Last Updated on July 7, 2016 by Michael Brockbank
I’ve been a fan of Progresso Soup for quite some time and had no idea there was an actual diet plan surrounding the product. It wasn’t until I saw it displayed in analytics for my site that I realized the Progresso Soup Diet was a thing. Because I was curious, I decided to look up this diet plan and see what it was about. Essentially, the plan centers around eating soup more often in order to lose weight.
Is the Progresso Soup Diet Harmful?
In reality, the Progresso Soup Diet delivers quite a bit of nutritional value. This is especially true when you compare it to other products such as Chef Boyardee pastas. They are lower in calories and often greater in nutrients. However, they are also somewhat high in sodium. You can get more than 1200mg of sodium in a single can of Progresso, which is more than half of your daily recommended value.
Sodium Impact
The human body uses sodium to regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure. There is such a thing as too much. Even though the Progresso Soup Diet will increase your sodium intake, you can offset it by choosing healthier meals throughout the day. Increasing your water intake will also reduce the impact of sodium as your body will expel the excess amount through urine.
If you really want to add more of these products into your day, Progresso’s “Light” and “Reduced Sodium” lines are some of the best to use. These have fewer calories, sodium and carbs per can while keeping with good taste. The real difference is the higher water content in these types of soups.
Calorie Impact
Most Progresso soups are extremely low in calories when comparing it to other brands. This is probably due to the higher water content. One mistake a lot of people make is reducing their calorie intake to ultra-low levels. Although this will cause you to burn fat quicker, it’s also bad for the body. Even obese people need to eat in order to maintain health. Keeping your calories below 1000 per day may send you into shock. Personally, I’ll start to shake or pass out.
Should I Add Progresso Soup to Meals?
I’m not 100% sure why anyone would want a whole can to accompany a meal. In reality, the single can by itself is enough food to keep you going. However, this may be entirely up to your goals and your physical activity. Since I spend 16 hours a day in front of a computer for work and play, I don’t require a great deal of calories. I can see adding the soup to a meal if you’re more active than I. Just bare in mind the sodium content when choosing your primary meal.
Personally, I eat a can of soup for lunch by itself. It’s filling, keeps me going and I enjoy the different flavors available. Although many people do it, I just can’t see the purpose of adding it to any meal. That’s just too much food for me. Sometimes I’ll add a serving of Pringles, but that’s about it.
Can I Eat Other Things While On the Progresso Soup Diet
From what I can tell, there really isn’t an official plan for the Progresso Soup Diet. At least, I am unable to find one. If someone knows of a site I can check out, feel free to send me a message on Twitter or leave a response in the comments below.
Even though many Progresso items offer good nutritional values, they don’t give you everything you need. There are still quite a few vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other components the human body requires for functionality. I wouldn’t suggest eating nothing but soup all day. It may be far healthier if you were to mix it up a bit and eat foods rich in the other materials as well.
I eat a can of Progresso every day for lunch. However, my breakfast and dinners consist of variable things. For instance, I tend to get a lot of my iron and other vitamins through Cream of Wheat first thing in the morning. Adding a multivitamin is also greatly beneficial for starting the day. Then, my dinners are what ever is available in the kitchen.
Isn’t Progresso Soup More Expensive?
When compared to other brands of soup, such as Chef Boyardee, Progresso can be a bit expensive. However, it’s comparable to other products that are similar like Campbell’s line. But if you think about it, you’re eating a $2 can for lunch instead of spending $5 at the drive through window. For myself, it really hasn’t impacted my grocery bill throughout the week.
Even if you were to spend the same $2 at McDonald’s drive through window, the health value is far superior. You’ll get enough food in one can of Progresso while consuming a fraction of the calories. This isn’t including the absurd amount of grease and sodium you’ll get from the dollar menu. Remember, cheap doesn’t mean healthy.
How Does the Progresso Soup Diet Help You Lose Weight?
One of the biggest things I’ve experienced is the lack of appetite after eating these products for lunch. I don’t feel hungry and am satisfied until dinner time rolls around. For me, this keeps my lunch at a manageable level while delivering some of the nutrients I need throughout the day.
Perhaps the biggest impact to weight loss is the low amount of calories available in each can. Instead of consuming More than 700 calories from a double cheese burger and a Hot-n-Spicy McChicken, you’re eating less than half of that amount in most cans of soup for the same price. This is saying nothing about the comparison in carbohydrates.
I’ve seen some blogs stating that you get lethargic from eating soup all week. Personally, I’ve never experienced this. It may be the B-complex vitamins I consume throughout the day or the excessive amount of coffee I drink, but I’ve never felt too tired from eating soup. For me, it’s just another meal to fill my stomach through the day without obvious or harmful repercussions.
What Do I Think About the Progresso Soup Diet?
Like I said before, I didn’t even know this was a thing. I just like the brand and the selection of products. As long as you can offset the sodium intake throughout the day, I don’t see why this couldn’t be a viable method to lose weight in a healthy manner. I know I have.
There are simply too many diet plans on the Internet that claim to have the best results. In reality, dieting is dependent on you and what you find to work best. For me, it’s eating Progresso soups for lunch. Before you resolve yourself to follow any diet plan, make sure it’s conducive to your own health. Everyone is different, and what may work for someone else may be bad for you.
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