We have a really big time obesity problem in this country and studies show it’s only going to get worse as time goes on if we don’t get focused on our health. Forget about COVID killing you, folks. It’s overeating all this processed, high-calorie junk that we’re stuffing into our faces, day in and day out. And here’s the worse part, some of this stuff, you don’t even realize is bad for you. I mean, when you think of eating soup and salad, you’re probably thinking, “Oh, that’s pretty healthy,” right? Well, in many cases, you’d be wrong. As a matter of fact, the popular site Eat This, Not That just put out the red flag warning about 5 soups from chain restaurants that you need to stop eating ASAP.
Panera Bread’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
PER SERVING: 370 calories, 24 g fat ( 17 g saturated fat), 1470 mg sodium, 25 g carbs ( 6 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 13 g protein
This soup is a fan-favorite at Panera and is a part of the permanent menu, however, it’s not one you’ll want to get repeatedly. Although it may be creamy and delicious, it boasts a whopping 17 grams of saturated fat per serving which is over the American Heart Association’s recommended daily amount of 13 grams. Plus, it even has more than half of the recommended amount of sodium (2,300 milligrams per day) with 1470 milligrams for a single bowl.
El Pollo Loco’s Homemade Tortilla Soup
PER LARGE: 450 calories, 17 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 1,890 mg sodium, 34 g carbs (5 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 42 g protein
Although you may not visit a Mexican chain restaurant for a bowl of soup, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. A bowl of good chicken tortillas soup can be just what you need on a cold day. This delicious tortilla soup has the brand’s signature chicken, tortilla chips, cilantro, and cotija cheese. But, it’s not a soup you’ll want to indulge in frequently, especially if you have high blood pressure, since its sodium content is just shy of the daily recommended value in a single serving.
Well, this one isn’t exactly a “soup” but you still should avoid it:
KFC’s Chicken Pot Pie
PER LARGE: 720 calories, 41 g fat (25 g saturated fat), 1,750 mg sodium, 60 g carbs (7 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 46 g protein
While chicken pot pie is arguably a stew, it qualifies as one to approach with caution. This pastry-topped creation is going to fill you up on a cold night, but it really should be a once-in-a-while treat. With 720 calories and a whopping 25 grams of fat, you might want to share with someone else or leave half for later. Plus, the sodium is extremely high at 1,750 milligrams. That being said, reviews are positive, especially oddly from pregnant Redditors who heap praise upon this warming dish. So if you’re in good health and eating for two, give one a try.
Chick-fil-A’s Chicken Tortilla Soup
PER SERVING: 580 calories, 16 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 1980 mg sodium, 65 g carbs (31 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 44 g protein
Chick-fil-A’s soup is a lighter option at the chain right? While choosing a soup to round out your meal can be a good choice, as opposed to getting an order of french fries, at Chick-fil-A, that’s not the case. The soup is described as having a white creamy soup base and it’s topped with fried tortilla strips, still, the calorie amount is a shocker.
Panera Bread’s Chicken Tikka Masala Soup
PER BOWL: 360 calories, 17 g fat ( 10 g saturated fat), 1,000 mg sodium, 37 g carbs (5 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 16 g protein
This soup is a loose homage to the dish Chicken Tikka Masala which was invented by an Indian chef in Scotland and is served at many Indian restaurants across the U.S. It contains, per the Panera site, chicken, black lentils, butternut squash, and kale in a curried tomato broth, finished with coconut milk and spices and with brown rice and quinoa. The only things it appears to have in common with Chicken Tikka Masala are tomato sauce, chicken, and curry.
Who would think that a delicious bowl of Tikka Masala soup would have 17 grams of fat? That’s insanity, and the sodium levels are off the charts in these “healthy” soups. No wonder everyone’s walking around with high blood pressure.
I am not trying to “mommy” you, but my best advice is to stop eating all this processed food and just make your own delicious, healthy soup at home.