To start a meal or as a light meal, cabbage soup is good for you, it is delicious and it allows you to get your fill of vitamins. Become the accomplice of a healthy and balance nutrition, come along and discover the virtues of cabbage soup. My grandmother used to say it all the time: "eat your soup, it will make big and strong". Well one thing is sure, it does not make you gain weight, just the opposite, it help in weight loss or in maintaining a slim waist line. Because it is rich in vegetables, it is loaded with fiber. Fiber facilitates elimination, but it also has the distinct advantage to give you a feeling of being full. To enjoy a bowl of cabbage soup just before a meal is therefore the best way to limit excessive eating for the rest of the meal.

If you are watching your line (and who is not, these days?) here is a little advice: Replace potatoes with zucchini. They work essentially the same way as potatoes. Remove fat from meat broths before using them. Do not puree your soup in a blender, to conserve the efficiency of fiber. You already know that cabbage soup is full of vitamins and minerals that are essential to a healthy and balance diet. But it is good to remind yourself of it, once in a while, because fruit and vegetables also contain antioxidants and other nutrients that ensure protection for your body. It is so important that ALL doctors agree. Doctors always recommend that you should get at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Studies have proven that this alone also contributes to a reduction in cancer risks.

To prevent loss of these indispensable nutrients, respect a few common sense rules: If you must peel your vegetables, wait until the last minute to do so, and do not soak your vegetables in water to clean them. Limit cooking time for your soup. Your soups will always be at their best when you prepare them from fresh vegetables that are in season. When they are in season they taste better and cost less, it is also when they are in season that they contain the most nutrients. Consequently in winter, opt for leeks, carrots, turnips and cabbage. Take pleasure in shopping for your vegetables, enjoy the preparation process, take advantage of this time to show children these wonderful products, so they too will learn to appreciate them. If children help in the preparation of the soup they will eat it without fuss. Another good thing about cabbage soup is that it can make a family meal for a small budget. Remember that homemade soup does not last much longer than 24 hours unless you freeze. It freezes very well, and can be reheated when needed, so do not hesitate to make a large pot and to serve it over several meals. Many good cabbage soup recipes are available, variety is the spice of life.