The main ingredients of cream of broccoli soup are milk or cream and broccoli. While not abundant in any nutrients, a serving of this soup can help you meet some daily macronutrient and micronutrient requirements. A serving of canned cream of broccoli soup contains preservatives that greatly increase the sodium content. Aim to consume fresh cream of broccoli soup if possible.
Calories
A 1/2-cup serving of cream of broccoli soup weighing 124 g contains 91 calories. Adults generally need at least 2,000 calories a day, so a serving of cream of broccoli soup provides about 5 percent of this amount.
Carbs
Most of the caloric value in cream of broccoli soup comes from carbs. Each 1/2-cup serving contains 12 g, or about 48 calories, from this macronutrient. A 2,000-calorie diet calls for 225 to 325 g of carbs. Cream of broccoli soup contains about 1 g of dietary fiber -- a carb the body can't digest. Fiber can help manage cholesterol and blood sugar levels and may prevent colon cancer.
Fat
A 1/2-cup serving of cream of broccoli soup contains 5 g of total fat, with about 3.5 g of unsaturated fats and 1.5 g of saturated fat. Unsaturated fats are healthy and can help reduce cholesterol, while saturated fats can increase blood cholesterol levels. Cream of broccoli soup is low in dietary cholesterol, with just 5 mg per 1/2-cup serving.
Protein
Each 1/2-cup serving of cream of broccoli soup contains 2 g of protein, a nutrient the body needs to build and repair tissue and promote blood health. A diet of 2,000 calories a day should include about 50 to 175 g of protein, so a serving of cream of broccoli soup provides about 4 percent of a typical adult's minimum daily protein requirement.
Sodium
Cream of broccoli is very high in sodium, with 750 mg per 1/2-cup serving. Sodium is a micronutrient the body requires to control nerve impulses and muscle contractions, as well as to help balance fluid levels in cells. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, however, and adults should generally limit their sodium intake as much as possible. Aim to keep sodium intake under 1,500 mg a day, recommends the American Heart Association.
Vitamins and Minerals
Cream of broccoli is not particularly high in any vitamins or minerals, but contains about 6 percent the daily value for most adults for vitamin A and 4 percent the daily value for iron. Vitamin A includes a group of compounds that help maintain healthy vision, skin and teeth, while iron supports immune system health by transporting oxygen to red blood cells.
References
- The Food Timeline; FAQs: Soups & Stews; July 2011
- USDA: Nutrient Data Laboratory; Search; Campbell Soup Company, Cream of Broccoli
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Vitamins and Minerals
- MayoClinic.com; Dietary Fats: Know Which Types to Choose; February 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet; November 2009
- American Heart Association; Sodium (Salt or Sodium Chloride); August 2011
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