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Weight loss soup is the perfect recipe for a healthier you in 2024! If you are looking to drop a few pounds this low-calorie, nutrient-rich, high-fiber soup is healthy, flavorful, and fills you up!
Featured with this recipe
- Ingredients for Weight Loss Soup Recipe
- How to Eat Weight Loss Soup
- Will I Gain All My Weight Back Afterwards?
- Nutrition Information Per Cup
- Substitutions for Weight Loss Soup
- Instant Pot Weight Loss Soup
- Spices and Herbs to Use for Seasoning
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Healthy Soup Recipes
- More Healthy Recipes to Kick Off the New Year
- How to Make Weight Loss Soup
- Weight Loss Soup Recipe
Weight loss soup is a combination of a couple of weight loss soup recipes that have been around for years – Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup and the Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe. We added kidney beans for protein to help you feel fuller for a longer period of time. Feel free to add or subtract vegetables to your taste. The benefit of this soup is that it tastes great and it does help you lose weight.
We call this soup “magic” because we have all incorporated it into our diets at one point in another with terrific results! It’s so much more than a bland cabbage soup or vegetable soup. It is a low-carb, hearty soup that is full of flavor and keeps you satisfied and on track with healthy eating.
Ingredients for Weight Loss Soup Recipe
This weight-loss soup recipe is just what you need to start the year off right! It is full of nutrients, low-calorie, and healthy ingredients to make this a filling soup. This weight-loss soup is one you need to have!
- Chicken broth – Low-sodium chicken broth gives a flavorful base for the soup. It adds liquid and moisture to the soup.
- V-8 juice – This is a flavor enhancement filled with all the nutrients from eight ingredients everyone loves.
- Diced tomatoes – Italian diced tomatoes from a can are poured into the soup. Tomatoes have a rich flavor with a great source of vitamins.
- Onion – Slice and chop the onion into small pieces.
- Garlic – Minced garlic cloves have their own health benefits.
- Mushrooms – Slice the mushrooms into thin slices.
- Vegetables – Carrots, zucchini, and squash are peeled and sliced in uniform sizes to help them cook and soften at the same time.
- Green beans – Fresh or frozen green beans work well.
- Kidney beans – Drained and rinsed thoroughly in a strainer. Add more types of lentils for more protein.
- Cabbage – Shredded cabbage softens and adds flavor to the base of the soup.
- Italian seasoning – Adds flavor and seasoning to the weight-loss soup.
How to Eat Weight Loss Soup
You still need to get a healthy amount of calories (about 1,200 a day) to lose weight at a healthy rate. For best results follow this diet plan we have found to work!
- Breakfast – Eat a healthy breakfast in the morning, focusing on lean proteins.
- Lunch – Eat a bowl of Weight Loss Magic Soup for lunch.
- Snack – Have another bowl of the delicious vegetable soup for an afternoon snack.
- Dinner – Then, at dinnertime, eat a bowl of the weight loss soup along with a serving of lean protein and a serving of whole grain, for example, a 4-ounce chicken breast and ½ cup of brown rice.
- Water – Drink plenty of water during the day to stay hydrated.
- Work out – Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 or more days a week for maximum results.
Will I Gain All My Weight Back Afterwards?
It’s important to note that we don’t recommend following this strict diet for more than seven days. After a week, be sure to maintain a healthy diet, having this soup intermittently until you reach your desired weight. Think of this as a positive kick-off to your diet, a way to shed pounds and gain some confidence as you continue your lifestyle change.
A great way to help with portion control is to eat a bowl of soup before you eat your regular meal. The soup will fill your stomach with healthy vegetables, and you will feel less hungry during your meal.
Nutrition Information Per Cup
- 57 calories
- 11 carbs
- 0 fat
- 4 protein
- 225 sodium
Substitutions for Weight Loss Soup
- Vegetables – You can substitute any vegetable. Just try to avoid starch ones like potatoes, peas, or corn if you can. Kale, spinach, and celery are delicious and filling substitutions.
- Chicken broth – Beef broth or vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth. Feel free to use low-sodium broth or make your own.
- Protein – We use kidney beans in our recipe to add some protein to this soup. White beans, pinto beans, black beans, or red beans can also be used and the calorie count will stay the same. You can also use lean ground beef or ground turkey, but keep in mind that the calorie count will go up.
Instant Pot Weight Loss Soup
We received a comment from Samantha, who made this soup in her Instant Pot. Thank you for sharing this, Samantha! Read her review on how she made the weight-loss soup in the instant pot!
“I did it in the instant pot! I sauteed the onions, garlic, carrots, green beans, and mushrooms in olive oil. Then, I added broth and gave it a good stir to scrape up bits. I added Kale instead of cabbage and cooked it for 5 minutes. Quick release, add zucchini and stir. Add tomatoes last and don’t stir. Cook another 5 minutes and quickly release. I didn’t add beans or tomato juice. I sprinkled it with parmesan and it was wonderful!”
Spices and Herbs to Use for Seasoning
In addition to the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and the seasonings in the diced tomatoes and V-8 juice, you can add any of the following additional seasonings!
