Why Is Low-fat Soup Healthy?

Soup is a common lunch and dinner food, often accompanied by bread or crackers. Many low-fat varieties exist and these are often packed with protein, vitamins, potassium and fiber. Soup is mostly liquid, which tends to fill you up, allowing you to consume fewer total calories. It is easy to make your own healthy, low-fat soup.

Low-Fat Vegetable Soups

The key to low-fat vegetable soups is to use chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth or tomato juice as a base. These soups are healthy because vegetables contain vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. To make a vegetable soup, consider whether you want it to have a predominant vegetable or to be a true mix. Potato, celery, tomato, broccoli, onion, beet and cauliflower are types of vegetable soups that require few, if any, additional vegetables. For a mixed vegetable soup, consider such ingredients as tomatoes, potatoes, okra, corn, yellow onions, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, spinach and cabbage.

Low-Fat Meat Soups

Low-fat beef and pork soups are rich in flavor and contribute protein and minerals. Prepare with a beef-broth base and add tender cuts of low-fat meat. Most meat soups contain one or more types of vegetables, typically potatoes, onions, celery, peas or carrots, which further add to the nutritional value. Adding beans gives meat soups a fiber boost.

Low-Fat Fish and Seafood Soups

Many people don't consider low-fat fish and seafood soups when craving soup, but these flavorful dishes provide protein, minerals and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Cooks.com recommends a seafood soup based on crushed tomatoes with added shrimp, scallops and crab. If this sounds overly ambitious, try making a simple fish soup using a fresh fish fillet, chicken broth, carrots and white onions. Oyster soup can be made from a skim milk base, qualifying it as a low-fat soup rich in taste.

Low-Fat Chicken Soups

Chicken soup is low-fat when made with chicken broth and chicken breast meat. Use a low-sodium broth for maximum healthy benefit. Carrots, celery and green onions are excellent additions, while whole-grain noodles contribute fiber and vitamins. Chicken soup is rich in protein. Add fresh herbs and spices to boost antioxidant content.

Low-Fat Soup Tips

To make an existing soup recipe lower in fat, eliminate ingredients such as butter, cream and whole milk. Use broth and thicken with pureed beans, flour or cornstarch, if needed. Blend mashed potatoes or instant potatoes into weak soups to thicken them without adding fat, suggests the book "12,167 Kitchen and Cooking Secrets."