The Diet Diary

Eating low energy density soup with lunch is a great way to feel full all after noon, so you can avoid vending machines. But many vitamin rich soup and stew recipes are difficult to prepare for one or two people. Soup is also difficult to carry to lunch. Here’s a tip that solves both problems: After making a batch of soup, freeze individual portions in handy portable containers.

Here’s how.

• Select “hot” beverage cups, suitable for coffee; avoid cup with wax coatings. The “hot” beverage cups can be reheated in the microwave. These come in all sizes; I’ve found 8 oz, 12 oz and 16 oz cups at my grocery store.
• Use a ladle to fill the individual cups. (Leave yourself just enough soup for your next one or two meals at home.)
• Place in freezer. After the soup freezes solid, find a zip lock back to seal the batch.

Now that you’ve frozen these, how do you use them?

To carry to work or school lunches, just take one out of the freezer, drop it in the lunch along with a plastic spoon. Even if you don’t have a fridge at work, the soup will defrost slowly, staying fresh. Do place the cup upright; the melted bits will get drippy!

When you want to eat, pop the soup in the microwave, heat, stir and eat. (You may want to buy some of those coffee sleeves for your cup!)

To use at home, defrost individual servings, pour in a bowl, stir and serve as your first course. Remember: a low energy density soup is just what the Volumetrics weight loss program advises!