Soup is one of the coziest foods to eat in the fall and winter seasons and, with a little know-how, one of the easiest to modify to meet any dietary need.
Though the word "soup" comes from an etymology that includes the Latin word for "bread soaked in broth," your soup doesn't have to be high in carbs.
Today, we're going to talk about the many minor changes you can make to your favorite recipes to create a low carb soup.
Read on for seven simple low carb swaps that will make you want to break out that pot, crank up the stove, and start making soup for the rest of the cold-weather months.
1. Flaxseed Bread, Not Wheat Bread
If there's one thing we all associate with soup, it's big loaves of warm bread perfect for dipping. Unfortunately, that slice of sourdough contains a whopping 36 grams of carbs, so it's time to swap it out if you're trying to cut carbs.
The good news is that you don't have to give up dipping, altogether. Grab a slice of flaxseed flatbread and dip away! Depending on the brand or recipe you use, a single slice of flaxseed bread is going to have about 9 grams of carbs.
2. Aged Cheese, Not Cream
Many soups call for dairy to produce that creamy effect. Plus, dairy products often provide a rich texture and taste that seems hard to beat. The problem is that most dairy products are high in carbs and instantly turn your soup recipe into a carb bomb.
The good news is that we have two solutions here. The first is to use aged cheeses like parmesan or goat cheese to increase the flavor and saltiness without adding a bunch of carbs. The second, if you're going for a creamy texture, is to blend broth and cooked vegetables like cauliflower and onions before adding your other ingredients so that you have a thick, smooth base.
3. Salami Chips, Not Crackers
Perhaps you grew up pairing soup with crackers rather than bread. While there are some low carb crackers on the market that you can try, you can also go another keto-friendly, low carb route that adds a huge punch of flavor to every bite.
Salami chips are crunchy, delicious, and extremely low in carbs. In fact, each chip, made of a single slice of salami, contains less than 0.5 grams of carbs! You can enjoy a handful of these bad boys without worrying about your carb intake.
4. Low Carb Noodles, Not Wheat or Rice Noodles
There's a common misconception in the low carb community, especially for newcomers. Many people assume that a product that is labeled gluten-free is also low in carbohydrates when that is not the case. For example, rice is gluten-free, making rice noodles gluten-free, but a single cup of rice contains 45 grams of carbs.
If you love a noodle soup (and who doesn't?), you want to look for low carb noodles, not just gluten-free noodles. At OhSo Tasty, all of our prepared soup cups are entirely gluten-free, but thanks to our use of kanten noodles, they're also low in carbs. Eat our OhSo Tasty soups as is or throw them in a pot with water and add extra ingredients to give them your own special twist!
5. Pot Pie Soup, Not Pot Pie
Soups aren't the only comfort foods we long to indulge in when the winter cold sets in. For many of us, pot pies hold strong memories of cozy nights when outdoor temperatures are low. The problem is that pot pie is high in carbs thanks to that flaky pie crust.
What if we told you that you could enjoy the flavors and warmth of a pot pie without the high carb intake? By focusing on the filling and using a small amount of heavy cream with a larger helping of cheddar cheese to achieve that creamy base, you can. Consider making a bowl of pot pie soup, rather than a traditional pot pie.
6. Taco Soup, Not Tacos
You know where we're going with this one. Tacos are one of the most beloved international foods on the face of the earth! They're versatile and flavorful and can provide major servings of vegetables and meat, but those tortillas and taco shells are seriously high in carbs, with one serving containing up to 98 grams.
Once again, we're here to tell you that you can take all of those filling ingredients and turn them into a low carb soup. Just remember to skip the beans and go for animal-based proteins if you're trying to cut as many carbs as possible.
7. Veggies, Not Grains
As we've mentioned already, soup is a versatile food. It's a great way to use up the vegetables and pantry staples you have lying around at the end of the week. However, you'll want to skip the grains when you're looking for ways to bulk up a soup.
Instead, add more veggies, avoiding starchy vegetables like potatoes, which can contain 3-4 times more carbs than non-starchy varieties. Cauliflower, onions, celery, tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms are all great go-to's that will add density and flavor to your low carp soup recipes.
Looking for an Easy Low Carb Soup? We've Got Your Back
Going on a low carb diet doesn't mean that you have to give up all of your favorite comfort foods. These swaps will make it easy to create a low carb soup that you and your family will love.
What if you aren't in the mood to don an apron and get cooking? We understand that feeling at OhSo Tasty, and our goal is to provide you with healthy, low carb soup options that barely take any effort to prepare. Find out where our prepared soup cups are available near you or stock up (pun intended) online.