Vegetable-based soups are a powerful weight-loss tool.
During the 1980s, the cabbage soup diet was all the rage. For those of you who don't remember, it involved eating little more than, well, cabbage soup, and quickly fell out of favor as a weight-loss technique. Recently, however, it has enjoyed a small resurgence. But the truth of the matter is, you can drop pounds by eating many different types of soups, and by adding more vegetables, such as spinach, to your diet on a daily basis.
Instructions
1. Choose what types of soup you want to eat before a meal. By filling up on water, the main component of soup, you have less room in your stomach for more calorie-laden fare. Lessen the hunger signals to your brain, which may actually be thirst signals, by having broth-based soups. Eschew creamy or fattening types, such as those made with a great deal of cheese, bacon or sausage. Avoid starches in your soups as well, such as corn and potatoes. Add as many vegetables that aren't starchy as you can, such as tomatoes, peppers and broccoli. Add flavor and variety by using different spices, such as pepper, cumin or chili powder.
2. Prepare your spinach to be consumed before your meal. How the spinach is prepared is just as important as the type of soup you eat. Avoid eating it with creamy dressings or saut ing it in a great deal of oil or butter. Use only a minimal amount of butter or oil when saut ing, and add flavor using sea salt or other spices. Pair it with a little protein in the form of a low-fat but pungent cheese, such as feta.
3. Consume both your soup and spinach before your regular meal. Count your spinach as one of the several servings of vegetables you need daily. Avoid waiting until after you've eaten most of your dinner before having these healthy items. Have soup or spinach as a snack between meals if you find yourself becoming hungry.
Tags: before your, cabbage soup, great deal, soup spinach, your spinach