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Sage
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Tony Chachere’s Cajun Seasoning
“Wow!! Just made this! I’ve never made soup before and it tastes AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!”
-Kristen
Frequently Asked Questions
This weight-loss soup recipe makes about 20 cups of soup, so you will have plenty to eat all week long. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to seven days and freezes beautifully. Make a double or triple batch and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
Each cup of weight-loss soup has only 57 calories! It is such a satisfying way to get your vegetables in for the day. If you are worried about sodium content, feel free to use low-sodium V8 or even tomato juice (homemade or store-bought). You can also use fresh veggies instead of canned or low-sodium broths to reduce sodium as well.
If this is something you’re worried about, or if you find yourself hitting up the bathroom too much for your liking, eat the soup along with some whole-wheat toast, brown rice, or even a banana. That should help!
It is always good to have a variety of meals each day. This is a great way to start a healthy new year and diet but is also good to have variations of meals for more nutritional values.
The amount of weight loss varies for each person. There are several variables to consider when using this weight-loss soup. Some examples are exercise, hydration, and body structure or type.
More Healthy Soup Recipes
More Healthy Recipes to Kick Off the New Year
Start your New Year off on the right foot with a few of these deliciously healthy recipes. Happy New Year!
How to Make Weight Loss Soup
Weight Loss Soup
Video
Equipment
- Crock Pot (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
- 32 ounces chicken broth you may use low-sodium
- 3 cups V-8 juice *see recipe notes
- 28 ounces Italian diced tomatoes
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 3 carrots peeled and sliced
- 1 zucchini diced
- 1 yellow squash diced
- 2 cups green beans fresh or frozen
- 14 ounces kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 3 to 4 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large frying pan sprayed with cooking spray, saute garlic, onions, carrots, and mushrooms for about 5 minutes.
- In a large crockpot, combine sauteed garlic and vegetables with the remaining ingredients.
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until vegetables are fork-tender.
- FREEZING INSTRUCTIONSThis makes a large batch of soup. If you would like to freeze portions of it to use later, undercook the vegetables just a little. Pour the soup into freezer Ziplock bags and let as much air out as you can. Lay the bags flat on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once the soup is frozen flat, it is easy to layer in your freezer and won't take up much room. To thaw, place the bag in the fridge for 24 hours and then reheat.
Thank you so much for posting this recipe! I try to be health conscious regarding diet and workout regularly, but I haven’t been getting enough veggies in my diet. I made a batch in the crock pot earlier this week and it came out perfect (Cabbage gives me some trouble so I used (frozen) broccoli and cauliflower instead). This recipe is awesome and just what I was looking for!
Hi, This soup really works!!! I lost 5lbs in 5 days!! I had to get on the scales again before I could believe it. The best part is it’s delicious!!! I substituted the cabbage for spinach and used a spaghetti squash. I only had the soup for lunch and dinner not as a snack and I only got 10 bowls. (I guess my bowls were big!!!) I even cheated a bit on the last day and had 2 slices of pizza!!! I usually had a protein shake for breakfast, a healthy snack, then the soup for lunch with usually a yogurt, another healthy snack, and then again for dinner with a side. I was never hungry and I missed not having it the next day. I drank lots of water and execised for 30 minutes 6 times a week. I will definitely make it again. Thanks for the recipe!!!
How long can i store this in the refrigerator?
To be on the safe side, I would say about a week. But you can also freeze it!
Hi Emily, Thanks for all the great tips and ideas for this recipe! When you freeze the soup flat, an idea for you to try is to store the freezer bags upright, or file them! You can freeze lots of meals nearly flat and ‘file’ them. 🙂
Thank you, that was what i was thinking. I doubt there will be any left to freeze lol.
Hi, Just found your site (from Pinterest) this looks SO delicious! I can’t wait to try it! I’m not a magic weight loss type of girl 🙂 but wow, those veggies look tempting.
Hi, this soup sounds delicious! I am going to try with no salt added tomato paste(small can) instead of v8. Wish me luck, I definitely need a good kick start. Thanks for posting!
All I can say is WOW you have alot of patience I don’t cook often but boy I can’t wait to try this sooup will get all ingredients and give it a try!!! Thank you soo much for posting and I will look at your light and tasty
on here also!!!
I really enjoyed all of your suggestions. Do you have a website?
I meant do you have any other websites on eating or staying healthy?
Thanks!
We just have this website but we have a “light and tasty” category that is full of healthy recipes!
Has anyone calculated Weight Watcher Points Value of this?
I just did the calculations – it is 4pts.
I just calculated it and it’s only 1 point per serving.
With only 57 calories per serving, there is no way it would be 4 points+. I used my WW calculator, and also got 1 points+.
I made this soup last night it is soooooooooo good I made it exactly like the recipe except I used turnip instead of yellow squash. I am going to do a week of soup and protein shakes and then a week of whole foods and back to a week of soup and so on just to really get my weight loss going thank you so much for such a great recipe!!!
