3 recipes that strike the right a.m. macro balance for all-day energy
A bowl of soup may seem like an odd breakfast choice, but it could help you achieve your nutrition goals. According to recent research, starting your morning with low-density foods like soup can help you eat less throughout the day. Moreover, a study by researchers at Penn State found that people who begin their meals with such fare eat 20 percent fewer calories.
Compared to other popular breakfast options, you can have more volume of soup for fewer calories, adds Barbara J. Rolls, Ph.D., professor of nutritional sciences at Penn State University and author of The Ultimate Volumetrics Diet. "This leads to more sensory satisfaction and you feel fuller, longer," she explains. What's more, with the right ingredient combination—half vegetables, one-quarter protein, and one-quarter starch—soup can provide an energizing a.m. boost for athletes, says Libby Mills, R.D.N. a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics based in Philadelphia.
You can get creative and let a slow cooker do the work for you overnight, or try these three simple recipes from Mills.
Kale Parsnip Soup
Chop equal portions of kale and parsnips, simmer in water until soft, then puree with an immersion blender. For protein, top with Greek yogurt. Optional: Add mango and cajun spices before blending for a Caribbean flair.
Ancient Grain Turkey Soup
Doctor up your favorite vegetable broth with one cup of whatever veggies you have in the house such as tomatoes, cauliflower, and zucchini. Toss in ¼ cup cooked barley, farro, or other grain. Then add one ounce of cooked ground turkey, sage, rosemary, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
Your Favorite Bean Soup
Choose your favorite dried beans, then soak them overnight on your countertop. Drain and rinse. Place the beans in a pot with water, one small onion, half a carrot, and a comparable piece of celery (all chopped), some garlic cloves, two bay leaves, and two whole black peppercorns. Simmer until soft.