Shape up in 2024 with our delicious eating plan – no calorie-counting required
LOSE 3lb in 3 days
Keeping an eye on your waistline, but don’t fancy salad? Soup could be your solution. Not only does it keep you feeling fuller for longer and provide an easy way of getting your daily ration of vegetables, but it can aid weight loss, too.
Overwhelmed by the prep? Don’t be – on those busier days, you can opt for shop-bought instead. You’ll shed unwanted pounds, boost your overall health and look fabulous, too. Here’s everything you need to know...
Whatʼs so good about it?Soup might seem like a fad diet, but there are plenty of benefits to this fat-busting plan.
IT’S LOW CALORIE
‘Water-rich soups have a low number of calories per portion compared with other foods,’ says nutrition expert Professor Barbara Rolls. ‘Water adds weight and volume to your meal, so you can have a satisfying amount without harming your waistline.’
IT’S SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO CURB YOUR APPETITE
‘When liquids are combined with solid foods in a soup, your body treats the whole meal as something substantial,’ says Professor Rolls. ‘It triggers biological systems that tell your brain to feel satisfied.’
Your plan
For three days, simply have four bowls of soup a day – one for breakfast (yes, really, our breakfast soups are so tasty!), one for lunch, another late afternoon and a final one an hour or two before bed. You can mix or match the recipes and repeat them over the three days and they will keep in the fridge for reheating later. If you’re stuck for time, you can substitute shop-bought soups.
CELERIAC AND APPLE
(2 SERVINGS)
✣ ½ onion, peeled and chopped
✣ 450ml made up reduced-salt vegetable bouillon
✣ ½ tsp curry powder (optional)
✣ ½ celeriac, peeled and cubed
✣ 1 cooking apple, peeled, cored and sliced
✣ 1tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
TO MAKE
Put onion in a large pan and cover with bouillon. Add curry powder, if using. Cover and simmer for 5 mins. Add celeriac and remaining bouillon, cover and cook for 15 mins. Add apple and simmer until soft. Blend soup until smooth.
Sprinkle with parsley. Serve.
CARROT AND PARSLEY
(2 SERVINGS)
✣ ½ onion, peeled and chopped
✣ 250g carrots, peeled and chopped
