National Soup It Forward Day
National Soup it Forward Day falls on today, March 3rd!
This day encourages us to deliver love and kindness by the bowlful. We all know a warm cup of kindness comes in many forms. Just as the recipes grow and provide a nourishing warmth, so can National Soup it Forward Day. When making one of your favorite soups at home, Soup it Forward. Deliver a healing pot of your delicious soup to a family or friend in need. Perhaps they have been ill or down on their luck. Whatever the situation, a little of your home cooking and a visit will be well appreciated.
What is a “Superfood”?
While not an official nutritional category, superfoods do have a unique set of qualities that set them apart from other food groups. Superfoods help promote health by increasing your immune function and decreasing your chance of disease progression. Each superfood has different nutritional properties, but overall, they’re associated with:
- Heart health
- A strong immune system
- Cancer prevention
- Reduced inflammation
- Lower cholesterol
What makes a “Superfood”?
Superfoods are, in a sense, exactly what they sound like: a category of foods that are super-healthy. But not every healthy food is a superfood. Superfoods are those that offer exceptional health benefits, beyond what you’d expect based on just their nutritional profile. In particular, superfoods are rich in:
Antioxidants
These natural compounds protect your cells from damage and may lower the risk of heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
Minerals
These essential nutrients (calcium, potassium, iron, etc.) help your body perform at its highest level.
Vitamins
It’s better to get these organic compounds from natural foods rather than taking a supplement if possible.
Fiber
Fiber helps decrease cholesterol, prevent heart disease and control glucose in Type 2 diabetes.
Flavonoids
Found in plants, flavonoids have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic
properties.
Healthy Fats
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, a.k.a. “good fats,” help lower your cholesterol and prevent heart disease and stroke.
Superfood Soup Recipes
Looking to incorporate these superfoods into your diet? Try soups! Make a bowl for yourself, for a friend, or for a party to celebrate Soup It Forward day with these superfood recipes!
Beet Soup
Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, this beet soup is a super easy and tasty way to try this superfood!
Garlic Soup
This flavorful veggie is known to boost immunity, work as an anti-inflammatory, improve cardiovascular health and more! If you’re a garlic lover, check out this tasty recipe!
Lentil Soup
A well-known favorite! These little low-cal legumes are high in protein, which is vital for cellular repair! They’re also loaded with folate, iron and potassium.
Pumpkin Soup
This Thanksgiving favorite is for more than just pie. Pumpkin is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that protect your eyes from age-related issues like macular degeneration and cataracts. Pumpkin is also loaded with antioxidants and potassium, which can help prevent heart disease. One cup of pumpkin contains 16% of your daily recommended amount of potassium. Here is a great recipe for pumpkin soup!
Reference:
Cleveland Clinic: Link
– Ansley King, GatorCare Intern
Want more?
Check out our previous edition of Food for Thought!
February isn’t just about celebrating love—it’s also American Heart Month, a time to focus on one of the most important organs in your body. Learn how to keep your heart healthy with our previous edition of Food for Thought!
GATORCARE MEMBER PROGRAM
Schedule a nutrition consultation today!
Having a day packed with responsibilities can leave little time to focus on fueling one’s body throughout the day. Learn how to fuel your day using some simple tricks with our previous edition of Food for Thought!
