Lose weight with these recipes for healthy low calorie soups
When winter arrives, we often find ourselves craving warm and comforting food, which can make it challenging to maintain a healthy weight. However, fear not! We have three delectable low calorie soups that will keep you warm this winter without compromising on taste.
Cabbage Soup: Cabbage-based soups are incredibly low in calories, making them perfect for satisfying between-meal snacks or even as a replacement for main meals.
Ingredients:
- 2 large onions
- 2 green peppers
- 2 cans of tomatoes
- 1 bunch of celery
- 1 head of cabbage
- 3 carrots
- 1 package of mushrooms
- 1–2 stock cubes (optional)
- 6–8 cups of water
Directions:
- Chop all the vegetables into cubes.
- In a large stock pot, sauté the onions in a small amount of oil.
- Add the remaining vegetables and cover with water. Include stock cubes or other seasonings if desired.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 30–45 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Season the soup with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices according to your preference. You can also add additional vegetables like spinach or green beans.
Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup: This protein-rich soup, made with red lentils and vegetables, will keep you feeling full for longer, helping you avoid unhealthy snacking between meals.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 can (400 grams) of diced tomatoes
- 500ml of liquid vegetable stock
- 1 cup of dried red lentils
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1 bag (140 grams) of baby spinach
Directions:
- Heat the olive oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the carrots and onion, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly browned and tender.
- Stir in the cumin and cook for 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes, liquid vegetable stock, lentils, 2 cups of water, salt, and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer covered for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Stir in the baby spinach.
Tomato Basil Soup: Tomato basil soup is a low-calorie option that is perfect for those aiming to shed some pounds.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk of celery, finely chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup of fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cans (800 grams) of diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups of liquid chicken stock (or liquid vegetable stock)
Directions:
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onions, celery, and garlic, and sauté gently until softened, approximately 5 minutes. Be careful not to let the garlic brown.
- Add the basil, thyme, tomatoes, and liquid stock of your choice. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Use a blender to puree the soup. If you prefer a chunky texture, lightly puree it. For a smooth and velvety consistency, fully puree it.
No matter which soup you choose, you can avoid the disappointment of winter weight gain and be ready to embrace the spring and summer days ahead. Enjoy these delicious low-calorie soups and stay slim and satisfied throughout the season.
