Beer cheese soup is a thick, creamy soup that is made with beer, cheese, and vegetables. It originated in the Midwestern United States and is a popular comfort food during the cold winter months. Beer cheese soup is hearty, filling, and flavorful. But how does it stack up nutritionally? In this article, we will analyze the nutrition facts of beer cheese soup and discuss whether it can be part of a healthy diet.
Ingredients in Beer Cheese Soup
The main ingredients in classic beer cheese soup recipes include:
- Beer – Usually a pale ale or lager. Provides some B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and alcohol.
- Cheese – Typically cheddar, Colby, or American cheese. High in calcium, protein, and fat.
- Onion and garlic – Contain fiber, manganese, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
- Carrots – Rich in vitamin A, biotin, potassium, and fiber.
- Celery – Provides vitamin K, folate, potassium, and fiber.
- Chicken or vegetable broth – Adds flavor and nutrients like B vitamins and minerals.
- Flour – Used to thicken the soup. Provides carbs, protein, iron, and B vitamins.
- Butter or oil – Adds fat, calories, and flavor.
- Cream – Provides fat, calcium, and flavor.
- Seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, etc.
As you can see, traditional beer cheese soup contains a mix of proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Now let’s analyze the specific nutritional values.
Nutrition Facts of Beer Cheese Soup
The nutrition of beer cheese soup can vary based on the specific ingredients and recipe. However, here are some general nutrition facts for a 1 cup serving:
Calories
There can be 300-400 calories in 1 cup of beer cheese soup. This is moderately high for a soup. The calories come mostly from fat and carbs.
Fat
The fat content ranges from 15-25g per serving. Much of this comes from high-fat dairy products like cheese, cream, and butter. Saturated fat makes up around 45-70% of the total fat.
Carbohydrates
Carbs provide 20-30g per serving. This comes from the beer, flour, vegetables, and small amounts of sugar. Fiber content is 3-4g. Net carbs are around 25g.
Protein
A serving of beer cheese soup has 10-15g of protein. This comes primarily from the milk products like cheese and cream.
Micronutrients
Beer cheese soup provides a range of vitamins and minerals. These include:
- Calcium: 20-30% DV
- Vitamin A: 45% DV
- Vitamin C: 15% DV
- Folate: 15% DV
- Vitamin K: 30% DV
- Phosphorus: 15-20% DV
- Zinc: 10% DV
- Sodium: 25-35% DV
Amounts vary based on ingredients, but the soup provides a significant amount of important vitamins and minerals.
Beer Nutrition
The nutrition profile of beer can vary by brand and type. But generally a 12oz serving provides:
- 100-150 calories
- 10-15g carbs
- Small amounts of protein, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium.
- B vitamins including B6, B12, niacin, riboflavin, and folate.
- Antioxidants from hops.
The beer adds useful B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to the soup. But it also contributes extra calories and carbs.
Is Beer Cheese Soup Healthy?
Looking at the nutrition information, is beer cheese soup a healthy food choice? Here are some key considerations:
Pros
- Provides protein from the dairy products
- Good source of calcium for bone health
- Contains several beneficial vitamins and minerals
- Vegetables add fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, etc.
- Beer contributes B vitamins and antioxidants
- Can be filling and satisfying
Cons
- High in calories, fat, carbs if large portions eaten
- Higher in saturated fat and sodium
- The beer adds extra calories and alcohol
- Often made with processed ingredients
- May lack nutrients found in other unprocessed soups
- Not enough vegetables for a well-rounded meal
Tips for a Healthy Beer Cheese Soup
Here are some tips to make beer cheese soup more nutritious:
- Use reduced-fat milk and low-fat cheeses
- Increase the amount of vegetables
- Replace some of the refined flour with whole wheat flour
- Use herbs to flavor instead of too much salt
- Add beans or chicken for more protein
- Use less oil and butter or replace with avocado oil
- Cut back on high-fat cream and use evaporated milk
- Limit beer to 1/2 cup per serving
Conclusion
Beer cheese soup can be an enjoyable comfort food when homemade with quality whole food ingredients. In moderation, it can provide useful amounts of protein, calcium, vitamins, and antioxidants. However, the high calorie, fat, carb, and sodium content means it’s best consumed occasionally rather than regularly. Pay attention to portion sizes and choose light beer and low-fat dairy to keep the nutrition profile balanced. Overall, beer cheese soup can be part of a healthy diet when enjoyed mindfully and in combination with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.