by Kathy Stemke

Created on: March 19, 2008   Last Updated: January 24, 2012

As you enjoy a steaming bowl of homemade soup on a cold rainy day, you may not think about the benefits it brings to you. A  bowl of warm broth not only warms the body, but also the soul. Soup has a universal appeal because of its convenience, low cost, and variety. Soup not only can prevent disease, but it also adds much needed nutrition to your general diet. And most of all it's m m good! 

HEALTHY AND PREVENTS DISEASE
Eating soup is a great way to add healthy vegetables to your meals. Adding chopped spinach or kale at the end of cooking boosts your soup's vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content which helps ward off winter colds. With wise choices soup can also help lower the risks of cancer and heart disease. When you create your own soup, you are in the driver's seat and can steer clear of unhealthy artificial ingredients that you can't even pronounce.

Grandma's cold remedy does have scientific basis after all. A 2000 study by B.O. Rennard, of Nebraska Medical Center, reported that chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate the symptoms of respiratory tract infections.

CONTROLS HUNGER
The protein in hearty soups helps satisfy hunger, and the nutrient rich liquid is digested rapidly and signals to your brain that you're full. A recent Penn. State university study states that, "incorporating low-energy-dense foods like soup, vegetables and fruits into the diet is a key to calorie reduction and therefore successful long term weight loss". The emphasis of the study was to encourage people to eat more of certain good foods, such as soup, to help them control their fat and calorie intake.

ECONOMICAL AND CONVENIENT
Canned soups may seem easier to prepare, but are more expensive. You end up paying for gaily-printed labels, advertising, storing and shipping. Your own soup may include leftovers, maybe the chicken bones from a Sunday meal. In fact, you can add just about anything to soup. Making a large batch of your favorite soup not only fills your home with a wonderful aroma, but also lowers your food costs. You can freeze the soup and at a later date just defrost and reheat it. This will give you a head start on next week's meals.

VERSITALITY
A light soup served as a first course sets up your palate for the courses that follow. Soup can become a main meal by adding extra carbohydrates and protein. One day you could thicken your soup with elbow macaroni, the next day diced potatoes, then rice, barley or even stale bread. If you want a complete meal in a bowl, just remember to include a small amount of protein. Should you tire of meat as a protein you could try tofu, a soybean "curd" or a can of beans.

You'll be surprised and delighted how inexpensive and nourishing your own invigorating, fresh soup can be. Make it as simple or elaborate as you wish. If you get into the habit of eating soup daily, your grocery bill will diminish and your taste buds will be grateful. So get creative, have fun and explore the infinite possibilities of soup!

Learn more about this author, Kathy Stemke.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.