Nothing beats a hardy can of soup when you’re feeling ill or after you’ve had a long day of working or playing in the cold weather. Regardless of when you opt for a warm bowl, the best soup is comforting and leaves you feeling full of deliciousness.
Unlike most of the foods we enjoy on a daily basis, soup has existed for thousands of years. In fact, historians believe that the first bowl of soup was prepared and eaten around 20,000 B.C. Today, there are more than 250 varieties of soup and you can find this food staple served in nearly every country around the world.
However, some people feel soup isn’t a ‘real’ meal. According to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 41, less than half of respondents (45%) say they feel soup qualifies as a real meal. Other foods such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches also fell into this category as less than 40 percent of respondents feel PB&J’s qualify as a meal.
Whether or not you feel soup is a meal, chances are you were fed soup as a kid, especially when you were sick. Although this is a fairly unproven method for combatting illnesses such as colds and flu infections, eating a hearty bowl of soup is comforting. And recent survey data suggests parents are willing to try various measures, proven or not, to keep their kids from getting sick in the first place.
More than half of parents turn to unproven remedies to help prevent colds or treat colds in their kids.The study found that 51 percent of parents give their kids vitamins and supplements to try and help prevent colds from impacting their kids. Of the respondents, 15 percent claim to give their kids zinc while 11 percent prefer echinacea to aid in staving off colds. Where parents have different prevention tactics they can all agree that basic personal hygiene is one of the keys to staying healthy as 99 percent of the parents surveyed say they emphasize cleanliness when their children contract a cold.
As parents, we can all agree that we’re willing to try almost anything, as long as it’s safe, to help keep our kids from coming down with another dreaded cold. But, would you try algae to help combat a cold? Scottish scientists from ScotBio recently began investigating the antiviral properties of waste molecules from the superfood spirulina. Spirulina is already a common ingredient in various supplements and foods, and scientists claim there have been some “promising initial results” during their trials. Sounds like chicken noodle soup could soon be replaced as the go-to treatment for colds and flu.
Ready to feel warm and cozy? StudyFinds did the digging, consulting 10 food review websites in an effort to bring you the best soup available on store shelves today. Our list is comprised of the top four most frequently recommended soups from across these sites. As always, feel free to share your favorites in the comments section below!
The List: Best Soup According to Experts
1. Amy’s Organic Lentil Vegetable
We’ll be the first to tell you that comprising a list of the best soup wasn’t easy but coming in at the top spot is none other than Amy’s Organic Lentil Vegetable. This blend was clearly a favorite amongst the sites we consulted and for good reason. Amy’s is dedicated to providing fresh soups using the finest ingredients.
“Organic and often driven by a strong bill of vegetables, Amy’s selections are a must for those who are after more healthful soups. The lentil vegetable and hearty rustic Italian vegetable are among the best, but there are tons of riffs borrowing from cuisines all over the world,” explains The Manual.
This option is also available in a low sodium version, making it all the more likely to suit your specific taste. Still, Amy’s doesn’t skimp on the veggies, and this classic take on lentil soup gives you the protein you need as well. “We like that the soup is made from wholesome ingredients, is completely vegan, and only has 270mg sodium per cup (only 450mg sodium per can). This choice is also packed with 7 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and has no added sugar,” raves Good Housekeeping.
Canned soups have also come under fire for some of the materials used to construct the cans. Amy’s addresses that issue and it’s just one more reason why they produce some of the best soup available on shelves today. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a nutritionist who doesn’t recommend Amy’s. That’s because these flavor-packed soups are packaged in BPA-free cans, preservative-free (yes, as in zip, zero, nothing-to-scan-here) and low in sodium,” adds Men’s Journal.
2. Progresso Southwest Style Black Bean and Vegetable
This simple yet delicious soup from Progresso was a favorite among reviewers for several reasons. And, the good news is, this soup could be great for weight loss.
