Losing weight isn’t just about shedding that stubborn excess fat; it’s about finding the perfect balance between muscle fat, mass, and overall wellness. Well, eating soup can give you all that since it’s filled with lean protein content and vegetables.
Soup can aid weight loss because it has high water, fibre, and lean protein content, aiding digestion, regulating blood sugar levels, and providing warmth for healthier eating habits.
In this article, we’ll discuss how soup can support weight loss and some tips on the perfect timing meals to make the most of your soup-based diet.
Are Soups Effective For Weight Loss?
Soups can be highly effective meal choices for weight loss because of their high water content and low-calorie density. Consuming them can help fill you up without a significant calorie load.
According to Yong Zhu of the Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, USA, et al., soup consumption can lead to lower BMI, reduced waist circumference, and a reduced likelihood of obesity. The study suggests that soup's high water and fibre content may promote satiety, potentially reducing overall calorie intake.
Since they often contain a high content of fibre, vegetables, protein, and other nutrients, they can prevent and suppress hunger in between meals. We recommend consuming lighter options, like broth-based soups, because they are more beneficial for weight loss than most creamy soups or high-fat soup options.
Light miso broth or vegetable soups like a bean soup diet are among the most popular choices for soup cleanse options and weight loss because they provide essential nutrients without making you feel deprived or overly full.
What Is The Soup Diet?
The soup diet is a temporary eating plan and an effective tool for weight loss that centres on soup as the main meal throughout the day. This comforting and delicious food offers a low-calorie, nutritious diet that helps suppress hunger yet is generally low in carbohydrates and fats.
As mentioned in the study led by Julie E. Flood from Pennsylvania State University, USA, eating soup as a preload can decrease hunger, increase fullness, and reduce subsequent test food intake. It can be an excellent way to jump-start a healthier eating habit to support your overall health.
Typically, a soup recipe includes vegetables and great-tasting broth because they contain fewer calories and carbohydrates. Meanwhile, creamy soups or starchy soup diets (like potato soup), although good and satisfying, contain many calories and saturated fat because of their heavy cream content.
Most soup diets are healthy eating plan options that provide warmth, comfort, and nutrients to prevent fatigue and hunger, which may lead to weight and fat loss.
How Does Soup Help You Lose Weight?
Eating soup helps you lose weight due to its high water content, low-calorie density, ability to increase satiety, and other health benefits.
Its nutrient-dense ingredients like vegetables, lean meats, legumes, and whole grains promote mindful eating and reduce overeating. It creates a sense of fullness that can reduce hunger, support better digestion, and potentially improve metabolism and overall health.
Healthy, homemade soup and broth can be adapted to suit different dietary preferences and weight loss goals, including low-carb, high-protein, and vegetarian/vegan or plant-based options. A simple vegetable-based soup can be satisfying and nutritious while being low in calories.
Soup diets offer a balanced mix of nutrients, making it easier to meet dietary needs in one meal. Starting meals with soup can also help reduce the total amount of food you consume, as it satisfies hunger quickly and can prevent overeating later.
What Are The Healthiest Soup To Eat On A Diet?
The healthiest soups to consume on a diet are those packed with vegetables, lean proteins, and legumes, providing essential nutrients without being high in calories or fats. For example, the cabbage soup diet is a popular low-fat option, well-suited for those aiming to reduce calorie and fat intake.
Opt for chicken broth, a fibre-rich option to stay full and satisfied without consuming excess calories. Homemade soup diets like chicken or bean soup diet options also give you complete control over ingredients, ensuring they fit into your health goals.
Some ideal choices include:
Vegetable soups: These are low in calories, high in vitamins, and very filling.
Broth-based soups: These are light and satisfying without excess fat.
Legume or lentil soups: These are rich in protein and fibre, keeping you full for longer.
Chicken or turkey soup: These contain lean protein that’s filling without a lot of calories.
You can also try soup cleanses, like the Nourish Soup Cleanse and Detox, to help you shed weight. This nourishing, organic soup can cleanse and revitalise your body.
When preparing or selecting an excellent soup for a weight loss diet, we suggest using fresh vegetables, minimal starchy additives and lean proteins.
It’s also important to determine the ideal time to eat soup low in calories to help you shed pounds. Soup timing significantly impacts weight loss, as low-calorie soups can curb appetite, reduce caloric intake, and promote fullness, potentially supporting gradual weight loss by reducing overall food consumption.
What’s The Best Time To Drink Soup For Weight Loss?
The best time to drink soup for weight loss is before having your main meals, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
According to an article published by Reuters, beginning a meal with a low-calorie soup may help reduce overall calorie intake, as it aids in creating a sense of fullness more quickly. This insight is drawn from research indicating that people who start with soup are more likely to feel satisfied sooner, which can naturally lead to eating less during the main course.
Whether for lunch or dinner, soup diets are a satisfying choice to consume that’s easy to digest and prevents overeating. Some people prefer soup as a light evening meal, given its lower calorie count and easy digestion, which can promote a more restful sleep. Sleep regulates hunger hormones, controls appetite, and supports optimal metabolism and energy use which is essential for weight loss.
Plus, enjoying a nutrient-rich, immunity-boosting soup before the main course can enhance satiety, making it easier to enjoy smaller portions and manage calorie intake as part of a balanced diet.
How Much Weight Can You Lose On A 7-Day Soup Diet?
A 7-day soup diet can help you lose around five to seven pounds. However, results may vary depending on various factors like physical activity, starting weight, and metabolism.
When you start shedding weight, the initial loss often comes from water weight rather than fat. This happens because glycogen stores, which hold water, are reduced as calorie or carbohydrate intake decreases.
However, please note that rapid weight loss methods like soup-based diets should be approached cautiously, as they are best suited for temporary use.
Takeaways
In conclusion, a healthy soup can be a helpful option for weight loss, particularly when it’s part of a balanced diet. With its low-calorie, nutrient-dense, and satisfying nature, you can feel full without consuming too many calories, helping you reduce weight.
While soup diets can jumpstart weight loss with quick results, they work best as part of a long-term, balanced approach. Many nutrition experts recommend incorporating soups—especially vegetable and broth-based varieties—into a varied diet to support sustainable weight management.
For a more structured start, consider a soup cleanse to reset your habits. Providers like Presscription offer both soup and juice cleanses in London, making it easier to support your wellness goals with nourishing, low-calorie options."