A nutritious soup is essential to warm you this winter, whilst providing you with a nourishing, enjoyable meal with delicious flavour. This is easy to prepare using fresh produce and wholesome ingredients. Here are the ingredients for a simple potatoe and leek soup, and following this, is an explanation of how you can benefit from its ingredients.
Ingredients
Large leeks (chopped)
Large potatoes (peeled and chopped)
Onion (chopped)
Chicken stock
Seasoning
Cooking
Add the potatoes, leeks and onions to a pot
Add the hot stock
Cook until the potatoes are tender
Then liquidize in a blender or food processor.
Season to taste
Serve with crusty bread – whole meal or wholegrain
The fresh produce in this recipe provides you with valuable nutrition:
Potatoes
Potatoes provide starch.
Starch provides carbohydrates as your main source of energy, and so should be significant as part of a healthy balanced diet. Starch also contains fibre. Fibre can help keep the digestion system healthy, and help us feel full. This can help with losing weight. Sweet potatoes, which you may choose to add to your soup, may help reduce the cholesterol in your blood.
Leeks
A close relative of onions and garlic, their mild onion like flavour works well in soups, and provides you with vitamin A.
Vitamin A in your diet supports healthy blood cell development, keeping the skin and some of the linings of the body healthy, such as the nose. It also assists with oxygen flow, and white blood cells that fight infection, serving your immune system, to fight infections. Vitamin A also helps the tissues in your eyes that detect light and color, aiding vision in low light conditions.
Onion
Onions are high in vitamin C, a good source of fiber, and add taste.
Vitamin C aids in the protection of cells and keeps them healthy. Vitamin C maintains healthy connective tissue, supporting other tissues and organs in the body, along with wound healing.
Chicken stock
Opt for low fat, organic chicken stock, as this is healthier for you whilst adding just as much flavour to the soup.
Seasoning
Season with herbs and spices, rather than salt, as this can raise your blood pressure and put you at an increased risk of health problems. Seasoning with herbs and spices will also add taste to the soup, whilst providing you with a variety of vitamins and minerals that promote your health.
Wholegrain or Wholemeal bread
Wholegrain or wholemeal bread, granary and seeded varieties, will give you starch as a main source of energy. It is also high in fibre, which helps you to feel full for longer. It digests slower than white bread, and aids the digestion process, whilst also suggested to lower risk of diseases. If you enjoy white bread, opt for a higher fibre one.
Enjoy this winter warming simple soup, and benefit from its many advantages and benefits for your body, simple and easy to make whilst providing you with a variety of vegetables vitamins and minerals.
