Soup season is in full swing–which is great for those of us looking for great recipes that can also help us reach our New Year’s weight loss goals, because soups offer practically endless opportunities to pack in nutritious, filling, low-calorie ingredients. In fact, there are tons of delicious soup ingredients that offer up incredible anti-inflammatory properties, which is a major key to a healthy diet. Chronic inflammation in the body can lead to issues like insulin and leptin resistance, which can hold you back significantly on your weight loss journey. But by adding the right foods to your plate (or, in this case, your bowl) you’ll be well on your way to less inflammation–not to mention a slimmer waistline.
To discover some of the best anti-inflammatory soup ingredients to throw in the pot this winter, we spoke to certified health coach Joanna Wen, founder of Spices & Greens. She pointed us towards veggies like leafy greens, root vegetables, and more, along with some of your favorite spices like garlic and turmeric. Find all of her top picks below!
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Anti-inflammatory veggies
Luckily, there’s no shortage of inflammation-fighting vegetables that taste delicious in a bowl of soup. For starters, Wen says leafy greens like kale and spinach are great options that “pack a nutritional punch.” Next up, celery “contains both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds called apigenin which can help reduce swelling and improve blood flow throughout the body.” And to really add some heartiness to your soup recipe, don’t forget those delicious, nutrient-packed root vegetables! “Adding root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and yams provides antioxidants and beta-carotene that support inflammatory balance, as well as heart health.” Incredible!
Anti-inflammatory spices
Of course you can’t forget the spice. Not only does adding ample spice to your soup give it all the flavor you need to go back again and again for a second and third bowl, but the right spices can also bring your soup’s anti-inflammatory benefits to the next level. In fact, Wen says that adding spices like ginger, turmeric, and garlic can “boost flavor, metabolism, and reduce inflammation associated with metabolic disorders.” That means all that great flavor can bring you one step closer to your weight loss goals.
Ginger is known to reduce oxidative stress thanks to its active ingredient, gingerol. Meanwhile, Wen points out that turmeric includes curcumin, “which has been proven to reduce inflammation throughout the body by suppressing molecules that are responsible for it.” Finally, garlic is loaded with an anti-inflammatory compound called allicin. All together, they make a great-tasting, weight loss-friendly soup.
“By combining these ingredients for an anti-inflammatory soup, you will be creating a powerhouse of nutrients that not only reduce inflammation but support healthy weight loss as well,” Wen concludes. We can’t wait to give it a shot!
