How healthy do you think living off home made vegetable soup for each meal would be?
Posted by fiftyzedned@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 100 comments
If I was to eat a bowl of my veg soup for each meal, so let's say three servings a day. I'd still have some fruit and perhaps a slice of seeded bread a day too. Do you think that would suffice?
EllieW47@reddit
I'm sure this is what a large proportion of the population lived off for a large part of our history.
Put some beans/lentils in for protein and it is probably a lot healthier than most modern diets, as long as you eat the right amount of it.
WatchingTellyNow@reddit
And some Marmite, for the B12, if you're not eating meat. Makes it taste yummy too, even if you don't usually eat Marmite.
Famous_Youth6606@reddit
For B12?
CrossCityLine@reddit
Yup, pottage was the meal for centuries.
All you’d need in there is some protein source and you’ll be golden if you can cope with the monotony.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottage
Deep_Banana_6521@reddit
you'd need some B12. If you're not into eating meat, you can get supplements and sometimes they add B12 to plant milks.
Any-Web-3347@reddit
It depends what else you put in your soup. If there is enough protein as well as vegetables and a few carbs, that’s a good start. Red lentils are easy because they break down to a thickening paste after 20 minutes and you can’t even tell they are there. Vary that up with a range of other beans and pulses or what other protein you eat. You also want some omega 3, which doesn’t sound likely in your description. Maybe include a multivitamin, because it will also be a challenge to get enough vitamin b12 like this, and maybe a few vitamins as well.
Do_not_use_after@reddit
Modern vegetable growing methods have depleted the soil of some key vitamins, notably B13. If you use organic veg you'd be ok, but if it's supermarket veg then add in Engervita (or similar) to avoid long term issues. Also, you will need some protein, but modern fads are pushing it to actually unhealthy levels. A few nuts or pulses are sufficient. This has been my diet (with spices and some pastry) for the last 40 or so years; still alive and well.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Thanks, that's a good point. I'll buy organic, in fact I think there's a service where I can have a box of organic veg delivered to me weekly.
nonotthereta@reddit
You can also get some organic chicken stock carcasses or lamb bones etc. delivered by the same kind of places (Riverford et al.) to use as a base for your soups. Full of nutrients we thrive on (e.g. proper collagen and amino acids), which will absolutely make this more of a rounded, complete diet.
Do_not_use_after@reddit
We use Riverford, but there are others that seem equally good. FWIW, we add Engervita to things anyway, then sneak the odd teaspoonful just to eat. It's rather nice!
Riovem@reddit
You'd be bored quite quickly and probably struggle to get all the nutrients you need (protein, fats, etc) but if you made a recipe that matched your macros then yeah I guess it would suffice.
I think the question is why? If you're doing this for weightloss you'll need strong willpower or you'll be on day 5 and your 15th bowl of soup and probably be struggling. If you're doing it to save money then it'd be affordable
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Why....that's a good question. Well, I do actually really like soup. I also like making it, the process and also the smell etc. Kinda makes my flat smell like home. It's not to save money although that would be a bonus I suppose. For fats and proteins I could stick some lentils in and butter the bread!?
Lucky-Remote-5842@reddit
Have you seen the meal prep subreddit?
Crochetqueenextra@reddit
I add to soups, tofu cubes or sausages cut up bacon bits halloumi cubes all done in the air fryer or a spoonful of rice all are good for variety.
Riovem@reddit
And yes you could stick lentils in, or meat if you're not veggie. I still think your love of soup will diminish if you're eating it for three meals a day, seven days a week, even if you're changing up the recipe every few days.
Riovem@reddit
You'll need a bit more than that. Why not look at having a breakfast with healthy fats and protein and then soup for two meals a day?
