The #1 Best Soup to Lower Cholesterol, Says Dietitian
Maybe you've been told by your doctor that you have high cholesterol, or perhaps you know you're at a higher risk so you're trying to monitor your levels. Whatever the reason may be, you're likely now trying to learn all you can about lifestyle changes that can help lower cholesterol.
While things like regular exercise, medication, and limiting your alcohol consumption can help, your diet plays a role as well! With the cold winter months here, you can carefully choose some warm, cozy foods like soup that will also help you meet your health goals.
For example, according to our medical expert Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility, one of the best soups you can have for lowering your cholesterol is a homemade lentil soup.
You can control your levels of sodium
People often reach for canned soups on the shelf because they're both affordable and easy to make. However, a lot of these canned options are packed full of sodium. Because of this, Manaker suggests using your at-home chef skills to make yourself a bowl of lentil soup.
"Making this soup homemade allows you to control the amount of sodium included," says Manaker. "Lentils are rich in heart-healthy nutrients like potassium and fiber, so eating them can help support efforts to lower cholesterol levels."
Here are the Drinking Habits Science Says Help With High Cholesterol.
You can avoid processed meats
Another benefit of making a homemade lentil soup is that you can control the specific ingredients you cook with.
"This lentil soup should be free from highly processed meats (like sausage) and can include a variety of vegetables like carrots and kale for even more nutrients," says Manaker.
According to a study from Current Atherosclerosis Reports, processed meats may negatively impact your cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. So if you're trying to keep your cholesterol levels low, it may be a good idea to keep your soup full of veggies and avoid processed meat when possible as Manaker mentions.
Whether you're making a bowl of soup for a cozy night in or need to bring a batch to a holiday gathering, cooking up a hearty lentil soup with broth and vegetables can be a delicious way to keep your cholesterol levels in check.
For even more soup tips, read these next:
