by Sun Meilan

Created on: July 04, 2010

Most people enjoy soup at one time or another; particularly in the winter when it is cold. However, it is often something that people eat simply because it is convenient, and they don't really consider the many benefits to eating soup. Here are some of the main benefits. 

*Filling

Unless you are eating a very thin broth, such as French consomme or Japanese Miso Soup, you will almost certainly find that it is filling. If you only have a few minutes for lunch and want to ensure that you eat something that will keep you going for the rest of the day, look out for soups that contain potatoes and beans; these ingredients will ensure that the soup is thicker and therefore more filling, and they will boost your energy levels. 

*Warming (or cooling)

There is nothing better than a warm bowl of soup in the winter, especially if you come home from work and just want something to warm you up quickly. It is also incredibly comforting. In the summer, soup may not be everyone's first choice, but it is great for lunches on cooler days, and it will boost your liquid levels if you are feeling a bit dehydrated. You could even experiment with cold soups, such as Gazpacho, which is served chilled. 

*Versatile

Soup is largely liquid, so it takes no time at all to heat up - perfect for a quick lunch, especially when accompanied by bread or crispbread. Even better, it is extremely easy to carry around - all you need is a flask and it will remain warm until you get around to eating it. Alternatively, if you have a microwave at work, you can take it in any kind of container and then heat it when it is required. And if you have any left-over, you can easily save it for the next day. 

*Easy to make

Many people these days resort to buying their soup in tins or cartons from the supermarket. However, making soup yourself is incredibly easy, as well as being very cheap (provided you don't start adding in lobster and caviar, of course). There is little in the way of cooking skills required - if you have a slow cooker, throwing in some vegetables and whatever else you like, topped up with some broth will provide you with a nutritious soup. Alternatively, there are plenty of recipes you can follow. 

*Cheap to buy

If making soup is something that you don't relish, or you are worried that it will go off before you get the chance to eat it, then there is a wide variety of flavours and brands that you can buy from the supermarket. Most supermarkets have value brands that

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