SparkPeople Slideshows

12 Heart-Smart Soups and Starters

  • Black Bean Hummus

    Thick and creamy black bean hummus pairs well with raw veggies, baked tortilla chips or pita bread. It also makes for a delicious fiber-filled burrito filling.

  • Roasted Corn and Pepper Soup

    This veggie-packed, low-fat soup can double as a sauce to use over baked chicken. Serve with whole-grain crackers for crunch.

  • Deviled Eggs

    Eggs often get a bad rap for their cholesterol content, but these lightened-up deviled eggs aren't so devilish, after all! This version gets a heart-healthy makeover using just a few secret ingredients.

  • Garden Harvest Veggie Soup

    Vegetarians and carnivores alike will love this hearty veggie soup. Add shredded cooked chicken for an extra boost of protein.

  • Baked Zucchini Bites

    For your next party, try this baked zucchini appetizer as a healthier stand-in for the usual deep-fried suspects. Serve it with a variety of dipping sauces (we love them with plain old ketchup).

  • Roasted Vegetable Soup

    Roasting the vegetables before pureeing them in this vegan soup brings out a wonderful smoky-sweet flavor. Serve with a green salad for an even bigger veggie boost.

  • Grilled Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

    These cheesy stuffed mushrooms are bursting with flavor and cheesy goodness. Feel free to play with different herb and spice combinations to suit your taste.

  • Vegetable Beef Soup

    With such a hearty flavor and texture, it's hard to believe that this veggie beef soup is just over 100 calories and less than 4 grams of fat per serving. Pair with crusty whole-grain bread for a filling meal.

  • Mini Taco Cups

    You can still eat tacos and take care of your heart! These low-sodium snacks are fun to eat and easy to customize. Add salsa, guacamole or chopped red onion for extra flavor and texture.

  • Roasted Squash Soup

    Creamy, golden squash soup will warm you from the inside out! We love topping it with roasted pumpkin seeds for a little extra crunch and a boost of healthy fats.

  • Skinny Fiesta Dip with Baked Lime Chips

    This lightened-up Mexican dip is good enough to eat with a fork, but the tangy lime chips make it even more fun to munch on!

  • Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

    This warm and comforting chicken noodle soup recipe has far less sodium than the canned version. We suggest enjoying it with fresh whole-grain bread and a cup of tea.

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12 Heart-Healthy Soups and Starters

By Melinda Hershey, Staff Writer

Ditch the sodium-filled soups and appetizers. These tasty and nutritious pre-meal nibbles all have the heart-healthy stamp of approval*. Dig in to give your heart some love!

*Based on the heart-healthy guidelines from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Heart Association
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Black Bean Hummus

Thick and creamy black bean hummus pairs well with raw veggies, baked tortilla chips or pita bread. It also makes for a delicious fiber-filled burrito filling.