Occasionally is OK but don’t consider it a healthy choice.
The arrival of autumn marks the great return of soups and veloutés. Good news, because “when soups are prepared from foods with high nutritional value or low energy density, they are ideal meals for anyone who wants to pay attention to their health and weight“, underlines Dr. Michael Lahey, nutritionist, specialized in weight loss. However, not all soups are equal from a nutritional point of view.
The best is to prepare homemade soups, based on fresh vegetables rich in fiber: spinach, carrot, zucchini, broccoli, celery… They are particularly rich in water, which helps you feel full and control your food intake. . “In terms of calories, they are almost non-existent and full of dietary fiber, vitamins and antioxidants“, he explains on the women’s media SheFinds. Consumed at the start of a meal, they help stabilize blood sugar levels and avoid large spikes in blood sugar, responsible for weight gain and fatigue after workouts. meal. Concretely, “fibers will create a sort of “barrier” which slows down the absorption of carbohydrates consumed during the meal“. On the other hand, other soups have rather the opposite effect and should be limited according to the nutrition expert:
→ Soups made with crème fraîche or cheese (cheddar, fromage frais, Kiri©, Savoyard style, etc.): “Creamy and cheesy, they contain a lot of calories, saturated fat and salt, which contribute to weight gain if consumed frequently“.
→ Meat-based soups: “Added meats have a high caloric density and are very fatty foods, which can slow down digestion and fat metabolism. If you really want to put meat in your soups, prefer turkey or chicken to beef and pork
→ Onion soups one of the worst choices: “Although onions are a nutritious food, the traditional preparation of this soup includes cheese and bread, which naturally raises blood sugar levels and promotes cravings and weight gain. Occasionally is OK but don’t consider it a healthy choice“, specifies the doctor.
Generally speaking, industrial soups, in bricks or sachets (dehydrated), tend to contain more fat and salt than soups prepared at home. To have a stronger taste, soups are often loaded with salt. In addition to the calories and the high salt content, there are also additives to ensure good preservation. We think in particular of flavor enhancers, texturizers, thickeners, stabilizers or colorings… which are best avoided as much as possible.