And Soup makes a Complete Meal

Afif is going to be on his own soon in a foreign land and I am quite apprehensive if he would be able to survive on milk, cereals and bread alone. You see, Afif and the kitchen don't blend at all. When left on his own, he would rather add instant noodles to boiling water and eat that without any add-ons. Surely, this is allowed once in a while but certainly not to be developed as a routine habit. I hate to see Afif coming home after his overseas sojourn with more grey hair than grey matter in his cerebrum.


Soups are easy to prepare and as Afif loves them; he must learn to make them. Soups are an easy, complete and healthy meal solutions. If blended with all the right ingredients it can be nourishing too.

There are many good, healthy and nutritious reasons to go for that bowl of delicious soup.

Soups with vegetables are a source of vitamins, antioxidants and fibre. You can easily accomplish your daily vegetable requirement of 5 servings of fruit and vegetables by adding veggies to your soups.

Soups can be prepared in so many varieties that the actual nutrient would actually depend on the type of ingredients used. For example:

• The tomato in Tomato soup comes packed with a good source of vitamin A, Bs, C and the powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Lycopene is great for the prostate.
  
• Pumpkin soup is full of potassium and Vitamin A
  
• Sweetcorn & Potato soup and Minestrone soups are great sources of fibre

Warm soups are also a beneficial way to increase fluid intakes during the cold winter months when drinking cold water may not seem to be too appetizing.

The great thing about soups is that it not only boost your nutrients consumption but it blends perfectly with a balanced and healthy diet regime. A bowl of vegetable soup with beans, lentils or meat plus two slices of wholemeal bread or bun makes a complete meal.

A complete meal of soup saves on preparation time and when eaten, it is easy to digest. I am sure children love them as they normally are not too hot. For lazy eaters or people on the move, a bowl of soup means less time spent on the dining table and more time for their other favorite activities.

So folks, get your slow cookers and stew pots out and start making nutritious soups for your family.