That is a really great idea! I may do the same. Are you going to eat the soup for lunch & dinner? Or just dinner?
Thanks for this recipe. I made it and loved it.
My variations:
I shredded the carrots because I found out a long time ago that carrots don’t cook as fast as the other vegetables if they are sliced, so you get a soup with either crunchy carrots, or soggy/gross squash. I added cauliflower and leeks also.
Thanks again
I don’t really like beans other than green beans, which I love. Could they substitute for the kidney beans?
That is fine, you just wouldn’t get the fiber benefit as you would with beans.
Ive been eating this soup off and on for years. here is the big secret to not having gas from the cabbage etc….and this works in anything that causes gas, beans whatever.. add a healthy splash of Balsamic Vinegar to your soup while its cooking. A chef taught me this, and its awesome
That is a GREAT tip! I have never heard of doing that before. Thank you so much for sharing! 😀
I can’t do the canned tomatoes, or V8 juices…is there a substitute ?
For those w/ tomato allergies… What about using the chicken broth as called for, and then in place of the V8 perhaps a tomato-free vegetable stock or even a beef stock or some of each? And in place of the Italian-style canned tomatoes *which have seasoning* maybe an extra carrot, some celery and leeks, and an extra clove of garlic and a pinch more Italian seasonings too?
I think that is a great idea! The garlic and seasoning will give the soup the extra flavor it will need without the V8 juice and canned tomatoes. It’s all about finding what tastes good to you.
This is yummy! Thanks for sharing! spicy V8 is the way to go. It gives it just the kick it needs.
Very excited about this recipe! I have contemplated making a batch of cabbage soup, which I’ve never done, but my mom has. I saw a pic of it and it jogged my memory. Don’t know that recipe, but surely it can be googled. i am newly diagnosed type ll diabetic and was curious about a ballpark figure for the “sugars” and “carbohydrates” in your soup recipe here; i was unable to find the nutrient data posted. I have at least a hundred pounds to lose as well. Its hard, my husband was obese when we met and having my thyroid fail, getting back on my meds, and unhealthy eating, the 90 pounds I lost have come back to me. I was snowed in with my mom who cooks from scratch, was off meds, lost 90 pounds, so I know it can be done. Is there any weight loss groups (free) or forums, that anyone can recommend or attest to from the internet?? I wish everyone well.
Have you checked out sparkpeople.com or myfitnesspal.com?
Dont be surprised to think you are being prepped for a colonoscopy!
Is there a version without tomatoes? I have a bad allergy to them
Not that I know of.. you can try to make it with just broth but it won’t taste quite the same. You can definitely try it and let us know! Sorry I wasn’t much of a help with this one!
For those w/ tomato allergies… What about using the chicken broth as called for, and then in place of the V8 perhaps a tomato-free vegetable stock or even a beef stock or some of each? And in place of the Italian-style canned tomatoes *which have seasoning* maybe an extra carrot, some celery and leeks, and an extra clove of garlic and a pinch more Italian seasonings too?
You can definitely make it without any of the tomato products! Use a good chicken or vegetable broth and don’t be afraid to season it — I frequently use tarragon, nutmeg, pepper, garlic powder, etc. You will end up with a little thinner broth, but it’s easy to thicken a little by pureeing some of the beans. You can still make a delicious and healthy soup without the tomatoes!
Sounds like a good, basic veggie soup recipe that I look forward to making.
I kept reading all the comments just for the comedy factor! LOL.
People are so funny. “I don’t like soup, what else can I put in the magic pot for weightloss?”:-)
lol 😉
I love soup and the variations are endless with a good base and a little imagination! I usually add extra beans or squash (butternut) and puree about half or so to get a creamier base. I don’t puree all the veggies because I like to have chunks so I feel like I am actually eating something. I frequently use homemade stock or sodium free chicken or vegetable bouillon and leave out the V8 and tomatoes. I love tarragon in most veggie soups. I like to use some nutmeg if I puree white beans to thicken it. You can even add some whole grain pasta if you’re okay with a few extra carbs/calories. You can add chicken, turkey, or other meat if you want a heartier soup.
My Mom lives 1000 miles away and I call her most nights when I’m making dinner. For years she asked for my recipe when I told her I was making soup. Now she just asks “How are you making it tonight?” 🙂
With a little creativity you can have a practically limitless variety of healthy soup so you don’t get bored eating the same thing every day! Have fun finding your favorite combinations!
Hi Susan!
I just wanted to add one more option to your list. Sometimes if I like a thicker creamier soup, I like to add lentils. This work especially well for soups that are simmered for longer than an hour. They just fall apart and melt into the broth. so you don’t have to puree anything. They also add a ton of fiber! That being said, I like your option of pureeing navy beans. Good ideas!
Years ago I tried the cabbage soup diet , it worked I lost weight , but I also had diarrhea and could not get within a few feet of a bathroom. Will this do that as well ?
To avoid having diarrhea issues, have some whole wheat toast or a banana or some brown rice along with the soup. That should help!
The brown rice could be added right in the soup.