So maybe scrambled eggs on sourdough or smashed avo and poached eggs, or an omelette etc
RevolutionaryMail747@reddit
Vary the veg seasonally but always include carrot onion garlic and celery in your base. Bay leaves and any fresh or dried herbs. Leafy greens very important plus a protein which can be tofu, beans, lentils, dumplings, meat or fish ideally oily fish regularly and consider chestnuts, cheese, peanuts, squash or similar as you need all the micronutrients as well as long chain fatty molecules for overall mental health and well being. Chilli, fungi, peppers of all types and Worcestershire or mushroom ketchups or similar
Last_Light_9913@reddit
Nope, you need protein and fat.
blackcurrantcat@reddit
Could you maybe throw a boiled egg every day? My concern would be iron, and also the fact that you just need to eat something you need to use your teeth for once in a while to avoid that weird feeling of not having actually eaten anything for a while- this is where I would fall down.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Yes, I could do that. Have a boiled egg. I know what you mean, you kinda need something to chew on ...the bread would help with that though. I could even toast it.
blackcurrantcat@reddit
Honestly your mouth kind of makes noise that you haven’t chewed if you don’t for a few days
Anxious_wank@reddit
This was part of the NHS trial diet for people with diabetes a few years ago and if I remember it had good success, might be worth a Google.
Variation is key though, and unless there's an objection to meat, then throwing in chicken, mince etc into the soup shouldn't be an issue at all.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Oh was it! I'll look it up. Well, I'd use different veg and could add chicken yes.
ScunthorpeLass@reddit
You can always add beans and pulses instead of chicken if you don't fancy being a murderer.
PipalaShone@reddit
You can always add beans and pulses too, because they are nice. FIFY.
(I found this out when I was short of money; was hard to find a job after my 15-stretch).
Visible_Nothing_9616@reddit
I wonder why people make fun of vegans...
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
I don't know what this means
Camelopardalis_@reddit
Militant veganism, likely.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Indeed, a wholesome thread about soup and suddenly I'm accused of being a murderer. What a silly goose!
AussieHxC@reddit
Fucking vegans
Sincerely, a vegetarian.
No-Jicama-6523@reddit
Soup and shakes diet was more about calorie restriction for a period of time, causing weight loss and a sort of reset for T2D, fast weight loss has high impact.
Curlysar@reddit
I think homemade soup can be incredibly healthy - it’s a great way to incorporate loads of different veg. Variety would probably be needed, but I absolutely love soup season and we’ve got a soup maker that gets used regularly. Some veg actually release more nutrients when cooked too.
I do find it funny how many comments are saying “but PrOtEiN” when veg and legumes contain a fair bit. Fibre is actually a vital part of dietary requirements too, but not often given the attention it deserves. You’ll get plenty with soup though :)
No-Jicama-6523@reddit
Add some lentils or beans and you’d be extremely healthy. Diet would be balanced. Don’t need the fruit, there are grains it’s natural to put in soup, no need for bread. You could have quite a range of flavours.
Texture would be my downfall.
confuzzledfather@reddit
Agreed, everyone going on about protein seriously over estimates how much protein we need. Plenty enough from some legumes and pulses. Someone on this diet would likely be much healthier than most of us if they just vary the veg and beans a bit.
cfehunter@reddit
You'll want to make sure you eat enough protein and fibre. You can do that if you have the right selection of vegetables. You also need some fats in your diet, but again you can get that from plants easily.
I'm not a nutritionist, but it sounds like it should absolutely be doable if you sit down and calculate out the macro nutrients and vitamins you get from the different vegetable mixes.
PatientArugula7504@reddit
Aw OP you could literally be me, I adore soup. I lived off it at uni (although I often had porridge for breakfast) and often do now - I always have a supply in the freezer. I don’t eat meat but never had issues meeting protein goals as long as I added beans, lentils, nutritional yeast, etc. West African peanut stew is good if you like peanut butter
There are also so many varieties from the broths to blended soups to stews if you fancy more texture. Happy souping!
SherlockOhmsUK@reddit
And face, porridge is basically oat soup …
Party-Werewolf-4888@reddit
This is really impossible to answer without knowing more about you: your overall health and activity levels and your goals. A bowl of soup, some fruit and a slice of seeded bread is really low in calories. It's probably doable if you are a small person with a low calorie output, however if you are physically active you are probably going to feel pretty crap pretty quickly, especially if you aren't looking to lose weight. Even if you have a very low BMR, I'd imagine that many calories would be hard to sustain both physically and mentally.
Nutritionally, its probably a fairly sound diet in terms of micronutrients though. As I said above adding in some added protein by way of beans, legumes, lentils, tofu or meat would help and higher proteins supposedly helps with feeling full (i say supposedly because its never really helped me!)
Are you on a health kick, looking to save money or just looking to cut down? It all needs to be considered to answer this.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Well, I am quite small. 60kg but I'm usually 55kg. I'm very active, I walk my dogs at least 10 miles a day and my job is very physical. My body is very used to this though.
