Keep calm and add super food to your winter soups
Come winters and with the mercury dipping at a steady pace, all you crave for is some warmth. In such a scenario, soup becomes your ultimate comfort food. A great appetizer, a hot bowl of soup offers you the much-needed warmth along with essential nutrients.
Of course, you must be making sure that you add all the right vegetables to make the soup as nutritious as possible. Ask us if there is anything else that you can do to enhance the nutritive value of the soup and we will say yes. Want to know how?
Well, adding superfoods to your wintry soups can magnify its nutritional value and offer you the essential vitamins and minerals. This, in turn, is bound to work wonders for your health and immunity.
So, what are the superfoods that you can add to your favorite comfort food? Here is a list to help you get started.
1. Beetroot:
With its sweet and earthy taste, beetroot is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. A cup of cooked beetroot can make up for one third of your daily requirement of folate and 28% of your manganese requirement. These are also a rich source of antioxidants and nitrates which are said to reduce the risk of heart diseases while also improving the dilation of the blood vessels.
2. Cabbage:
An easy to find and somewhat affordable superfood that abounds in winters, cabbage is a rich source of folate as well as vitamins C and K. Including it in your diet can help in regulating the cholesterol levels while also reducing cancer risk.
3. Squash or Gourds:
Rich in Vitamin A, carotenoids and potassium, squash can be added to your soup during winters. Feel free to experiment with the different varieties of this miracle vegetable that can boost your immune system while also improving your bone health.
4. Radicchio:
Popularly known as the purple cabbage in India, radicchio can be eaten raw as well as added to soups during the winter. What’s best about this superfood is that it is low in calories. Thus, it is a perfect pick for weight watchers. Additionally, it is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which are said to enhance the health of the eyes and prevent the various vision issues that take effect with growing age.
5. Leeks:
Extremely low in calories but a rich source of Vitamin A and C, the garlicky flavor of leeks makes it a perfect addition to the winter soups. It gives power to your immune system, thus making you less prone to the various winter associated illnesses.
6. Cauliflower:
Cauliflower is a heady mixture of multiple vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B6, C and K as well as folate. It also comprises of isothiocyanate, which is said to destroy cancer cells. Adding cauliflower to your winter soups can help you induce some essential nutrients into your system.
7. Turnip and Turnip Greens:
A slightly starchy vegetable, turnips comprise of antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer. It is also an abundant source of Vitamin K while its leaves contain traces of Vitamin A. Turnip and its leaves when added to your soups have an overall positive effect on your health. From improving your digestion to strengthening your bones and enhancing the health of your heart, it can play a vital role in keeping you fit.
8. Carrots:
Carrots are rich in Vitamin A which not only improves the health of your eyes but also gives a boost to your immune system. The sweet taste of carrots eliminates the need to add any sugar to your soups, in case you like your soups on the sweeter side.
9. Broccoli:
This winter superfood with its storehouse of vitamins and antioxidants is a perfect addition to your winter soups. It is the best bet for people who are not fond of the vegetable when it is cooked or stir-fried.
10. Lemon:
This list is incomplete unless lemon is added to it. A rich source of Vitamin C, it is well known that lemon contains antioxidants that can improve the health of your gut as well as your teeth and gums while also working wonders for your skin and hair. Add it to your winter soup for that tangy flavor.
Serving it Hot
This winter, as the mercury tends to dip, don’t let the weather changes take a toll on your health.
Powerup your soup with these Superfoods this winters and get your Super Powers to beat the winter blues.
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