Soup's on! Dreamstime/TNS

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A bowl of soup can be the perfect meal. But the time required for it to simmer for hours on the stovetop is a luxury we don’t always have.

Ready-to-eat soup to the rescue! Prepared soups, however, are one of the highest sodium-containing foods at the grocery store.

Fortunately, many soup companies have been attempting to create tasty soups with a lower sodium content; therefore, enjoying a premade soup on occasion can fit into a healthy eating plan.

Once you’re aware of a soup’s sodium content, another important aspect to keep in mind is the serving size. The serving size for soups is considered one cup, but it’s not uncommon for people to eat an entire can in a sitting.

However, by doing so, you’ll be increasing the nutrients you’re consuming — both beneficial and, more importantly, those you should be limiting, such as sodium and saturated fat. Adding additional low sodium foods will help provide a filling meal that doesn’t go overboard in those limited nutrients.

Here are a few ideas to boost the health benefits of supermarket soup:

Check the base: To help keep the saturated fat in check, look for broth-based instead of cream-based soups.

Round out the meal: To enjoy ready-to-eat soups and have a satisfying meal, consider adding whole-grain crackers and fruit to your meal. These will help fill you up while boosting nutrition.

Use leftovers: If you have any leftover veggies or beans in the refrigerator, or any frozen veggies, consider adding them to the soup as it heats. This addition boosts both the dietary fiber and the protein content, and may keep you feeling fuller longer.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1-800-829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com.

© 2022 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.