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- $Unique_ID{BRK02094}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{The Benefits of Homemade Chicken Soup}
- $Subject{soup illness flu home remedy chicken broth meat beans barley
- vegetables spices vitamins minerals sodium potassium magnesium iron calcium
- legumes protein carbohydrates fish chicken thiamin niacin riboflavin fiber
- liquids healthy nutrition}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- The Benefits of Homemade Chicken Soup
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- QUESTION: My mother always declared that a good cup of home made soup was all
- that was needed to overcome any winter illness. I am not talking about
- chicken broth, but a hearty, rich soup that she cooked up using her own
- formula of meat, beans, barley, many vegetables and a variety of spices. I
- wish I had her recipe today. Now I see some canned soups labelled "healthy",
- and wonder if they have rediscovered my mother's secret. Would you please
- discuss the health benefits of soup, if you believe they exist?
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- ANSWER: You bring back fond memories of the days when I too was served a
- hearty concoction of home made soup to overcome many of the ailments we all
- suffered in simpler times. The aroma, flavor and contents were enough to put
- the strength back into anyone, and did seem to shorten or diminish the
- symptoms of a cold or flu. While the label "healthy" has little meaning on
- the label of a canned soup, for the word has never been defined in this
- setting, an analysis of the contents of a bowl of hearty soup do yield some
- convincing arguments for its reputation. Depending upon the contents, the
- mixture that contains vegetables may be loaded with natural vitamins, many
- minerals including sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium. If beans
- are included or other legumes, it will also contain protein and carbohydrates.
- Any meat, fish or chicken adds protein; grains yield thiamin, niacin, and
- riboflavin. All vegetables are rich in fiber, a food substance that has been
- linked with many health benefits.
- And all of these "healthful" substances are included in a warm fluid
- base, at just the time when additional liquids can offer real assistance in
- fighting off the effects of a cold. Believe what you wish, the salutary
- effects of a delicious plate of rich, hot, savory soup and a good slice of
- home baked bread can provide the nourishment and taste that uplifts even the
- lowest spirit affected by a winter infection. While canned soups are fine in
- most cases a good home cooked soup, using a bit of imagination and a little
- time, can provide a meal that remains remembered for years.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-