The Only Weight-Loss Soup Recipe You Need (2024)

Cook up a big batch of our popular vegetable weight-loss soup for a healthy meal that keeps you satisfied.

By

Wendy S. Ruopp, M.S.

The Only Weight-Loss Soup Recipe You Need (1)

Wendy was Managing Editor for EatingWell. She copyedited, proofread and managed the production of every issue of EatingWell magazine since the first issue in 1990 until the last issue in 2022. She has a B.A. from Swarthmore College and an M.S. in Counseling from the University of Vermont.

Updated on October 3, 2022

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

The Only Weight-Loss Soup Recipe You Need (2)

Reviewed by DietitianJessica Ball, M.S., RD

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition toEatingWell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine,Real Simple,Parents,Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes.

Cooking up a satisfying pot of vegetable soup can help your weight-loss efforts for a few reasons. For starters, research has found that soups might help you lose weight. In one study, published in the journal Physiology & Behavior, people consumed the fewest calories on days when they ate soup rather than the same ingredients in solid form. Soup has a high water content, which can help you feel full and stay hydrated—both of which are important for weight loss. Broth-based soups packed with veggies give you the biggest bang for your caloric buck. And, just like salad, soup is a good vehicle for vegetables (the fiber in vegetables also promotes feelings of fullness). And in a study published in Appetite, people who started lunch with vegetable soup ended up eating 20 percent less than those who skipped the soup.

Joyce Hendley, co-author of the James Beard Award-winning cookbook The EatingWell Diet, developed the ultimate vegetable soup recipe. The light, super-satisfying vegetable minestrone soup is inspired by a favorite Weight Watchers (now WW) recipe: "I'll never forget the moment in a Weight Watchers meeting when the conversation turned to 'The Soup.' Everyone in the room, it seemed, owed their success to the Garden Vegetable Soup recipe in the program booklet. Words like 'easy,' 'yummy' and 'filling' kept coming up. I practically sprinted home to make it that night.

"The soup was simplicity itself: carrots, onions, cabbage, tomato and spinach simmered with seasonings in broth. It tasted fantastic. And it worked: I ate the soup for lunch most days (and for dinner some busy nights) and lost 15 pounds in a few months without feeling deprived."

The Only Weight-Loss Soup Recipe You Need (3)

Pictured Recipe: Veggistrone

Joyce's version of "The Soup," which she calls Veggistrone, comes in at just 161 calories for a big 2-cup serving that's packed with at least two servings of vegetables in every bowlful. The recipe makes a big pot of soup, so keep some in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freeze the rest of the vegetable minestrone soup in single-serve portions. That way you always have an easy, delicious vegetable soup to start your meal or to eat for lunch. Think of this vegetable minestrone recipe as a starting point for other healthy soup variations, too: toss in leftover chopped cooked chicken or whole-wheat pasta or brown rice to make it even more satisfying. Top it with a generous spoonful of Parmesan cheese, bringing the Italian flavor to the forefront and keeping any feelings of diet deprivation at bay.

Must-Try: Cabbage Diet Soup

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The Only Weight-Loss Soup Recipe You Need (2024)

FAQs

Which soup is good for weight loss? ›

What really makes a difference is the calorie count. Avoid creamy, thick soups and choose low-fat, low-calorie alternatives like tomato, mushroom, chicken, and carrot soups instead. A healthy vegetable soup can also help you meet the daily recommendation of 5 servings of fruit and vegetables.

What is the 1 week soup only diet? ›

Broth-based soup diets generally last for 7 days. However, some can last as long as 10–14 days. Over that time, proponents of a broth-based diet claim you can lose up to 10 or even 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kg). On a broth-based soup diet, cream-based soups are restricted, as they're higher in calories and fat.

Can I lose weight by eating soup only? ›

As the soup diet usually only lasts for 7-14 days, it's not recommended in the long term. The NHS also highlights how very low-calorie diets like this often lead to short term weight loss, but it's likely that you'll put some or all of the weight back on once you go back to eating normally.

Which soup is good to reduce belly fat? ›

5 Best Soups That Will Help To Burn Belly Fat
  • Vegetable soup. Lean protein from chicken combined with a variety of vegetables can make a satisfying and low-calorie soup that can help you feel full and satisfied.
  • Chicken and vegetable soup. ...
  • Black bean soup. ...
  • Lentil soup. ...
  • Tomato soup.
Nov 4, 2023

How does the 7 day soup diet work? ›

Most plans last seven days, but others can last up to two weeks. This seven-day eating plan requires that you make a large batch of soup that includes cabbage as the main ingredient, but may also include tomato, onion, carrots, and either a chicken- or vegetable-based broth.

What is the healthiest soup you can eat? ›

These healthy soup recipes are packed full of goodness but they also pack a punch when it comes to flavour.
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

How much weight will I lose if I only eat soup for 2 weeks? ›

Although research seems to indicate that soup can be an effective part of a weight loss plan, there is no research that conclusively demonstrates how much weight you can lose if you only eat soup for two weeks. Most likely, your results will depend on how much soup you eat and how calorie-rich it is.

How much weight can you lose on a 2 weeks cabbage soup diet? ›

People who follow the diet strictly will likely lose some weight, potentially 10 pounds per week or more. This is because it involves eating so few calories each day. However, in most cases, people quickly regain this lost weight once they return to their regular diet.

What is the broth diet only? ›

Drinking only bone broth can help you lose weight because it deprives you of calories. However, it could be harmful to the body, so be cautious and ensure that you receive the complete range of nutrients you require to be healthy. A combination of diet and exercise may help you lose weight.

Is progresso soup good for weight loss? ›

Weigh the pros and cons and talk with your doctor before starting a Progresso soup diet or any other diet that restricts you only to certain foods. While a canned soup diet may result in weight loss initially, it might not help you keep it off in the long term.

What is souping to stay slim? ›

Over the last few years, "souping" has gained popularity as a way to eat clean, lose weight and get healthy. The idea behind a soup cleanse is that you eat only vegetable soups for a certain number of days, and afterward—poof—you're magically slimmer and healthier.

Are canned soups good for weight loss? ›

To make soup healthier for weight loss, Sabat suggests looking "for lower-fat and lower-sodium options, and try to make your own soups at home using fresh ingredients." It's always best to opt for making your own soup from scratch rather than canned soups.

What is souping to lose weight after 50? ›

The diet calls for having soup three to five meals a day and adding vegetables to help cleanse and detox your system. The weight loss occurs by cutting calories from fat and likely from carbohydrates.

Do fat burning soups work? ›

Yes, that's right — the soup diet really does work. Or at least the concept of a soup diet can yield legitimate weight loss. Research shows soup is a helpful weight-loss food: It has the potential to be as satisfying as eating solid food, even though it's a liquid, per an older paper in ‌Physiology & Behavior‌.

How much weight can you lose on the 7 day cabbage soup diet? ›

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a short-term weight loss diet. Proponents of the diet say that it can help you lose up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in a single week, but many health experts warn that the diet does not promote health and wellness, and results are unsustainable.

Are potatoes good for weight loss? ›

Riley Kusuma, accredited practising dietitian at Bupa, agrees that potatoes are a great inclusion to a balanced and healthy diet, and can help you reach your weight loss goals. “Potatoes rate very highly on the satiety index, which means they keep you fuller and satisfied for longer after eating,” says Kusuma.

Is chicken soup good for belly fat loss? ›

A classic chicken noodle soup is a comforting antidote when you catch a cold, but it can be so much more than that, too. This particular homemade recipe can aid in your belly fat loss goals because it keeps the calories low while still providing protein from the chicken and fiber from the vegetables.

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