Heart Health

Soup up your diet

A hearty bowl of soup can provide plenty of nutrient-rich beans, vegetables, and grains in a single meal.

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
A man prepares soup in his kitchen, he is putting seasoning into a pot and assorted fresh vegetables are on the counter next to him, alongside a cutting board and a grater.

A steaming bowl of soup can warm you up on a chilly winter day — and fill you up with heart-protecting nutrients. "During the colder months, I love to make one-pot meals, like a hearty soup with beans," says registered dietitian Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. Beans come in many different varieties and contain soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, she adds. What's more, dried and canned beans are readily available and inexpensive, and they have a long shelf life.

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About the Author

photo of Julie Corliss

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Julie Corliss is the executive editor of the Harvard Heart Letter. Before working at Harvard, she was a medical writer and editor at HealthNews, a consumer newsletter affiliated with The New England Journal of Medicine. She … See Full Bio
View all posts by Julie Corliss

About the Reviewer

photo of Christopher P. Cannon, MD

Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Christopher P. Cannon is editor in chief of the Harvard Heart Letter. He is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and senior physician in the Preventive Cardiology section of the Cardiovascular Division at … See Full Bio
View all posts by Christopher P. Cannon, MD

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