Perhaps I can add lentils to the soup and have some good quality buttered bread with each meal.
And as somebody has suggested yoghurt and fruit for breakfast.
Yes, it's more of a health kick. Soup is such an easy way to get a lot of vegetables into your body.
Party-Werewolf-4888@reddit
I'd say just listen to your body. If you start to feel rubbish you need to up them a bit, and with your exercise levels I wouldn't feel bad about making soup with butter and cream in (whereas I'm on the low fat spray!).
Ooh butter and bread, perfect. I could live off that alone!
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Yes! Although I think I'm going to feel better getting all this veg into me. I could try lots of fancy breads too with proper butter!
Sad-Lawfulness-1637@reddit
Always with proper butter. Life’s far to short to each marge
London-maj@reddit
Also, it’s better if you have chunky soup rather than blending it. It really fills you up as it takes longer to eat. I often have this for lunch. Very quick and nutritious.
Mikeytee1000@reddit
No, no protein for starters.
JoeDaStudd@reddit
If your bread is made with enriched flour and your using butter or a high fat spread then it should be easy to balance the nutrition.
Make sure you have beans and pulses to increase the protein and ensure you get enough fat.
oli_ramsay@reddit
You'll want a source of protein too. How long you plan to eat like this?
yellowswans@reddit
The best way to avoid getting fed up of eating the same thing would be to try and vary the toppings (croutons, seeds, nuts, some chili oil, cheese, herbs, etc). Adds to the cost and calories mind
nandos1234@reddit
It just sounds a bit depressing tbh. No variety in textures or tastes really.
Whulad@reddit
The life of a medievsl peasant
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Lol.... that's really funny because today I met a girl, she was really beautiful and healthy looking and I thought to myself 'god I feel like Baldrick next to this person'
essexboy1976@reddit
Is this part of your cunning plan to woo her? 😉
WatchingTellyNow@reddit
There are lots of different veg soup recipes, to give yourself plenty of variety.
London-maj@reddit
No, you need protein. Could you chop up some chicken in the soup?
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Yes, I could put chicken in for sure, or lentils?
London-maj@reddit
How about fruit and yogurt for breakfast, for variety and would fill you up?
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
I'm gonna do exactly this!
Inevitable_Dog_2200@reddit
Might not be your thing but I recently made neeps and tatties soup with was veg soup using turnip, potato and carrot, then after blending it I added cooked crumbled Haggis. It upped the protein and was really nice
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
That actually sounds amazing! I love haggis, neeps and tatties. I'll definitely try that. Cheers
Party-Werewolf-4888@reddit
For a cheaper protein source: try beans, lentils and legumes!
Metalicks@reddit
you could also use sumadeez.
Spiritual_Weather656@reddit
Beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas, broccoli, spinach, could even put some pasta in if too (wheat has proteins, but there's also gf ones with protein too from quinoa and lentils)
us-of-drain@reddit
Fat is really important in a diet, too. Maybe incorporate meats or cheese into it or something
Thoughtful_giant13@reddit
Shove some protein in there and mix up the veggies and you’re golden.
Lessarocks@reddit
Id ask where you’re getting g your protein from. There’s not much in what you’re proposing to eat. It would be OK short term but I do t think it’s sustainable.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
I think I'm gonna add some lentils or chicken to soup. Yoghurt for breakfast for calcium.
FakeNordicAlien@reddit
Obviously it depends what you put in your soup, but an average bowl of soup that’s just vegetables, no meats or fats or grains, typically has 100 calories or so. Maybe a bit less, maybe a bit more. You could double that by adding a grain - rice or barley, perhaps - and some kind of thickener (flour?) and maybe some cream, but it’s still not a high-calorie meal, and has very little protein.
A slice of seeded bread might be anywhere from 120-ish calories to 250 calories, depending on the kind of bread, and what size your slice is. If you’re asking about pre-sliced bread, something like Hovis Seed Sensations, that’s about 130 calories. Plus another 30 or so for a teaspoon of butter, if you’re planning on buttering your bread.
You said a slice of bread per day. (You might have meant per meal.) One slice of bread per day, plus butter, plus three average-sized bowls of an average vegetable soup come to 460 calories. Maybe as many as 760 if you add a grain and some cream to your soups. Hell, maybe even 1000 if you add a lot of grains and cream. But probably not more than that. It’s really hard to get enough calories just eating vegetables. (I have cancer and a very small stomach capacity, but still have to eat vegetables to get vitamins and keep everything moving, so I know this first-hand.)
