01/16

Skinny Soups To Beat The Bloat

The month of January is all about starting over and getting back on track. This is especially the case after all of the holiday temptations! After overdoing it, it’s normal to feel bloated, tired, and generally just not yourself. In these cases, I turn to soup.

I’ve mentioned my soup “detox” before but don’t let that word scare you. This detox is all about helping your digestive process in its time of need (aka why you feel bloated) to get you back on the right track. You will still feel satisfied eating soups full of flavor but at the same time, giving your digestive system a break.

Here are two of my favorite soups I love to make specifically to de-bloat and recharge:

Skinny Fennel Soup

Fennel, a sweet vegetable used for seasoning, has been a natural aid in digestion for centuries. It also relieves cramps, too!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup diced onion
• 1 small sweet potato, diced – yield ~1/4 cup
• ¼ fennel bulb, sliced – yield ~1/3 cup
• 1 cupvegetable stock
• ⅓ cup cooked millet
• ⅓ cup cooked lentils

Directions:

1. To cook the millet, rinse and drain ¼ cup raw millet before placing it in a small saucepan. Cover with ⅔ cup water. Cover and bring to a boil on high heat. Then reduce heat to low. Cook gently without stirring for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Place the olive oil, onion, sweet potato, and fennel in a medium saucepan on medium-low heat. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring often until sweet potatoes are tender.

Chilled Cucumber & Mint Soup

(via Pop Sugar)

I love, love, love this soup. It’s so refreshing and the mint helps soothe any stomach troubles.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pound English cucumbers, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup chopped mint
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 1 1/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. In a blender container combine cucumber, mint, chives and garlic. Puree until smooth.
2. Pour cucumber mixture into a large bowl and whisk in remaining ingredients. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours to 4 hours.

For more de-bloating tips, check out these links:

The Beauty Reel | Ways To De-Bloat Fast // Hello Glow | 1 Day Bloat Busting Meal Plan // Byrdie | The Quickest Way To Get Rid Of Belly Bloat: For An Event