“The Southwest Style variety is hearty and delicious, only containing 120 calories per cup and 2 grams of fat. Plus, there is 450mg sodium per cup and 6 grams of dietary fiber which meets our criteria. Personal note: I used to eat this soup almost every day for lunch when I was on my weight loss journey; it tastes so good, is low-calorie, but is also packed with nutrients and fiber that really helped keep me full and satisfied,” explains Good Housekeeping.
Progresso Southwest Style Black Bean and Vegetable is a filling meal. But, reviewers love this soup because you can doctor it up to create an amazing dish. “Progresso Southwest Style Black Bean and Vegetable Soup is loaded with red bell peppers, green peppers, corn, tomatoes, and cilantro. All those veggies mix with the chicken broth and black beans to create a winner. Add a dollop of sour cream on top and you’ll be in soup heaven,” writes Mashed.
You can’t really go wrong with Progresso soups, no matter which one you choose. Progresso’s dedication to offering consistently good, wholesome canned soup is a big reason why they have some of the best soup. “If you want a canned soup brand that mimics what mom used to make growing up, Progresso is it. You can feel good about the textures, quality, and consistency of their soups, which include no artificial flavors or coloring. These are wholesome, nurturing cans,” explains Tasting Table.
3. Campbell’s Well Yes! Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato
Campbell’s Well Yes! is a healthy line of soups offered by one of the oldest brands in the canned soup game. And reviewers absolutely loved Campbell’s Well Yes! Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato soup because Campbell’s packed these soups full of nutrients.
“Per Campbell’s, the goal behind launching this line was to make convenient soups without sacrificing healthy ingredients. That’s meant the addition of familiar but wholesome ingredients like whole grains, meats, and vegetables, without any dyes or artificial colors,” explains Tasting Table.
This line of soups from Campbell’s comes in a tin can that’s designed specifically for sipping so you don’t necessarily need a spoon. Still, you can be sure you’re getting a hearty meal, spoon or no spoon.
“This butternut squash and potato mix is a hearty vegetable soup that you can prepare in the microwave in just two minutes. Plus, you’ll get 40 percent of your daily vegetables in just one little can,” writes She Knows.
The low-calorie count combined with the hearty servings of veggies makes this soup a clear choice to make the list. “The entire 11 ounce container of the Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato variety only has 170 calories, 2.5 g fat, and no added sugar. The whole container has 590mg sodium, but per cup, it’s only about 430mg,” explains Good Housekeeping.
4. Pacific Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
This soup from Pacific Foods is simple and delicious, that’s what people love about it. Pacific Foods soups can’t really be considered canned soup since it doesn’t come in cans, it comes in boxes.
“As soon as fall hits, I find myself stocking up on this boxed Pacific Organic Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup ($4). I heat some up on the stove while I make grilled cheese ‘croutons’ in my sandwich press. I throw the grilled cheese squares into the soup and add some extra red pepper flakes. It’s my favorite cold-weather meal,” writes POPSUGAR.
The roasted red pepper and tomato combination in this soup just sounds like it would be delicious alongside a grilled cheese sandwich. Pacific Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup is also an excellent option when you need to sip on something warm and tasty. “If you want to slurp on something comforting and nutritious, you can’t go wrong with Pacific’s creamy roasted red pepper and tomato soup,” writes She Knows.
Whether you choose the roasted red pepper and tomato soup or opt for another flavor, you can rest easy knowing Pacific Foods is dedicated to sustainability. This level of dedication shines through in their soup. “Notably, they also adopt sustainable practices to ensure kinder treatment of people, animals, and the planet in the making of their products, so you can enjoy nourishing your body with their soup while they focus on sustaining the environment when making it,” writes Tasting Table.
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Sources:
- Good Housekeeping
- Sporked
- Tasting Table
- The Spruce Eats
- The Manual
- Eat This, Not That
- Mashed
- Men’s Journal
- POPSUGAR
- She Knows.com
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
