Homemade soup is a great option for those trying to lose weight. It is a great way to eat lean meat and vegetables. The following soup recipes are low in sodium, high in fiber and a filling meal without excessive calories. Plus, they can be made in a Crockpot, so you can come home to a warm meal. (Hint: if Santa didn’t bring you an immersion blender for Christmas, pick one up. It is a great kitchen tool for making blended soups.)
Ingredients:
- 1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast
- 1/2 cup barley
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 sweet potatoes, cut in rounds
- 2 onions, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, diced
- 5 cups water
- 1 cup low sodium beef or veg-
- etable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 can stewed tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
In a slow cooker, cook roast 4-5 hours on high until tender. Add spices and barley and sweet potatoes during last hour of cooking. remove and shred meat. return to Crockpot. Add water, broth and can of tomatoes.
In a frying pan, sauté onion, garlic, carrots and celery for 10 minutes. Add to Crockpot. Cook an additional 15 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.