Got cold? Get chicken soup

Here is one dish that you do not have to ‘impose’ on your kid. Chicken is all time favorite for kids around the world, and they will eat it no matter how you serve it - be it sausages, roasted chicken, chicken curry, chicken fry, or chicken soups. Needless to say, the healthiest way to take chicken is in its soup form. The classic chicken soup consists of a clear broth (the liquid part of the soup), small pieces of chicken and vegetables (like carrot, tomato, spinach, etc.), and sometimes whole grains like rice, wheat and barley. The taste is further accentuated by adding pepper, garlic, ginger, onions corn, soya beans, etc.
A bowl of hot chicken soup was traditionally thought of as a cure to the common cold. However, recent studies have found that it cannot ‘cure’ common cold. Instead, it offers instant relief from the symptoms of cold. Research studies conducted on the health benefits of chicken soup prove that it removes nasal congestion and ease the flow of nasal secretions. Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine which is released when you drink soup and thins the mucus in the lungs. According to a study conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha in 2000, chicken soup has been found to inhibit neutrophil migration, which has an anti-inflammatory effect and prevents sore throats.
So the next time your kid has a cold, make him a bowl of hot chicken soup. Your kid might refuse most other food items when he is ill - but not chicken soup. Want chicken soup in a jiffy? Try the Knorr chicken soup, a sensational extension of the Knorr soup range. Made with real pieces of chicken, Knorr’s chicken soups will save you time and ensure that your kids feels better instantly.

9 Reasons Why You Should Add Spinach to Your Soups

While spinach (palak) is considered one of the 100 healthiest foods in the world, it is also among the top 10 foods that kids refuse to eat. It is an almost impossible feat to get your kids to eat spinach. We could advise you to try spinach soups; but we doubt there would be any considerable improvement in your kid’s attitude towards it.

So what can you do to get your kid to eat spinach? Well, we are simply going to suggest that you add large quantities of finely chopped spinach leaves to every soup you make. Your kids need not even know that you have added spinach to their soups. Just don’t mention palak anywhere, and you will see your kids enjoying a spinach-rich soup!

Read below to see why spinach is considered one of the world’s healthiest foods:

1. Spinach is a rich source of vitamins A, C and K; thiamine; riboflavin; niacin; calcium; iron; phosphorous; potassium; copper; manganese; carbohydrates; and protein.
2. Spinach is high in dietary fibre and low in fats.
3. Spinach is rich in flavonoids that function as antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic agents. It helps lower the risk of cancers of the colon, prostate and breasts.
4. Choline and inositol in spinach help prevent atherosclerosis.
5. Spinach and alfalfa help stabilize blood sugar among diabetics.
6. Spinach is effective against anaemia, tumours, constipation, ulcers, insomnia, obesity, neuritis, exhaustion, hypertension, bronchitis, osteoporosis, indigestion, and disorders of the kidneys, bladder and liver.
7. Spinach also improves vision and strengthens muscles.
8. It prevents cataract and heart attack.
9. Spinach’s rich protein content helps in foetus development and growth of infants.

The benefits of spinach are too many to avoid including it in your family’s daily diet. And the added advantage of adding it to the soup is that it becomes easy to consume, and the nutrients are not lost while cooking. All in all, this is a great, healthy, and tasty way to add spinach to your child’s diet.

Carrot and Coriander Soup for Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is a very common disease among school children and is one of the major reasons behind their missing school days. While there are allopathic and alternative medicines that effectively reduce the symptoms of the disease, there are certain home remedies as well that help reduce the itching, scarring and ache. One of the most effective home remedies for chicken pox is carrot and coriander soup.

Carrot and coriander soup has traditionally been used in the treatment of chicken pox. The preparation of this soup is very easy. Take about 100 grams of carrots and 60 grams of fresh coriander leaves. Chop then into fine pieces. Boil this mixture for a while. Strain the concoction. Cool the strained liquid and give it to the patient once a day. If your child likes tomato soup, or any other soup, you can add this concoction to his favourite soup to get them to drink it.

Carrot and coriander soup is easily assimilated into the body and helps digestion. It boosts the immune system and is good for the stomach and spleen. It is also good for skin rashes and mouth sores.  The antioxidants contained in carrot help control and limit the disease. Coriander also boosts appetite, and will go towards the child’s iron and leafy vegetable requirement for the day.

8 Ingredients that Make Your Soups Tastier and Healthier

Whether you are making a vegetable, meat or mixed soup, there are 8 ingredients you can/should add to it to accentuate it’s taste, nutritional value and health benefits.

Tomatoes

• Tomatoes are effective against a number of ailments ranging from acne and diabetes to heart diseases, hemorrhages and cancers.
• They are a rich source of Vitamins C, K and A; Potassium and Iron. They are great blood purifiers and help keep the digestive tract healthy.

Ginger

• The compound gingerol in ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, and is effective against joint pains.

Garlic

• It is effective against high LDL cholesterol levels.
• It is a powerful antioxidant that has wonderful anti-carcinogenic properties

Onions

• Onions have been proven to be effective in boosting HDL cholesterol levels.
• They can tackle viral and bacterial infections and tumors.
• They can also reduce the risk of blood clots and even cancer.

Pepper

• Pepper is good against pulmonary and respiratory infections.
• It can also reduce headaches and sinus and nasal passage problems.

Coriander Leaves

• Coriander is effective against swellings, high LDL cholesterol levels, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, anaemia, indigestion, menstrual disorders, conjunctivitis, skin disorders, and blood sugar disorders.
• It is an excellent expectorant.
• It protects the liver.
• It has anti-carcinogenic, anti-rheumatic and anti-histaminic properties.

