Can soup be a complete meal?

Most of us consider soups as appetizers or as the first dish in a series of courses to come. We also relegate soups to sick days, or when the weather is very cold. But did you know soups can be a complete meal by itself?
What does a good and healthy meal constitute of? A meal has to have the perfect blend of carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber, along with the necessary nutrients and vitamins. This translates to the “dal-roti-chaval” or the “roti-subji-dal-raita” meals in the North, and the “idly-sambar” or the “rice-curry-sambar-yoghurt” meals in the South. These meals have the time and tested ingredients – dals, vegetables, wheat/grains, and fresh curd – that is perfect for anyone, at any time of the day.
So how can soups become a complete meal by itself? It can, and it should. As Indians become more obese, and are faced with more options, and bigger serving sizes in restaurants, the need of the hour is to make our meals more simple. And healthy.
Soups are the perfect solution to today’s housewife who has multiple responsibilities inside and outside the home for her family, kids, career, friends and related social activities. Whether you are strapped for time, or need to lose weight, or even maintain a healthy lifestyle, soups are the perfect solution for meal times.
By adding fresh vegetables, herbs and spices, vegetable stock, and basic seasonings like salt & pepper, a healthy, fat free meal is ready for you and your family. Into this mix, if you add dal, or cooked channa or rajma, you end up with a soup that has all the essential ingredients for a complete meal. Toast a couple of slices of wheat bread, cut it up into small bits, and add it to your soup to make it more hearty and healthy.
It is time to change our attitude towards soups. It is time to consider soups as a complete, perfect meal by itself.

The Advantages of drinking soup

It is not a coincidence that soups have become the number one choice for health watchers across the world. Read below to know more about the ‘Soup Advantage:’

• Soups are one of the most nutritive methods of consuming vegetables.
• Since soups are made by boiling ingredients in water or broth until they are soft, the flavor is not lost, and is absorbed in the liquid. The body can absorb and assimilate these nutrients quickly without having to digest and break down the ingredients.
• Soups are low in fats (especially saturated fat) and calories.
• A bowl of soup before a meal helps reduce food intake.
• Soups are great appetizers too.
• They are good for people of all ages, and especially for those who have difficulty chewing or digesting.
• Soups are good immunity-builders.
• Hot soups, especially chicken soups, have an anti-inflammatory effect, which makes them effective against cold and fever.
• Low-salt soups get rid of excess body wastes.
• A daily bowl of soup can also reduce the risk of cancers, heart diseases and stroke.
• Some soups have been traditionally used as effective remedies for diarrhea.
• Soups have also been found excellent against asthma, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels.
• The high antioxidant content of soups can rectify the damage caused by high blood sugar levels.
• Soups help restore the necessary water balance, which in turn keeps our blood pressure (and salt content) under control.
• Soups are also good decongestants. This is because onions and pepper added to soups are natural decongestants.
• Soups are a healthy substitute for tea/coffee etc.
• Soups are also the best way for your kids to get the right nutrients critical for their growth. Kids- often reluctant when it comes to cooked or raw vegetables- love soups.
• And the biggest advantage? You can make soup from almost any vegetable or meat and that too, in a matter of minutes.

Knorr soups are a great way to bring a wide variety of health-promoting vegetables to your table in one simple meal. For speed and convenience, use it straight from the pack. Or get more creative by using it as a stock and adding your own selection of tasty fresh vegetables. For more ideas, connect with us at http://www.facebook.com/KnorrSoup and share your favorite soup recipes with us.