I’m not willing to give advice about caloric needs without knowing you. Standard, one-size-fits-all advice says 2000 a day for women and 2500 for men, but that doesn’t take into account whether you’re 5’1 or 6’3, or whether you’re sedentary or walk 10 miles a day, or any other activities, not to mention age and other things that may affect metabolic rate. But you would be an extreme outlier if 1000 calories were enough to keep you in good health.
You also need more protein than you get from vegetable soup and bread. You could add some meat or tofu to your soup, which would help. Protein needs vary a lot from person to person, and are affected by a lot of things, both things we expect (age, sex, activity level) and things that we don’t (I found out that my expected protein needs are currently about 50% higher than normal because of radiation therapy, for example).
Unsolicited advice ahead, skip if you like: It sounds like you might be either experiencing financial difficulties, disordered eating, or that you’re new to meal-planning and not sure what your dietary needs are. If it’s the first, I suggest checking out food banks in your area, or apps like Too Good to Go or Olio, where you can get food cheaply at the end of the day. If it’s the third, you can try using an app like My Fitness Pal (or similar) to find out your rough nutritional needs (based on age, sex, body size and activity level) and to log your food and see what you’re getting vs what you need, and if that doesn’t help, you might see a dietician. If it’s the second…therapy is all I can suggest.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Thanks for your answer!
I'm a small, very active person, 60kg. I walk my dogs at least ten miles a day and have a very physical job - although my body is very used to this so my weight rarely fluctuates really. I suppose I just really like soup! I think it's a great way of getting a lot of veg into your body in one go.
The funny thing is when I was younger I was an endurance athlete which meant all my meals were set out for me. I didn't have a massive input - but I should know more about meal planning, yes!
Also now that I'm through the menopause I don't need as many calories as I once did.
I knew the protein thing would come up so yes I can add some chicken to the soup.
I'm not experiencing any financial issues, I don't and never have had an eating disorder BUT it has been noted by myself and professionals that I do have erratic eating patterns.
I hope your treatment goes well, it sounds like you're definitely getting your nutrition spot on!
Intrepid-Account743@reddit
Red lentils will thicken the soup and are a source of protein and B1(also peas and beans) which are good for the nervous system--but yeah, add a little chicken too, for safefty. Also might want to use a green leafy vegetable for vitamin A, C and K (bones, vision, immune system)as well as iron and magnesium.
Tomato soup one day, root veg the next, cabbage/spinach/brocolli the next...Vary the diet for all your essential vitamins and minerals.
Fibre and protein also very important. Seeds and nuts if you don't want meat.
APiousCultist@reddit
I'd pace yourself. Because the moment you truly overdo it you might find yourself with a lifelong hatred of soup - our brains tend to work that way.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Oh god that would be disastrous if I sickened myself of soup. Good point
BG3restart@reddit
You need some protein and some calcium.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
Chicken in the soup and yoghurt for breakfast?
BG3restart@reddit
That would work.
Organic_Reporter@reddit
You would have to hard to incorporate enough protein and fat, but plenty of legumes and butter on the bread might do it. There are certainly much unhealthier diets.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
What about those bagels and bread that are marketed as 'protein' boosters?
SerendipitousCrow@reddit
If you're doing it for frugality look into beans and lentils. If you're planning to blend the soup I bet you could get a ton in.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
No it's more for health ...I've started mashing it a bit so it's not blended but not super chunky.
KingKhram@reddit
It's very healthy, but you would get incredibly bored eating the same food for every meal
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
I dunno, I really like soup! I could try all different kinds of veg and different breads too
dwair@reddit
I've done it for months at a time in the past when I have been broke. It's more than doable and its healthy enough if you vary the veg and pulses, just dull.
robo_invader@reddit
Change up what veggies, grains, and proteins you use, and it's a more or less complete meal
mattcannon2@reddit
You'd probably want some protein too... Some sausage or chicken or something.
-myeyeshaveseenyou-@reddit
I’m a chef, I ate a lot of soup when I had my second child as he was breastfed and I’m allergic to life and my normal diet made him very very sick. I had to cut out wheat, egg, yeast and dairy. Now I did eat other things but usually had soup for lunch most days for about two years.
