save money eating soup

Eating soup stretches your food dollars and is healthy to boot. Mixing whatever ingredients you have on hand in a pot of water is cheap and plentiful. Soup may have been around since the first pots were placed on the fire. The word “soup” is probably derived from the bread it is poured over called “sop” or “sup”. Before that, soup was known as broth, potage, or even porridge (although we now think of porridge as strictly a crushed cereal grain boiled in water).

Cultures came up with different approaches to soup based on what was available locally. Borscht made from beets is from Russia. Bouillabaisse is a fish soup from the port city of Marseille, France. Minestrone, made from fresh vegetables and beans, is from Italy. Scotch broth, made from lamb or mutton, tubers, and barley, is from Scotland. You will find that there are specific soups for most places.

There are two main classifications of soup: clear soups and thick soups. French classifications of clear soups include broth and consommé. Thick soups are classified by their thickening agents. Purees are vegetable soups thickened with starch. Bisques are made from mashed seafood or vegetables thickened with cream. Cream soups use a bechamel sauce to thicken. Veloutés are thickened with butter, cream and eggs. Soups can also be thickened with rice, flour, cereals, lentils, mashed potatoes, or mashed carrots.

As well as being delicious, soups are also generally quite healthy. You need to be careful about the sodium level in processed soups. Many manufacturers now offer options for lower salt levels. Salt caution aside, soups offer a hearty meal, often rich in vegetables (which increase fiber intake) and high fluid levels (perfect for staying hydrated).

Boost canned or ready-to-eat soups by adding extra vegetables. Add a fried egg, thin slices of deli meat, a sprinkle of green beans, and green onions to ramen to boost its nutritional value.

Often the cheapest option is to make your own soup. Soups are easy to make and are a great way to use up any leftover bits from other meals. Freeze leftovers in freezer bags or containers marked with the date and contents. When you’re ready to make the soup, pull out these valuable leftovers to add to your soup.

To make a pot of soup, break out an 8-quart pot. Brown the raw meat and onions that you will use. Then add leftovers, up to 4 cups of vegetables in any combination, a handful of noodles of any kind, pour in up to 16 ounces of tomato in whatever form you have (puree, sauce, soup, diced, fresh), and add enough water to bring the mixture to within an inch of the rim of the pot. Sprinkle with spices. Try a tablespoon of Italian mix, or a teaspoon each of basil and oregano, and a quarter teaspoon of pepper (hot red or black, depending on your preference). Add a teaspoon of “Kitchen Bouquet” for extra flavor and rich color. Add a teaspoon of “Better Than Bouillon” or salt. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure the noodles don’t stick to the bottom. The flavors will meld beautifully.

Serve the soup with a carbohydrate. I like to switch between cornbread, fresh bread, toast, and crackers. Add a dollop of cheese, peanut butter, or tuna. Finish your meal with a piece of fresh fruit or a serving of canned fruit.

Eat a soup every day. You’ll find that your food dollars go further, and you’ll also notice improvements in your overall health. “Like what?” you ask. Hydration. Hydration levels improve due to the large amount of water in the soup. Hydration affects how your body works. Digestion works better, bowel movements become regular and easier. Proper hydration is also important for brain function. Dehydration can lead to confusion, poor mental processing, forgetfulness, and other dementia-like symptoms. In general, the lower calorie level of soup helps maintain ideal weight (cream-based soups should form only a small part of your soup regimen). The soup also retains the vitamins and minerals that leach out during cooking, because the liquid in which the vegetables and meats are cooked is eaten instead of going down the drain.

So, eat your healthy soup and be happy!