A warm, tasty soup is a hallmark of the winter season. It persists globally as cold-weather comfort food, and many traditional soup recipes reflect this. Hearty soups not only warm us up but also fulfill natural winter cravings. Humans love soups and bread in the winter, but the comfort food ingredients we put into soups aren’t always the healthiest for us.
If you have ever felt like you’re more drawn to fats and salts in the winter, you’re not alone. This is a very natural response to the changing seasons. Evolutionarily, humans are driven to eat more fat and salt-heavy foods in the winter, partially because plant food sources were scarce during cold weather, but also partially because it helped us put on necessary fat for warmth and sustained energy throughout the plant food-scarce season (just like other omnivores, including bears and raccoons).
Humans may also crave fatty, sweet, and carb-dense foods because natural light changes impact their serotonin production in the winter. As there is less sun, the body absorbs less Vitamin D and creates less serotonin. Serotonin is one of the hormones which impacts our mood, and without enough serotonin, humans become depressed. Carb intake increases serotonin levels (as does fat, salt, and sugar) temporarily, which is why we tend toward comfort food when depressed. The financial, travel and family stress associated with the holidays also adds to serotonin disruption.
So, why try to fight an uphill battle against evolutionary cravings?
Unfortunately, our modern lifestyles don’t mix well with a high-carb, high-fat diet – even if it temporarily boosts our serotonin levels. Most humans aren’t nomadic hunter-gatherers anymore, meaning we don’t get the constant exercise our ancestors did, and we cannot burn off our fat stores as easily as we once did. Getting outside in cold weather can be a challenge, even for the fittest people. So, health and fitness experts are constantly trying to find ways to make comfort foods healthier.
Herbalife Nutrition Takes A Stand On Comfort Food
Among those health experts looking for a solution to less-sensible comfort foods? Herbalife Nutrition.
The nutritional products company is known for being the number one brand globally in the protein supplement and meal replacement market. Over the past decade, they have focused on expanding their products to meet consumer needs based on Herbalife reviews. Adding teas, aloe drinks, and even skincare products to their menu, it is clear the company is focused on making helpful products that their customers enjoy using.
But on top of enjoyable products, Herbalife Nutrition has a global nutrition philosophy: not only should their products taste good, but they should work toward improving nutritional habits worldwide. The company believes in a “one person at a time” approach, their thinking being many small changes can make a significant global change. This is partially why they employ independent distributors to get the word out about their products – having a friendly face can make facing nutrition hurdles a lot easier.
It’s no wonder that as cold-weather season descends upon the United States that Herbalife Nutrition would reveal its latest health-oriented product: Instant Soup.
Introducing: Herbalife Instant Soup
It’s hard to believe that soup would be the company’s next foray into instant foods. Soup doesn’t scream “health foods” quite like shakes and salads. However, researchers estimate the instant soup market will expand by $3.45 Billion globally by 2015. Why such a significant number for such a specific product? A few reasons:
- Modern consumers are looking for convenience from their meals. Instant soup provides customers with a convenient meal or snack which anyone can enjoy on the go or at home.
- Its versatility allows it to be used as a snack, sauce, or full meal with vegetables and lean proteins.
- Instant soup provides essential protein, which helps consumers stay fuller for longer and with fewer calories.
Survey answers from the above survey showed that consumers are so interested in healthy instant soup options to add more nutrients to their diets and satisfy their hunger. Soup sales ramped up at the beginning of 2020 as people prepared for the possibility of being sick and sought the comfort of hot soups. Healthy soups have long been a go-to comfort food for sick people, as healthy soups are packed with nutrients and good fats. Unfortunately, healthy soups from scratch can take a lot to make. This option provides soup lovers with an easy way to enjoy soup without dealing with high sodium, trans fats, and other unhealthy ingredients commonly found in canned soups.