Mint Leaves (Pudina)

• It helps in the quick digestion of food and prevents stomach upsets.
• It reduces the risk of skin and lung cancer.
• It is good for the skin.

Cumin Seeds (Jeera)

• Jeera is a good source of iron.
• Jeera is good for the digestive system. Scientific studies have shown that jeera can stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes necessary for proper digestion and nutrient assimilation.
• Jeera also have anti-carcinogenic properties.

Need a great soup to add these ingredients to? We give you 16! Try the entire range of Knorr’s healthy, pre-packaged soups. With no added MSG and preservatives, these soups can provide complete and healthy alternatives to junk food and snacks. Connect with us at www.facebook.com/KnorrSoup for more tips and suggestions.

Top 15 Reasons Why Your Kids Should Have Tomato Soups

Tomato soups are considered one of the most nutritionally rich soups in the world. While most kids refuse to eat tomatoes or drink tomato juices, they simply love them as soups. Take a look at the top 15 reasons why you should include tomato soups in your child’s diet:

1. Tomatoes contain the pigment lycopene, which is highly effective against cancers of the prostate gland, cervix, colon, rectum, stomach, mouth, and oesophagus.
2. Lycopene is also a powerful antioxidant that prevents premature wrinkling of skin and cataract.
3. Recent studies have also proved the role of lycopene in preventing osteoporosis.
4. Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid found in tomatoes have been found to lower the risk of lung cancer.
5. Tomatoes are effective against liver cirrhosis and gall stones.
6. They are also effective against high blood pressure.
7. Tomatoes are regarded as a “natural antiseptic” that is effective against various infections.
8. Tomatoes have been found effective against heart diseases.
9. The nicotinic acid in tomatoes helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
10. Tomatoes are a rich source of Vitamins C, K and A. They are also rich in Potassium and Iron.
11. Tomatoes are great blood purifiers.
12. They are also good for diabetics.
13. Tomatoes also prevent hemorrhages.
14. They keep the digestive tract healthy.
15. And here is the good news! Including tomatoes in your daily diet is a great way to a healthy and glowing complexion.

Tomato soups are very easy to make. You can also add legumes, vegetables or cereals to your tomato soup to make it healthier. Now serve it your child and watch them enjoy a nutritious and tasty meal.

Want to make your soups more complete or healthy? Add cereals.

Soups are a complete meal. With a mixed vegetable and legume soup, you can meet most of your daily nutritional requirement. But still missing something? Well, you are probably missing those whole grains and cereals that you are so used to in your daily meals. Don't worry. Cereals have a place in soups too. So go ahead and add those whole grains to your soup and enrich its nutritional value.
Here are 5 reasons why adding cereals to soups is healthy -

• Whole grains (cereal grains containing cereal germ, endosperm, and bran) like wheat, oats, barley, maize, brown rice, etc. are rich in dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, oils, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
• Bran, or the outer layer of a grain, is rich in niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. The endosperm or kernel, which is the core of the grain, contains protein, and carbohydrates. The cereal germ is rich in Vitamin E, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, and Zinc. Cereals are also rich in protein.
• Cereals are also a healthy source of lipids and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 linolenic acid.
• Cereals are cholesterol-free, and a great source of antioxidants and phytochemicals. The phytochemicals in cereals have been found effective in lowering the risk of coronary diseases and high cholesterol levels.
• The high-fiber content in cereals has been found effective in reducing the risk of colon cancer and diverticulitis and maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

So go ahead and add whole grains to your soups. Avoid refined cereals (white rice, white flour, etc.). Cereals complement legume soups too. This is because legumes lack the amino acid methionine that is abundant in whole grains. So the next time you make your vegetable soup, keep a handful of oats, barley or wheat germ handy!

5 Ingredients in your Soups That Can Prevent Cancer

You already know soups are the best way to ensure that your kids eat the right amount of nutrients. But, did you know that soups can play an important role in determining your child’s current and future health? Recent studies have shown that daily consumption of low-fat high-fibre vegetable soups can lower the risk of many cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Take a look at these five ingredients you can add to your soups to lower the risk of cancer:
Tomatoes

• Tomatoes contain the pigment lycopene, which is highly effective against cancers of the prostate gland, cervix, colon, rectum, stomach, mouth, and oesophagus.
• Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid found in tomatoes lower the risk of lung cancer.

Cabbage

• A study conducted by Hengyang University in Kenya found that glucosinolates in cabbage help prevent stomach cancer.
• Cabbage has also been known to lower the risk of breast cancer in women.

Spinach

• A Japanese study discovered that some of the glyconutrients in spinach inhibited the growth of cancer cells.
• In a study conducted by the Harvard Medical School, spinach was found effective in combating ovarian cancer, thanks to the flavanoid ‘apigenin’.
• Another study by the Harvard Medical School found neoxanthin, a carotenoid found in spinach, effective against prostate cancer.
• Scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA, found that the risk of breast cancer in women who consumed spinach daily was lowered by about 44 per cent.

Carrot

• According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, falcarinol, a phytonutrient in carrots, is effective against various cancers.
• The antioxidant alpha-carotene in carrots lowers the risk of lung cancer.

Broccoli

• Experiments have proved that the substances called ITCs (isothiocyanates) found in broccoli can stop the growth of cancer cells.
• Broccoli has also been found to lower the incidence of prostate gland cancer in men.

So go ahead, and start adding these vegetables to your soups and ensure you and your family lead a healthy and disease-free life.