NHS request for people who regularly eat soup for lunch

While many people love eating soup for their lunch, the NHS has shared important advice

Amber O’Connor Money and Lifestyle reporter U35s

15:17, 20 Jan 2026

Father supervising his teenage kid when preparing food at home.

The NHS shared advice on its website (stock photo)(Image: Getty)

During the winter months, Brits often favour warm, hearty lunches over salads and similar dishes that are typically more popular in the summer. Soup is a common choice for those seeking a comforting meal. It’s usually inexpensive and easy to whip up during a workday lunch break, with supermarkets offering a wide range of fresh and canned options.

Many might believe they’re making a healthy choice by opting for something like vegetable soup. However, soup enthusiasts are advised to consult the latest guidance on the NHS website, as some soups may be less beneficial than others.

As highlighted on the NHS Better Health website, people are urged to consider replacing certain popular lunch items, such as canned soup, from their regular diet. While soup can be a nutritious choice, brimming with essential nutrients, homemade soup is generally healthier than canned varieties.

The NHS emphasises that ‘it’s easy to eat more sugar or salt than we might realise’ at lunchtime, and requests people consider swapping out foods such as tinned soup, ham and cheese sandwiches, and split yoghurt pots if they’re looking to make ‘healthier food swaps’. The NHS suggests replacing these foods with healthier options, along with cereal bars, muffins, crisps, and fizzy drinks.

Fortunately, there are several choices for healthier swaps. Some examples offered by the NHS include plain natural yoghurt, sugar-free jelly, a slice of malt loaf, fresh fruit, and plain popcorn. Or, people might want to follow the NHS-approved recipes found on the website, such as spiced chicken and vegetable soup.

Cropped shot of young Asian woman grocery shopping in supermarket. She is picking up a tin can from the shelf and checking the nutrition label and ingredients.

Check the label when buying tinned soup (stock photo)(Image: Getty)

People can still enjoy tinned soup, muffins, and crisps, but they’re best enjoyed in moderation. The NHS explains: “Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease.

“Regularly consuming foods and drinks high in sugar increases your risk of obesity and tooth decay. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure, which increases your risk of getting heart disease or having a stroke.”

When purchasing canned soup, it’s also worth checking the ingredients, as brands can vary greatly, reports the Mirror. Healthy Food warns: “Some contain well over half your recommended daily sodium limit of 2000mg, which can lead to high blood pressure.

Little girl enjoying a healthy meal of soup in a domestic kitchen setting

Homemade soup could be a healthy lunch option (stock photo)(Image: Getty)

“To stay safe, make your goal no more than 700mg of sodium per serve.” The website adds: “Fresh, chilled soups are closest to what you’d make at home, so they can be nutritious. Avoid the coconut- or cream-based varieties, as they can be high in kilojoules and saturated fat.”

According to The Eatwell Guide, a healthy, balanced diet typically includes:

five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetablesmeals based on higher fibre starchy foods (potatoes, rice, bread etc)some dairy or dairy alternativesome beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteinplenty of fluids (six to eight glasses a day)opting for unsaturated oils and spreads, and eating them in small amounts

The NHS says the recommended daily calorie intake for the average person is 2,500kcal for men and 2,000kcal for women.