra fiber.

If eating soup before a meal, eat slowly for the most benefit. If soup is the main meal, make sure that it includes a good source of protein, like diced chicken or turkey or cubes of beef. A small amount of protein will satisfy hunger for a longer period of time.

Canned soups can be high in sodium, so choose low-sodium varieties.

With the right choices, soup can also help lower the risk of cancer and heart disease, and supply the nutrients needed for overall good health.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2002

Answers

Soups are sure great for utilizing leftovers.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2002