Why Lentil Soup Should Be a Shopping Cart Staple
By Cristin Dillon, SELF magazine
Soup season is upon us and if there is one kind of soup that I always keep in the house, it's lentil soup. It might not be the first kind of soup you think to buy but maybe you'll reconsider after reading this 'Shop Like Me'!
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Homemade soups are the best kind of soup you can have because the are usually lower in sodium and more nutrient dense than canned soup but when you don't have time to make a whole pot of soup, using canned is acceptable.
Lentil is my go-to canned soup because it's a perfect combination of fiber and protein which both come from the lentil beans. Lentils, and any other kind of legume, can actually count as either "Vegetables" or "Meat & Beans" according to MyPyramid so when I eat lentil soup I know I am getting two food groups in (1/2 the lentils count as veggies and the other as beans).
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In a 2-cup serving of lentil soup you get double digit protein (18 grams) and fiber (10 grams). These numbers ensure that this soup will keep you full and energized for hours.
Unlike a lot of vegetable or chicken soups, this lentil soup contains nearly a whole can of lentils and not a lot of broth. For other soups it seems like they start with broth and add a few veggies or small pieces or meat. Lentil soup seems to start with the beans and get finished off with a small amount of broth to make it soup. So in addition to being healthier for you than many others, lentil soup is also a better value!
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A big problem with canned soup is the high sodium content. In fact, certain soups contribute 60-70% your daily limit for salt! I wish I could say that lentil soup was an exception but it's not. On the bright side though, I do think you can feel perfectly satisfied with just half a can of lentil soup as compared to some of those less filling broth-based soups so you can cut your salt intake in half without being left hungry. Anytime you chose canned soup it's best to limit your intake of salt at the other meals you eat that day.
I know lentil soup is not the most glamorous soup out there but it's one of the best for you so next time you shop, grab a can and maybe some whole grain crackers to go with it! Enjoy!
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