After a long, two-month stretch of holiday parties–topped off with a vacation in the Bahamas to
celebrate the New Year–I needed to go on a healthy vegetable soup regime for a few days to help me
detox from all of the salt, sugar, snacks, pastries, drinks, desserts and other holiday treats associated
with the season.
A low-salt vegetable soup also helps to kill my cravings for sweet, salty and high-fat foods.
Fortunately, simple, non-cream-based, vegan vegetable soups are low in calories but high in flavor.
Plus, eating light, hearty, vegetable soups are a good way to burn fat and to elevate your metabolism.
In addition, vegetable soup provides lots of fluid.
Most importantly, a light, yet hearty vegetable soup warms your insides and is so good for you!
Curb your appetite by eating soup at the beginning of your meal.
Here are a few vegetables to consider
If you are trying to lose a few pounds as well, it is best to choose mostly low-to- medium glycemic
and fat-burning vegetables.
Onions – add a great amount of flavor with few calories and are instrumental for the prevention and
treatment of diseases.
Mushrooms – battle inflammation and also promote healthy skin thanks to vitamin D. I add lots of them
for their ‘chewy’ texture and healing properties.
Cabbage – a great source of vitamin K and vitamin C, plus fiber to cleanse your colon.
Tomatoes – rich in lycopene, carotenoids and cancer-fighting compounds, they help to break down toxins.
Carrots – although a higher glycemic vegetable, they are rich in carotenoids, vitamins, fiber and minerals.
Celery – has anti-inflammatory benefits plus it adds crunch, flavor and makes the soup more filling.
Kale – this super food delivers both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits plus it helps to lower
cholesterol levels.
Red Peppers – sweet peppers are full of vitamin A, C and carotenoids.
Green Beans – a tasty addition, rich in antioxidants and fiber.
Spinach – a rich source of important vitamins and minerals.
Other low glycemic vegetables to consider include asparagus, broccoli, beet greens, cauliflower, mustard
greens, watercress, bok choy.
Medium glycemic vegetables include brussels sprouts, collard greens, okra, parsley, pumpkin, turnips,
dandelion greens.
Mix it up to keep things interesting.
Here’s what I included in this week’s light and tasty organic vegetable soup.
Make enough to last several days.
I did!
Healthy, Hearty Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
2 cups okra
4 large onions
6 cloves garlic – sliced
2 cups shiitake mushrooms – sliced
2 cups portabella mushrooms – cut into chunks
4 carrots
6 stalks celery
1/2 head cabbage
8 tomatoes – chopped or 2 large cans of diced organic tomatoes (in BPA free cans)
1 bunch scallions – sliced
1 large bottle of low sodium vegetable juice cocktail
10 cups filtered water
Seasonings to taste:
Salt-free taco seasoning
Dried Italian herb seasoning
Oregano
Cayenne pepper
Dried red pepper flakes
Apple cider vinegar
Fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil
Directions:
Wash, slice and dice vegetables.
Add all of the vegetables to a large pot.
Add vegetable juice and water to cover.
Add seasonings.
Bring contents to a boil, then simmer for an 90 minutes or until done.
Turn off heat and let the flavors blend for a while before serving.
Serve soup in bowls.
Garnish with sliced scallions.
Squeeze the juice from half of a fresh lemon into each serving bowl.
Enjoy this soup several times a day!
You’ll be glad you did.
How do you kickstart winter weight loss after the holidays?
What are your favorite light & healthy vegetable soup ingredients?
Share your recipes, thoughts and comments with us.
“Shared on Motivational Monday Linkup”
“Shared at Healthy Vegan Fridays”
“Shared on From the Farm Blog Hop”
“Shared at Natural Family Friday”
“Shared at Gluten Free Fridays”
“Shared at Awesome Life Friday”
“Shared at Thank Goodness Its Monday”
“Shared on Mostly Homemade Mondays”
“Shared on Tuesdays with a Twist”
“Shared on Inspire Me Tuesday”
“Shared on Real Food Wednesdays”
Oh wow… this soup sounds so good right now! I’m loving soup… I suppose it is January – prime soup season!
Thanks for sharing this over at Healthy Vegan Fridays =)
sounds like any combination of vegetables would make a fine, healthy soup. Would it be wrong, wrong, wrong to sprinkle on some parmesan?
Hi PenPen,
I bet that the tart taste of parmesan will enhance the flavor of your soup. I have seen many recipes that suggest that. Vegans can use vegan parmesan cheese. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it.
I have so many veggies to use up right now – this would be the perfect cold weather way to do it! I’d be happy to have you share this post with us on our Awesome Life Friday Link Up! http://rchreviews.blogspot.com/
Hi Lynda,
I am so glad to hear that you love vegetable soup too! I am going to hop by and visit Awesome Life Friday!
Hi Deborah,
This recipe sounds great for a cold Winter’s day and has a wealth of health in the ingredients. Thanks so much for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
Hi Marla,
Thank you so much for pinning and tweeting this. I appreciate it!
Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays Party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share next time!
-Cindy
I love soups so much in the winter – I’ll be making some tonight! Thanks so much for linking up to Awesome Life Friday – I hope you’ll come back again this week!
Hi Lynda,
Hot soup warms we up and makes my day! I enjoyed your link up and will hop by again. Feel free to party with us at our blog hop this week at the “Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Blog Hop”. We’re OPEN for Sharing!
[ https://urbannaturale.com/live-it-up-at-the-healthy-happy-green-natural-party-blog-hop-49/ ]