January is National Soup Month

Approximately ten billion bowls of soup are consumed by Americans every year. Soup has been popular from its beginning in Greece in 600 B.C. when it was considered the first fast food. The Greeks sold soup as "fast food" on the street using lentils, beans and peas as the chief ingredients.

There are several theories as to the origins of the word soup. Some people believe that the word "soup" stems from the word "sop". People would pour broth over a slice of bread which would "sop" up the broth. The word soup possibly developed from this. Others believe the word soup stems from the slurping sound while sipping the liquid from the spoon. Another possibility could be the word "sup" which means to eat the evening meal; this even may be where our word "supper" comes from.

Coming in from out of the cold to a tantalizing, hot bowl of your favorite soup is a great way to warm up. It's one of America's comfort foods through the long, cold days of winter which makes January one of the best months to be National Soup Month. But soup shouldn't just be eaten for one month; there are so many benefits for eating soup all year long.

When You're Sick

Soup, of course, can't cure the common cold or the flu but it can help. Scientists have discovered that eating soup can loosen the mucus through the nose that helps relieve congestion and it also acts as an anti-inflammatory by hindering the movement of immune system cells that contribute in the body's inflammatory reaction. It also helps keep your body hydrated and gives your body the calories for the energy to fight the virus your body is being attacked by.

If you're worried whether there is a difference between canned or homemade soup when you're sick, you can stop fretting. Researchers at the University of Nebraska compared the two versions and found that many (unfortunately not all) worked just as well. The important ingredients to look for in a soup when you're sick is vegetables and noodles for the nutrients and whether it's made with chicken broth which contains vitamins and minerals.

When You're with Family

Preparing, cooking and eating homemade soup as a family is an experience that every family should try to make into a monthly event. Not only will this help your family work together but more importantly it will create warm, loving memories for all of you.

In March 2000 Harvard University published a finding that families who eat together most or all days of the week ate more healthfully. This study showed that family meals caused them to consume higher amounts of nutrients and consumed less overall fat. If that doesn't convince you, maybe you will be persuaded by the fact that children who eat with their families also do better in school. A survey showed that teens that ate with their families tend to be happier with their current life and their outlook for the future.

When You're Limited for Time

Canned soup is one of the perfect meals to have when your time is limited because it's already prepared and ready to be heated either by stove or microwave. Your typical can of soup can last in your pantry for months if not over a year.

But if homemade soup is the way you'd rather go that can be easy to make as well. Not only is it easy to prepare for all different levels of cooks but it's easy to freeze for future meals as well. An excellent and simple way to cook homemade soup is to throw all the ingredients into a slow cooker. The soup can cook while you're at work or at play. Imagine coming home to a warm, satisfying meal that makes your whole house smell incredible. There are quite a few websites that have recipes for making soup in your slow cooker. Keep in mind that to keep the soup's freshness and flavor do not freeze homemade soup for more than three months.

When You Need A Healthy Meal

Soup is a wonderful way to create a healthy meal all in one pot. In one bowl you can have a mixture of vegetables, pastas, meats, and beans. Believe it or not, there are recipes for fruit soups as well. Fruit soups are as refreshing in the summer as hot soups are warm and comforting in the winter.

There are quite a few websites, including the Mayo Clinic, that have lists and recipes of healthy soups. These soups are chock full of vitamins and minerals. A tip to get as many nutrients as possible is to make your soup as colorful as possible with many different vegetables. This is how you'll get the broadest range of nutrition. Envision being able to get your daily allowance of vegetable or fruits in with one meal.

When You're on a Budget
Soup is also a great meal to prepare if you're on a budget. There is one soup that is so relatively inexpensive that some college students live on it: Ramen Noodles. These soups which are not in cans but in bag-type packages or foam cups can be found either in the soup aisle or the ethnic food aisle depending on your grocery store.

Other cheap soups that can be eaten alone or mixed in to add to a soup you're already making are Campbell's condensed soups. These soups can be sold cheaper than other soups because they've eliminated the water from their soup which is added in when you heat the soup on the stove or in the microwave.

Many people will enjoy soup for many different reasons but since January is National Soup Month why don't you and your family grab yourselves a steaming hot bowl of your favorite soup, nestle with your loved ones and enjoy. It's always fun to share some laughs and create new memories around a crackling fire or your kitchen table.