Try These 6 Filling Soups

By Debra Rodzinak

With winter coming quickly and cold weather finally settling in, soup is a comfort food that many of us enjoy.  However, some people look at soup as a side dish to be eaten as a first course.  With these filling soups, the sandwich can now be replaced with a hearty and healthy substitute.

A healthy soup should add nutritious vegetables and protein to a meal with less than 600 milligrams of sodium and 5 or more grams of fiber.  These soups fit the bill and will satisfy even the pickiest palate.

Amazon Bean Soup

This beautiful soup is slam-packed full of nutritious vegetables such as spinach, carrots, and butternut squash.  Pinto beans add 11 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber.  Simple to prepare, a Dutch oven allows for easy clean up.

Quick French Onion Soup

Traditional French Onion soup is usually packed with fat and calories and high in sodium.  However, this healthier version uses chickpeas, low-sodium broth, and a bit of cheese.  With 18 filling grams of protein, this soup is less than 350 calories per serving.  Top this tasty soup with a piece of whole wheat toast to create a satisfying meal that will keep the body feeling full for hours.

Italian Peasant Soup

A quick-fix soup, this meal is perfect for busy people who have limited time.  With 10 simple ingredients, it only takes 30 minutes to create this filling soup.  Cabbage, beans, and cheese give this soup a healthy dose of antioxidants such as Vitamin K and Vitamin C while the cannellini beans up the protein and fiber content.

Vegetable Beef Barley Soup

For those who love meat with their meal, this tasty soup will satisfy the meat lover in the family.  A true comfort food, this flavor-filled soup contains less than 200 calories per serving.  Mixed vegetables, lean beef, and barley meld together to create a stew-like hearty meal.

Tortellini Zucchini Soup

For the pasta lover, this simple recipe will scratch that Italian itch.  The 200 calories per serving soup is lightened up by adding zucchini, carrots, and tomatoes to cheese-filled tortellini.  Lower the sodium by using a low-sodium veggie broth for a simple but tasty Italian treat.

Southeast Asian Salmon Soup

A new twist on an old Asian favorite, this soup backs Asian flavors into a protein packed bowl.  The noodles are filling, the salmon fillets are healthy, and a buttery texture adds a wonderful flavor.  For around 300 calories per serving, this fun soup has an astounding 20 grams of protein.