Souped Up: Healthy, Hearty Soup Recipes

Get ready to be bowled over. These seven filling and delicious soups and stews will satisfy your fall cravings -- without the fat and calories.

Meatball Escarole Soup

Makes: 6 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 pound 93 percent lean ground beef
6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
6 tablespoons plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
2 carrots, peeled and cut into coins
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
8 cups packed shredded escarole, rinsed and drained
3 cans (14 ounces each) low-sodium chicken broth
Directions
1. Combine beef, 4 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, and eggs in a large bowl. Form into 24 meatballs, using about 1 level tablespoon for each.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Add meatballs; cook on each side until nicely browned and transfer to a plate.
3. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pot with the onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook 10 minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Stir in escarole; cook 3 minutes.
4. Add meatballs and broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve soup with remaining Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
Nutrition facts per serving: 205 calories, 15g protein, 15g carbohydrate, 10g fat (3g saturated), 4g fiber
Souper Satisfying
Soup's not just delicious and easy to make, it's a proven weight-loss aid. "Soups and stews are incredibly filling because of their very high water content," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a FITNESS advisory board member. "That means you get full on fewer calories than if you eat something like, say, a casserole, which has much less water in it." In fact, people who have a bowl before a meal consume 20 percent fewer calories, research shows. Plus, many soups and stews are a mix of whole grains, lean protein, and vegetables, so you're able to get a complete meal (as much as two servings worth of veggies) in just one bowl.

Healthy Food For Kids

 Healthy food for kids is not just about nutrition for kids, it is about your whole approach to healthy kids food and eating. If your family and you embrace that food is to be enjoyed, you should avoid “good” and “bad” foods. It is unrealistic to exclude totally certain ingredients or foods, it is all about moderation – see Kids Food Pyramid and 5 Tips for Kids Nutrition.

Salt

• A little salt is a part of a healthy diet. Too much salt is bad for the teeth and higher blood pressure later in life.
• Avoid giving your child savoury snacks that are high in salt, or prepackaged or tinned foods which can be high in salt (sodium)

Sugar

• Sugar is common in lots of processed foods, often it is referred to as sucrose, maltose, dextrose, glucose, fructose, honey or sugar syrup. There can be a lot of sugar in processed food like baked beans, peanut butter, pasta sauces, and chips.
• Sugar is a major cause of tooth decay, can be cause of diabetes, and can produce a quick burst of energy followed by a low leaving the child lethargic.
• Try not to encourage the idea that sugary foods are treats.
• Avoid giving toddlers artificial sweetners, there is a lot of contention as to what their effects on toddlers can be.
• Many processed foods contain sweetners instead of sugar, so carefully check the labels before buying them. Artificial sweetners have many names such as mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, hydrogenated glucose syrup, aspartame, saccharin, and thaumatin.

Caffeine

• Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause toddlers to be edgy and hyperactivity. It is found in tea, coffee, and fizzy soft drinks like cola.

Soft Drinks

• Lots of drinks aimed for children contain sugar, caffeine and additives. Sugar is bad for toddlers teeth.
• Try to encourage your toddler to drink water, or alternative drinks like: fruit smoothies, diluted low sugar cordial, or tr fruit teas.

Breakfast Cereals

• Lots of breakfast cereals aimed at children are high in sugar and sometimes salt.
• Try to get cereals for you toddlers that are low in sugar and salt, such as muesli or whole wheat cereals

Chips

• Try to avoid regularly buying supermarket bought precut and cooked oven chips. These can still be high in fat and have little nutritional benefit. It is better to make your own chips or wedges.

Burgers, Chicken Nuggets, Fish Fingers

• TV advertising plays a major part in creating the desire for burgers and chicken nuggets. Processed foods can contain a lot of saturated fats and additives to make them taste better.
• It is more healthy and cheaper to make home made burgers, nuggets and fish fingers. Home made burgers can be easily made with lean mince, while nuggets can be made with chicken breast.
• You migth not be able to avoid all processed foods, just try to not to make it a regular part of your diet.

Tinned baked beans

• Tinned baked beans are a good source of fibre, protein and vitamins. However, they can also contain a large amount of sugar and salt. Try some of the low salt brands that are now available.

Pizza

• Delivered pizzas can contain sweetened tomato topping and processed cheese and meats.
• A healthier and cheaper alternative, is to make the pizza at home using get your children to help with the toppings

Sweets and Chocolates

• Sweets and chocolates aimed at children can contain a lot of fats, additives and sugar.
• Healthier alternatives to try are dried fruits or good quality chocolate – 70% cocoa

Crisps

• Crisps are high in fat and salt. Even brands promoted as low in fat can contain 20% fat. Some flavoured crisps will contain sugar and lots of additives.

Yoghurt and fromage frais

• Shop bought yoghurt and fromage frais aimed at children are often high in sugar or artificial sweetners.
• An healthy alternatives is to use natural full fat yoghurt mixed with fresh fruit, honey or vanilla.

Healthy Turkey Burger

Healthy Turkey Burger--So who eats meat, it's for you! I love a good turkey sandwich from time to time (especially in "vacation" for a barbecue). That's a healthy recipe that will blow your taste buds! Vegetarians in the house, I would like to make an offer to the appropriate substitution, but I'm afraid that I'm white. But do not worry, I've got something special coming for you next week at the "Burger / Pattie" before!

The fact healthy: Turkey contains tryptophan, which is closely related to serotonin in the brain that we can help you relax and even make us feel a little sleepy. Tryptophan is a serotonin can also supply good feelings. Good luck!

TURKEY TERIYAKI BURGERS

1 package turkey meat
1 egg
1 cup teriyaki
1 cup bread crumbs (any flavor)

Put teriyaki in large bowl. Slowly add bread crumbs and mix. You don’t need to use the entire cup of bread crumbs. Mix teriyaki and crumbs very well until a brownish moist bread crumb pile results.

Add turkey meat and egg to the large bowl. Mix well.

Use a mayo lid or pancake molder to form the perfect shaped burger. Put the burgers on a grill at a medium flame. flip several times until nicely browned.

This meal is low fat and delicious.