In the monsoon season, a bowl of warm soup can be an easy appetizer to make at home. While the monsoons bring with them a unique charm, they also increase the risk of colds and flu. This is where healthy soups play a pivotal role in providing warmth and supporting our immunity and overall well-being.

What you need to know:

Importance of soups in a healthy diet
Benefits of homemade soups
Healthy soup recipes to try this monsoon

Importance of soups in a healthy diet

During monsoons, your immune system is compromised, and you might be more prone to bacterial infections. A warm soup can help you avoid cold and flu infections. It is also light on your digestive system, which is vulnerable to infections in the rainy season. It is advisable to avoid ordering soup from outside to prevent water-borne or food-borne diseases.

Benefits of homemade soups

Here are some of the health benefits of homemade soups:

Soups contain a lot of protein, fiber, and low-fat content, making them an ideal addition to a balanced diet.
Soups also contain a lot of veggies, which can give you several health benefits such as decreased risk of heart attacks, strokes and diseases.
Soups also boast a low caloric value, which helps in weight management.
The fibers in soups are known to delay gastric discharge (the rate at which your stomach gets empty), making you feel satiated, leading to less hunger and a stable diet.

Healthy soup recipes to try this monsoon

Here are some of the healthy soup recipes that you can try this monsoon:

Tomato basil soup

Tomato basil soup is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamins C and E. As a result, consuming this soup will lower inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Ingredients

550 grams of tomato
200 grams of tomato puree
70 grams of onion
50 grams of garlic
40 grams of carrots and spring onions
5 grams of crushed black pepper
15 grams of basil
20 grams of oil

Method

Chop the tomatoes and roast them for 20 minutes with pepper, salt, and oil.
Add the chopped carrots, onions, garlic, spring onion and celery in a pot and boil it to make vegetable stock.
Add the roasted tomatoes to the vegetable stock. Boil it until it reduces to a mixture before adding the tomato puree.
Blend a few basil leaves and add them to the mixture.
Strain the soup and garnish with basil. You can pair it with toasted or fried bread croutons.

Coconut curry soup

Coconut Curry Soup Consuming this plant-based soup with spices like garlic and ginger can help significantly reduce inflammation.

Ingredients

1 can of coconut milk
500 ml of vegetable broth
2 chopped carrots
6 chopped garlic cloves
2 chopped celery sticks
1 potato boiled and chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon turmeric and salt

Method

In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped carrots and celery and stir for 5-6 minutes.
Add the curry powder, turmeric, garlic, and ginger and cook for a minute or longer.
Add vegetable broth, coconut milk, chopped potatoes and salt and let it boil.
Reduce the heat and cook until the potatoes are soft. You can add rice or brown rice to the recipe to make it healthy.

Chicken noodle soup

The onions and carrots found in chicken noodle soup are rich in vitamins C and K, along with other minerals and antioxidants. This strengthens your immunity and helps fight viruses, resulting in faster recovery.

Ingredients

500 grams of shredded boneless chicken
250 grams egg noodles
3 carrots chopped
2 chopped onions
4 celery stalks
3 chopped garlic cloves
60 ml olive oil
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley
Salt and pepper

Method

Heat the oil in a soup pot before adding the carrots, onions and celery.
Add a teaspoon of salt and pepper and cook for 15 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
Add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute before adding the chicken stock.
Add the noodles and parsley and cook for about 6 minutes.
Finally, add the boiled chicken and cook the noodles and chicken properly.
Add salt and pepper according to taste before serving.

Embracing a diet rich in healthy soup recipes benefits your overall health significantly. They help you incorporate vitamins and minerals into your daily diet through flavorful meals.

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