Soup has earned a well-established place in culinary traditions around the world. It is not only a comforting starter that warms you from within, but also a nutrient-rich source of fluids. However, to fully benefit from its nutritional value and its positive effects on digestion, choosing the right time and the right ingredients is essential.
Before or After a Meal? The Role of Soup in Digestion
In traditional Turkish cuisine, the custom of starting dinner with soup is no coincidence. Biologically, the first warm liquid entering the stomach stimulates the stomach lining and initiates the secretion of digestive enzymes.
- Before the Main Course: Starting a meal with soup helps create a feeling of fullness by occupying some of the stomach’s volume. This can help prevent overeating and consuming large portions too quickly during the main course.
- Preparing the Stomach: Vegetable or legume-based soups, particularly those rich in fiber, can help regulate bowel movements and prepare the digestive system for the easier processing of solid foods.
Which Soup Should You Have at Different Times of the Day?
Just as important as when you drink soup is choosing the right type of soup for the time of day.
- Starting the Day (Morning): The tradition of having soup for breakfast is quite common in the Anatolian region of Turkey. Soups such as lentil soup, Ezogelin soup, or bone broth-based soups can provide sustained energy while helping maintain more balanced blood sugar levels throughout the morning.
- In the Evening: For dinner, light vegetable soups without cream or yogurt-based soups, such as Yayla soup, are preferable. Choosing light ingredients that do not put a strain on the stomach before bedtime may contribute to a more comfortable and restful sleep.
- During Illness and Recovery: Soups rich in protein and collagen, such as kelle paça, bone marrow broth, or chicken soup, can be enjoyed at any time of the day as nourishing options during periods of illness and recovery.
The most important thing to keep in mind when drinking soup is to avoid consuming it while it is extremely hot. For the protection of the esophageal lining, soup should be allowed to cool to a warm, comfortable drinking temperature before consumption.