Comfort food after a strenuous workout certainly hits the spot. Plus, when itâs healthy, you donât have to feel guilty about having it in. This is exactly why you should make potato and leek soup!
Leek and potato soup is the perfect low-calorie meal packed with nutrients to protect your heart, give you strong bones and strengthen your endurance during a workout.Â
Today I'll show you how to make tasty, yet healthy leek and potato soup. This recipe is one of my favourites for dinner and includes a vegetarian option.
Let's get cooking!
Hereâs how to make this healthy soup:
If you find it easier to watch, hereâs a video on how to make this tasty low-calorie leek and potato soup:
So just how healthy is potato and leek soup? Is it really a comfort food?Â
Let's look at some of the benefits of the ingredients.
Leeks are Loaded with Vitamins
Leeks are great sources of vitamins A and K, which help build strong bones and strengthen the immune system. Plus, these arenât the only nutrients that leeks contain. This healthy vegetable is packed with folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, magnesium and thiamin.
Studies show that B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin in leeks may even support heart health.
Leeks Protect Blood Vessels
Kaempferol, a natural flavanol found in leeks, acts as an anti-oxidant to reduce oxidative stress in the body. Studies also show that kaempferol can protect blood vessel linings from damage. It does this by increasing the production of nitric oxide (NO) to help the blood vessels dilate and relax. So, by consuming leeks, youâll not only have improved blood circulation, but also enhanced exercise performance as well.
Leeks vs. Onions
If youâre wondering why leeks look like theyâre overgrown green onions, you may want to turn to the vegetableâs family tree. Leeks and onions are both part of the allium familyâthe same genus that garlic, chives and shallots share too.
However, though related, leeks are richer in certain vitamins and minerals than onions. Leeks surpass onions in iron, calcium content (with the exception of green onions) and Vitamin C. Plus, they contain vitamin A, a nutrient that all onions lack.
Potatoes also have a number of great health benefits. As we talked about in my healthy hash browns recipe, it's more in the way potatoes are cooked that can lead to a healthy vegetable being considered unhealthy.
Potatoes Can Aid Weight Loss
Potatoes reduce your appetite and make you feel full after eating them. Therefore, itâs best eat leek and potato soup after you work-out. Burning calories increases your appetite, so a small bowl of this healthy goodness may help you suppress it.Â
Potatoes Can Improve Muscle Movement
Potatoes contain a nutrient called Choline that improves muscle movement. So, sip up that leek and potato soup. Strong muscles and muscle groups help you train harder and maintain healthy bone density.
Potatoes Can Help Metabolize Food
Leek and potato soup can be a great source of vitamin B6, which boosts your metabolism by breaking down carbohydrates and proteins.
Potatoes Can Keep Your Heart Healthy
The fiber in potatoes can help lower the risk of heart disease by reducing the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. Other nutrients in potatoes that support heart health include potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.
Potatoes Can Strengthen Your Bones
Potatoes contain iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, and zinc to keep your bones strong and healthy.
This low carlorie, healthy variation on the classic leek and potato soup is a family favourite that can also be served for lunch or dinner.
For more of our best recipes, nutrition and workout tips, be sure subscribe to our newsletter here.
How'd you go with your healthy leek and potato soup? Let me know in the comments!
Comments will be approved before showing up.