Speaking on their expansion into the soup sector, Susan Bowerman, the senior director of Worldwide Nutrition and Education Training at Herbalife Nutrition, commented, “For over 40 years, we have proudly been a nutritional leader of protein-rich products that are formulated to help people lead active and healthy lives. As we continue to grow, so does demand from consumers worldwide who want to enjoy our nutritious foods throughout the day–from our shakes and coffees to protein bars and now, savory soup.”
Herbalife Nutrition’s Instant Soup has 15 grams of soy protein and 3 grams of fiber for gut health, hunger satiety, and energy throughout the day. The soup is not made from dairy, and it derives its protein sources from soy and pea protein. Although it was once-maligned, soy protein has risen to the top as one of the healthiest forms of protein available. Studies have suggested that 25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of Instant Soup provides 9 g of soy protein.
Although it comes in two delicious meaty flavors: chicken and vegetables and creamy chicken, it contains 0g of saturated fat. On top of providing all of this, Instant Soup is only 80 calories.
As it can be hard to find low-calorie instant soups that keep you full for a long time, Herbalife Nutrition’s Instant Soup fills an instant soup niche that has yet to be met by the industry.
How To Use Herbalife Nutrition Instant Soup
One of the easiest ways to use Instant Soup is just one ingredient – just add hot water. Since it comes in powder form, it is relatively simple to use and can be done everywhere.
But Herbalife recommends a few different ways to use their Instant Soup for a diverse range of meals in the home.
- First, be sure to shake your canister of Instant Soup each time to reincorporate any contents that may have settled.
- For soup made with stove-boiled water: scoop two scoops of Instant Soup mix into a bowl or mug. Pour 8 ounces of water into the mix and stir to dissolve any remaining powder mix. Let stand for at least three minutes to thicken the soup and enjoy!
- For soup made in the microwave: empty packet contents (or two scoops) into a microwave-safe vessel. Add 8 ounces of cold water slowly, stirring as you go. Heat on high for 1-1.5 minutes. Stir any remaining clumps and let sit for 3 minutes. Enjoy!
- For a sauce to enjoy on rice or as a gravy: reduce the amount of water from 8 ounces to 4-6 ounces, depending on your preference.
Instant soup may be used as often as twice per day, depending upon your preference.
What Sets Herbalife Instant Soup Aside From Other Soups?
Thousands of soups are available on the market; many are healthy options. What sets Herbalife aside from other available options?
For starters, Herbalife’s Instant Soup mix is one of the healthier options on the market. Many mainstream soup mixes contain sodium, MSG, trans fats, and carbs. Unfortunately, soups marketed as “healthy” aren’t always that healthy, either. Notable about Herbalife Nutrition Instant Soup is:
- It has lower sodium than many mainstream instant soups, and lower sodium foods are better for your blood pressure
- It has higher protein than most of the instant soup mixes on the market, which helps keep you fuller longer
- It has no trans fats
- It is gluten-free
But one might also argue that Herbalife is a reason for making the switch over to its Instant Soup product. Herbalife’s products are designed to be flexible yet sensible enough to help a wide variety of their customers reach their individual fitness goals. All the claims they make about their food and nutritional supplements are backed by scientific research, and the organization has food scientists informing their teams year-round.
Science aside, Herbalife reviews show that their customers love Herbalife because they are a community of like-minded individuals with each other’s goals in mind. This applies to their products, and it also applies to their overall company. One customer displayed their appreciation for Herbalife’s community, commitment to health, and versatility on her Instagram:
“When we move our bodies, we feel better, and when we feel better, we do better for ourselves and our communities. I’m now a Herbalife distributor and loving the products, but I think everything is a balancing act. Yes, I had a delicious shake today for lunch, but I also enjoyed some waffles with my daughter this morning.”
Others directly mention Herbalife’s support systems, which are inherent in their organization and their products:
“The support from my Herbalife Nutrition distributor is one of the main reasons this program actually worked. Having someone as your constant support system, someone in your corner really cheering you on – it makes all the difference.”
So, this season, as the market is saturated with new and tempting soup brands, a healthy alternative – and one that might just change your relationship with food – might be Instant Soup. Herbalife Instant soup is available now via local independent distributors.