Want to Lose Weight? Here's the Dinner This Celebrity Trainer Suggests
If you're looking to lose weight, celebrity trainer Joel Harper recommends serving up soup for dinner. "Liquids are already broken down," he says, which means your body has to do less work when it comes to digestion. This can help keep you regular, banish bloat, and support weight-loss goals! However, any old soup won't suffice; Joel is all about focusing on the quality of your calories rather than a sheer number and making sure there's some protein in your bowl. Whether you're a meat-lover or vegan eater, at least one of these 18 nutrient-dense soups will become a staple in your dinner rotation.
Tortilla-Less Soup
This fresh and spicy tortilla-less soup is full of fresh produce and weighs in at less than 200 calories per satisfying serving. High in vitamin C and protein, the Mexican-inspired flavors will allow many to find a new favorite healthy dinner in this Paleo-approved recipe.
Ginger-Carrot Soup
This ginger-carrot soup is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese, which aids in digestion. This recipe is a perfect addition to any detox meal plan.
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup
This black bean and sweet potato soup can be made to fit a vegan diet, or top things off with a dollop of yogurt for some extra creaminess.
White Bean Pesto
Potatoes and beans add bulk to the pot, while carrots and rainbow chard bring a pop of color to this white bean pesto soup. The soup requires about an hour of cooking time, and it offers nine grams of fiber and less than 230 calories per serving.
Cheddar-Cauliflower Soup
Most cheesy soups are known for being creamy and rich, but they also come with a lot of calories and saturated fat. For a lighter, creative twist on this favorite, try this quick cheddar-cauliflower soup that dramatically lightens things up.
Santa Fe-Style Vegetable Soup
There's no reason you can't enjoy a quick dinner that's delicious and healthy on a busy night. All it requires is a few minutes of advance prep and your crockpot. This high-protein, vitamin-A-rich Paleo soup can help your body refuel after a tough strength-training session at the gym or satisfy a hungry crowd in need of a hot bowl of soup.
Zucchini Egg Drop Soup
We love subbing in veggie noodles for pasta whenever possible, and this zucchini noodle egg drop soup is an inventive recipe that's just another excuse to get out that spiralizer. This Chinese classic gets a lightened-up, lower-carb update that's just as delicious.
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Add the warming spice mixture of curry to the pot, and your bowl will offer extra metabolism-boosting powers. Try this coconut curry butternut squash soup that has the perfect amount of sweetness.
Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
This butternut squash and lentil soup is such a cinch to whip up — just throw all the ingredients in your slow cooker before work, and dinner is done. For 250 calories per serving, each bowl offers 17 grams of fiber and over 18 grams of protein.
Kale, White Bean, and Sausage Soup
For a hearty and light soup that won't disappoint, try this kale, bean, and sausage soup. To lighten things in your pot, opt for chicken or veggie sausage in place of bulk Italian sausage.
Three-Bean Soup
This protein-rich, healthy three-bean soup needs to make a regular appearance in your kitchen. To save cook time on the day of, roast up the veggies the day before.
Spicy Chicken Chili
This high-protein spicy chicken chili brings the heat. Substituting ground chicken for beef brings the same traditional textures of the classic chili you crave — just lightened up for your healthy diet. Garnish yours with a dollop of Greek yogurt for an extra dose of digestion-supporting probiotics and extra protein.
Tomato Lentil Soup
Red lentils are high in fiber, which, in combination with the protein they provide, keep you feeling fuller for longer. Make this healthy spin, lentil tomato soup, for a light meal that won't leave you unsatisfied and peeking in the fridge after dinner.
Vegan Pumpkin Chili
This vegan pumpkin chili is an awesome way to make use of a can of pumpkin puree. Tons of veggies and beans are tossed into the mix, so there's no shortage of fiber or protein in this creative chili.
Roasted Roots Soup
This roasted roots soup plays up the natural flavors of the produce and simmers it all in a coconut bath. Sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, and fresh ginger are all used in the recipe — a perfect medley of complementary root veggies, full of vitamins and nutrients.
Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup
Try a vegan twist on this classic soup recipe that only calls for six ingredients and weighs in at 254 calories a serving.
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup
Love classic black bean soup? Try this two-bean soup that also brings sweet potatoes to the mix. A healthy serving of this hearty vegan soup is less than 300 calories per serving.