Soup makes for a quick and easy comfort food, especially when it's chilly outside. Despite being there since ages, it's still somewhat underrated. Below I discuss exactly why it shouldn't be and the reasons behind my eternal love for soup.

OBVIOUSLY, IT WARMS YOU UP

A bowl of thick soup is certainly gratifying, warming us inside and out. Also, if you aren't exactly a beverage person like yours truly, and if you struggle to stay comfortable in cool weather and love snuggling in bed with a good book, a bowl or mug of soup is as good as hot chocolate. 

IT LESSENS ACHES AND PAIN

Soups have been an ailment to sick people since forever. Nothing beats chicken noodle soup on days that I have a stuffy nose. Even though it doesn't exactly make the illness go away, but there's a reason it's known as a natural home remedy during cold and flu season. Apparently, it works as an anti-inflammatory to clear up blocked noses and sore throats. The result, of course, is the mitigation of nasty symptoms.

A NO-BRAINER WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT

This exactly doesn't work for me since I like my soup thick, but lighter soups that are full of beans, lean meats and vegetables work great in losing weight. All these ingredients are known for their low-fat and high-fibre composition, which makes soup a wonderfully healthy meal option.

THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS

Just about every cuisine has soup. Be it the Burmese Khao Suey, the authentic Thai Tom Yum or our beloved Bangla-Chinese soup - they are extremely versatile. And so you can leverage whatever's in the fridge to create your own soup. The recipes are extremely forgiving, and thus can be easily adjusted to whatever ingredients are present within your reach. Some leftover chicken and basic veggies can be culminated into almost any soup your heart desires.

THEY CAN BE MADE BEFOREHAND

Soups are easy to freeze and reheat. A giant pot of soup made one evening, can be turned into lunch for days to come. Soup is one of those rare foods that actually tastes better the next day, after the flavours have had time to preserve and fully mature.

Soup-making is intimidating for some, but I promise it's not difficult. All you have to do is start with a simple recipe like Tomato Basil Soup and get started. Until then, happy eating!

Rafidah Rahman is a teeny-tiny Hulk, she's always angry and she's always hungry. A cynical dreamer and a food enthusiast, she's your everyday entertainment. Correspond with her at rafidahrahman93@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/

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