Can you really slim just from soup? I’ve heard that if you have soup before a meal, you end up eating less. I’d love to try this, but I work long hours and don’t have time to just whip up a pot of soup from scratch. Do those microwavable soup cups work, too?
The soup rumor is true: Women in one study who started their meals with soup consumed 20 percent fewer calories overall—enough to lose five pounds every week. But it’s key to opt for a variety with 150 calories or fewer per serving. This usually means sticking to soups with a chicken or veggie broth and avoiding high-cal ingredients like noodles. Also, many ready-to-eat soups are too processed to deliver any slimming perks. One brand I do like is Kitchen Basics vegetable or chicken stock. This flavorful soup is free of additives that can sabotage weight loss. And since it contains just 20 calories per cup, even a big bowl with a cup of chopped veggies is in the healthy range.