Soups are a great option for a nutritious, delicious, and warming meal. Start with a broth including a vegetable stock, tomato puree and your choice of herbs and spices – thyme, garlic, or ground coriander.

Add your choice of chopped vegetables like diced carrots, celery, leeks, baby spinach, zucchini. Head of Nutrition, Julia Scott says the more vegetables the better when it comes to soups.

“A range of vegetables will provide many different vitamins and minerals to your body. They can give a great range of Vitamin B, C, A, K and iron, folate, potassium, and manganese. The nutrition from soups support the function of immune system cells, white blood cell production, antioxidants, and give anti-inflammatory properties.”

Add some lentils to boost both protein and fibre intake allowing sustained nutrition as well as providing protective factors against conditions such as CVD and diabetes.

Once you’ve added vegetables, lentils and broth to the pot you can simmer for around 30 minutes or until the vegetables and lentils are tender.

Serve immediately or if you would prefer a thicker texture, you can blitz some of the soup (1/3) in a blender or food processor. Head of Foodservice, Emily Jakubcik says soups are a regular favourite on winter menus in Arvida Living Well Communities.

“Protecting against infection and supporting your immune system during winter is very important. Soup is great for the body and soul.”