The Nutrients Behind Chicken Soup | Mom's Meals | Mom's Meals (2024)

Whether you’re feeling under the weather or simply craving the soothing concoction, chicken soup may be your perfect solution. But ever wonder just how nutritious this comfort food really is? Let’s take a closer look­ at its ingredients.

Broth

Especially when it comes to treating a cold or the flu, hydration is important. Staying hydrated is a daily necessity, as water and other fluids keep all systems in your body functioning properly. They carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells, aid digestion, prevent constipation, normalize blood pressure, regulate body temperature, and maintain electrolyte (sodium) balance, to name a few.

Chicken broth, a clear liquid, counts towards your hydration goals. Nutritionally, it’s rich in essential fatty acids and protein. Essential fatty acids, which the body cannot make on its own and which must come from the foods we eat, are a source of energy and major components of cell membrane structure. Proteins, often called the body’s building blocks, are used to build and repair tissues and help fight infection.

Chicken broth is also a rich source of minerals, including iron. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that supplies oxygen to muscles. Your body also needs iron to produce certain hormones.

Selenium is another nutrient found in chicken broth. Selenium is an essential component of various enzymes and proteins that help make DNA and protect against cell damage and infections.

Chicken

Probably the most popular of all white meats, chicken is an excellent source of lean, low-fat protein that contributes to muscle growth and development, and bone health. Chicken can also help support a healthy body weight as well as weight loss.

In terms of vitamins, chicken contains vitamin B-3 (also known as niacin), which helps keep your nervous system, digestive system and skin healthy, and vitamin B-6, which is important for normal brain development and for keeping your nervous system and immune system healthy. Eating poultry also adds selenium to your diet; the trace mineral that is also found in chicken broth.

Like turkey, chicken is high in tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps your body produce serotonin, the key hormone that stabilizes your mood, feelings of well-being and happiness.

Vegetables

The best chicken soup recipes are chock-full of veggies like carrots, celery and onions — all of which are rich in vitamins C and K, not to mention other antioxidants and minerals.

Vitamin C is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in your bones. It plays a role in controlling infections and healing wounds, and is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize harmful free radicals. Vitamin K helps produce certain proteins needed for blood clotting and building bones. Beta-carotene, found in carrots, is converted by the body into vitamin A, which is necessary for healthy eyes and skin.

Noodles

Chicken soup wouldn’t be the same without the noodles! These hearty strands are packed with carbohydrates — an important energy source that helps fuel your brain, kidneys, heart muscles and central nervous system.

Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose, which is converted to energy used to support bodily functions and physical activity. Of course, carbohydrate quality is important — if you’re making chicken soup from scratch, choose whole-grain noodles over white pasta.

Steam

While obviously not an ingredient, the steam from hot chicken soup can help increase blood flow and decrease the nasal congestion often experienced from a cold or the flu. So, while it won’t cure your infection, it may help you breathe easier. Steam also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect that can help relax your muscles and soothe the coughs and discomforts associated with cold and flu symptoms.

Mom's Meals® can help

Knowing the nutrients behind the foods we eat is essential for ensuring our bodies are getting we what need to stay healthy. Mom’s Meals offers menus for people with chronic conditions as well as selections for maintaining general health. No matter what you choose, our meals incorporate only the highest quality ingredients and include a complete listing of ingredients and nutritional information.

The Nutrients Behind Chicken Soup | Mom's Meals | Mom's Meals (2024)

FAQs

The Nutrients Behind Chicken Soup | Mom's Meals | Mom's Meals? ›

The best chicken soup recipes are chock-full of veggies like carrots, celery and onions — all of which are rich in vitamins C and K, not to mention other antioxidants and minerals. Vitamin C is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in your bones.

What are the benefits of chicken soup for dinner? ›

Chicken soup has been used to treat respiratory tract disorders, asthma and facial pain among other ailments. It hastens the removal of pathogens from the nose. Apart from this, a warm bowl of hearty chicken soup during the rains, at the comfort of your couch is maybe everything that you need.

Why is chicken soup nutritious? ›

Chicken is full of protein that helps support the immune system. It's also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, which boost immunity and help regulate digestion.

