Having canned soup when you’re sick won’t help with recovery if that’s the only thing you’re eating, but sometimes, especially if you are on your own, or everyone around you is sick too, it may be the best you can do. The best options are to choose soups that are salt reduced and having a Heart Foundation tick does make it easy to spot those that are healthier. Do compare the labels as those whose nutrition information panel shows that they have a very similar nutrient profile per 100 grams, will also be healthy.             

It is a great idea to make soup yourself. Use a medium sized onion and brown it with garlic and the add a litre of salt reduced vegetable stock. Pick a colour of vegetable that you like and then add all the vegetables of that colour you can find. For example, for an orange soup, add sweet potato, carrots, pumpkin, the juice of one orange and warm spices like cumin, coriander, garam masala and nutmeg. Simmer until the vegetables are soft and then puree.  You can also make red or green soups in this way.              

If you’ve been sick for a while and you’re not eating well and there’s no one to look after you, take a multivitamin until you are well. This will make up for some, but not all, of the nutrients you’re missing, see a GP if you just don’t pick up and call in some favours from your friends and ask them to help you out with some meals.  The sooner you are well, the sooner you will be able to the same for someone else in need.

Dr Clare Collins