Different flavours is definitely going to help. Add in chunky veg and beans or lentils or even meat for texture variety. I am most likely autistic and eating the sane good every day for years on end is usually how I roll, however I think even I would struggle with it three times a day and nothing else.
Nutritionally speaking as long as you add some protein it’s a well balanced meal
TheCookieMonsterYum@reddit
Yeah if you mix it up can't see a problem. Lot healthier than whatothers eat. You can vary it with beans different veg, potato etc.
Obviously check that you're not having too much salt cream stock etc.
I'm not a nutritional expert though. I would recommend some solid food as well though. But nutrition sounds fine. I think there's diets similar to this. So might be worth looking at some ideas from those type of diets.
fiftyzedned@reddit (OP)
That's a good point re stock. I probably want to be using a good quality stock, maybe an organic one?
Bex1775@reddit
When I was newly a single mum and living in a new town money was incredibly tight, my evening meal every night was a tin of lentil soup with some cooked pasta thrown in and a bit of cheese grated on the top. It was enough for me, though home made would have been 100 times healthier (I was stressed and depressed at the time so a cheap tin of soup was better than nothing) Soup is a great meal, just make sure you check you're having the right combo of protein, carbs, calories etc 🙂
Princes_Slayer@reddit
Maybe have thing like soup & sandwich or salad and you could incorporate proteins / fats into the butty part.
Cheese-n-Opinion@reddit
There's a decent chance you'd end up lacking certain essential amino acids that aren't so abundant in plants. But if you were careful about that I think it'd be alright nutritionally, if boring.
ResplendentBear@reddit
Protein is going to be a big problem. You'd probably start running into a lack of fat in the diet too.
If you added in a couple of protein shakes and some fish oils it would be better. Or a piece of oily fish every day.
Successful-Theme2548@reddit
You don't need much fat and vegetable soup usually starts off by frying onions and carrots.
Nancy_True@reddit
I would doubt you’d be getting enough protein. Plus it probably wouldn’t be good for your mental health, I think you’d go a little crazy after a while.
Spiritual_Weather656@reddit
I love minestrone soup and it's what I live off when I'm sick, it's full of protein and a mix of vegetables.
I'm no nutritionist or dietician so I can't tell you what micro nutrients we need everyday and what you could possibly be missing, perhaps calcium? But you can put kale and broccoli in the soup (I love kale in minestrone).
If your soup is packed with a very wide variety of veggies I think it would be very healthy. I believe that healthy eating is variation. Eat the rainbow.
heartleaf1234@reddit
This is not for a long term lifestyle. You can do this for a few days, sure, but eventually you’ll likely end up binge eating. Aim for a balanced diet of carbs, fats, proteins, plenty of water and lots of fruits and vegetables (fresh, cooked, dried). Snack on fruit and veg with some protein (nuts, dairy, eggs). Soup is full of goodness, especially in autumn and winter is very comforting, aim for a variety of ingredients, including poultry and fish.
Pockysocks@reddit
If you varied the ingredients and made sure you still got enough protein, you'll be fine.
Icy-Hand3121@reddit
I've done this before OP, I used to have 4 slices of toast for breakfast then my evening meal would be soup, I'd cut up chicken breast and stick blend it into the veg soup just so I knew I'd be getting some protein in my diet. It was a good way to lose weight and seemed to improve my bowel movements with the added fibre from the vegetables.
I stopped doing it after a few weeks as it got boring eating the same meal.
elgrn1@reddit
Add bone broth and protein to make it a more balanced meal and get the necessary animo acids.
cuccir@reddit
Healthy is a term which can only be defined in relation to context and circumstances.
In terms of calories: it would be possible to get enough calories if you ate enough of the soup and had a good amount of buttered bread with it.
In terms of nutrients: you'd have plenty of vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates. But you'd struggle for protein, which might lead you to feel tired and over time would have an impact on health. You could include some beans or cheese in the soups to help correct this.
In terms of mental health, unless you are very unusual it would become dreary, difficult and depressing. I would be concerned about the well-being of someone who did this.
pikantnasuka@reddit
Long term? You're missing things you need so not very. As a weight loss tool it would work ok but you'd get so bored.
Rastapopolos-III@reddit
I'll say a prayer for your poor toilet. It doesn't deserve what it's about to receive.
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