Recently at my dentist's office I told one of the assistants that she looked great. Her skin glowed, her hair bounced and her body looked lean and firm. "Thanks. I'm killing myself doing that P90X program," she said.
Oh. P90X. In case you haven't heard of it, it's an intensive (some think masochistic) home exercise program that relies on cross-training: a mix of cardio, strength training, yoga, and stretching. As for the diet, it's high protein and low-to-no carbs. Think skinless chicken and egg whites. If you even fantasize about pasta or potatoes, you need to drop and do 50 push-ups.
The assistant added, "You should see my husband though. He has lost 12 pounds in two weeks. He looks amazing!"
"He's doing the P90X too?" I asked.
"No. He's on the soup diet," she said.
"What's the soup diet?" I asked.
"Every Sunday I make a big batch of turkey and veggie soup to bring for lunch. My husband has been eating the soup instead of going out to lunch, and the weight has fallen off! So now he tells everybody he's on the soup diet," she said.
Hmmm. Exercise torture or soup. Which will it be? Well, that's for you to decide. Personally, I like to exercise moderately every day and eat soup. And I not only fantasize about potatoes, I eat them too, roasted and dipped liberally in ketchup.
But I have to agree to that soup, whether or not you call it a "diet," does help you lose weight. Broth-based, low-fat soups, chock-full of veggies help fill you up without packing on the calories. Indeed, studies have shown that people who eat 1 1/2-2 cups of vegetable soup before a meal, consume 135 fewer calories at the meal.
Whether or not it's to keep your New Year's resolution to lose weight, remember these healthy tips when making soups: Opt for low-sodium broth-based soups instead of fattier cream-based ones. Add lots of nutritious and water-dense veggies such as leafy greens and winter squash. Make fiber-rich soups with beans which you'll digest more slowly. Boost flavor with fresh herbs and bold spices instead of salt or cheese. Choose lean protein such as chicken, turkey and tofu.
This Roasted Yellow Bell Pepper and Thyme Soup is wonderful in many ways: it's broth-based, low in sodium and high in fiber and beneficial vitamins. The main flavor enhancer is fresh thyme, a robust, earthy, aromatic herb that is especially delicious in soups and stews. It's strong, so be sure to taste as you go. And if you choose to use dried thyme, use less, as the flavor is more concentrated.
Roasted Yellow Bell Pepper and Thyme Soup