Potato leek soup is a dish with a chicken stock base flavored with herbs. Leeks sauteed in butter or fat are added, as are boiled chunks of potato. In some versions, the soup stock contains a small amount of heavy cream or crème fraiche, as well. This soup provides a range of nutritional benefits.
Calories
A 200-gram serving of potato leek soup — approximately one cup — contains 80 to 180 calories, according to LIVESTRONG's food database MyPlate This amount may vary based on whether the soup contains cream, and the ratio of soup stock-to-vegetables. A standard size lunch contains 300 to 600 calories, so be sure to pair your soup with a sandwich or salad for a nutritious, filling lunch.
Fat
One cup of potato leek soup contains 1.5 to 11 grams of fat. It may not add many grams of fat to your daily limit, which is 44 to 78 grams, ideally. Each serving gets 20 to 36 percent of its calories from fat. Try to limit consumption of fats to 20 to 35 percent of your daily calories.
Regularly ingesting more fat than necessary for your bodily functions may result in obesity, as well as an increased risk of medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Saturated fat is particularly dangerous; consume no more than 15 grams per day. A serving of potato leek soup has up to seven grams of saturated fat.
Carbohydrates
The potatoes in potato leek soup serve as a healthy source of carbohydrates. Each one-cup serving contains 15 to 24 grams of this macronutrient, although the amount may vary due to the amount of potatoes in the soup.
Be sure to include at least 130 grams of carbohydrates in your meal plan each day — they serve as your body's main source of energy, breaking down into glucose for fuel. The carbohydrates in this soup are primarily complex carbohydrates, which digest slowly and help promote even energy levels throughout the day, rather than a quick spike.
Protein
A 1 cup serving of potato leek soup provides small amounts of protein — two to three grams per portion. This accounts for only 3.5 percent to 4.3 percent of the amount you need each day.
When possible, pair a cup of this soup with a protein-rich sandwich or a salad containing proteins such as chicken or shrimp. You may also add protein to the soup itself in the form of tofu or turkey. Protein also serves as an energy source for your body, and it helps your body make and repair cells and tissues.
Sodium
Depending on whether you opt for canned or homemade, one serving of potato leek soup can contain up to 500 milligrams of sodium. While you do require sodium in your meal plan to help your body function, in most cases you consume far more than needed.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the average American ingests 3,436 mg each day, but you only require 150 mg to 500 mg. Limiting your daily consumption to 1,500 mg is recommended to avoid medical conditions such as high blood pressure.
More About MyPlate
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