What are the main nutrients in soup? ›

Soup‐eaters had higher intakes of fiber, vitamin A, magnesium, iron and potassium. And overall, they got more servings of vegetables (notably, more dark greens, orange veggies and legumes).

Is soup a nutritious meal? ›

Soup is chock full of the micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, needed to nourish your body and support its various processes. Micronutrients are an important part of every person's diet, and consuming enough of them is essential for combatting diseases such as Alzheimer's, heart disease and cancer.

Does chicken soup really help when you're sick? ›

“In particular, chicken is an excellent source of the amino acid cysteine, which has been shown to help thin mucus and help you manage cold and flu symptoms.” The broth that serves as the base of chicken soup can also provide fluids and electrolytes that help the body fight off infections, Collier noted.

Why is chicken soup good for stomach? ›

Chicken soup is a staple for upset stomachs for a reason. It provides vitamins, protein and other nutrients, and it can help keep you hydrated. You don't need to use a lot of different ingredients to get the benefits either. This basic chicken soup recipe can help you feel better in no time.

Is it healthy to eat chicken soup every day? ›

Known to all, chicken is considered to be a great source of protein and amino acids that are really good for the growth of muscles and other tissues. Hence, a bowl of chicken soup can be a great addition in your daily diet.

Why is soup so healing? ›

This may be due to the numerous nutrients involved in increasing immune defenses, which dissolve in water while cooking chicken in broth, including essential amino acids, water-soluble B vitamins, minerals such as iron, selenium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, which not only from meat, but also from bones, skin ...

Why is chicken soup good for immunity? ›

Thats right – its predominantly the bone broth base that a chicken soup is made from that has the healing properties. Bone broth is incredibly nourishing and supportive to our digestive tracts and immune system. It is high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and gelatin – which acts to heal and seal the gut.

Which soup has the most nutrients? ›

Broth-Based Soups With Veggies and Protein

Think chicken and vegetable, turkey and black bean chili, or lentil. The liquid will fill you up for relatively few calories, while the fiber from the vegetables and the protein from the chicken or beans will help keep you satisfied until your next meal or snack.

Do you absorb more nutrients from soup? ›

Studies have shown that certain nutrients are more easily absorbed by the gut after they've been cooked. An example of this is lycopene, the antioxidant in tomatoes. Other work has shown that some nutrients, including folate, are destroyed with heat and therefore lost.

Is soup healthier than a sandwich? ›

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule-a creamy clam chowder will pack in more calories than a small turkey sandwich crammed with vegetables, for instance. But as a rule, soup is the better choice. Why? Soup has a high water content, which can help you feel full.

Is chicken soup healthy? ›

Chicken broth is also a rich source of minerals, including iron. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that supplies oxygen to muscles. Your body also needs iron to produce certain hormones.

Can soup replace a meal? ›

Thick soups that carry not only the broth, but also toppings that make them sumptuous, can be had as your dinner. These kind of all-in-one soups, that carry a number of condiments on their side, and ingredients in them, are also a great way of utilizing leftovers.

Can a soup be a meal? ›

Soup is commonly a starter in a three-course meal or a tasty lunch served with crusty bread on a cold winter's day. That may be so, , but did you know it is perfectly acceptable to eat soup as a main course? As unlikely as it sounds, it is completely true and most definitely scrumptious.

Is chicken soup good at night? ›

On top of physical benefits, chicken soup may also benefit your mood. Chicken is high in tryptophan, another amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin and enhance your mood and aid in a good night's sleep.

Is soup good enough for dinner? ›

Keeps You Satiated: Soup can help to keep you satiated, as it is a liquid-based meal that is typically high in water and fibre content. The water and fiber in soup can help to fill you up, making you feel less hungry. Additionally, soup is often low in calories, which can also help to keep you feeling full.

Why is chicken good for dinner? ›

A food rich in protein, chicken can help with weight management and reduce the risk of heart disease. Chicken contains the amino acid tryptophan, which has been linked to higher levels of serotonin (the “feel good” hormone) in our brains.

What is chicken soup a good remedy for? ›

Chicken soup has been a popular home remedy for the common cold since at least the 12th century. Eating chicken soup while you have a cold will not do you any harm, but it will not cure your cold. Drinking warm liquids, such as soup, may give you relief from your symptoms for a short time.

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