🌶️ Detox Southwest Soup
Description:
This Detox Southwest Soup is a hearty, nourishing, and flavor-packed bowl of comfort that supports weight loss and digestive health. Featuring clean, wholesome ingredients like beans, tomatoes, spices, and veggies, it’s low in calories but high in fiber and nutrients. Quick to make, beginner-friendly, and perfect for meal prep — this soup helped many, including the original user, lose up to 11 pounds in 4 weeks when used regularly in a healthy diet plan.
📋 Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce (no added sugar)
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
🔪 Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add celery and zucchini, and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, and all the spices (cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper).
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes.
- Squeeze in lime juice before serving and garnish with chopped cilantro.
📝 Notes:
- For a spicy kick, add 1 chopped jalapeño or ½ tsp red pepper flakes.
- Soup thickens as it sits — add extra broth or water when reheating if needed.
- You can add a small portion of cooked shredded chicken or turkey for extra protein (optional).
- Make it a creamy detox soup by blending 1 cup of the cooked soup and stirring it back in.
💡 Tips:
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch and store in containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
- Freezer Friendly: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Topping Ideas: Avocado slices, Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), or a dash of hot sauce.
- Use low-sodium or homemade broth to control salt levels.
🍽️ Servings:
Makes 6 generous servings (about 1½ cups per serving).
🔢 Nutritional Information (Per Serving, approx.):
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
(Based on standard ingredients; variations may affect values.)
🌿 Health Benefits:
- Supports Weight Loss: High fiber and low calorie help keep you full longer without excess calories.
- Anti-inflammatory: Garlic, tomatoes, and cumin may help reduce inflammation.
- Detoxifying Ingredients: Celery, zucchini, and lime support hydration, digestion, and liver function.
- Heart Healthy: Low in saturated fat and rich in plant-based nutrients.
❓Q&A:
Q: Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
A: Yes! Use 2–3 fresh tomatoes, diced. You may want to add a little extra broth or tomato paste for richness.
Q: Is this soup suitable for keto or low-carb?
A: It’s not strict keto due to the beans and tomatoes, but you can make it lower carb by skipping the beans and using more zucchini and cauliflower.
Q: How often should I eat this to support weight loss?
A: Replacing one meal a day (like lunch or dinner) with this soup 4–5 times per week, alongside a healthy diet and hydration, can contribute to weight loss.
Q: Can I add grains like quinoa or brown rice?
A: Absolutely, though this will add carbs. Add ½ cup cooked grains after cooking if you need a more filling version.