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Heinz tomato soup offers lycopene but is high in salt and sugar
Heinz Cream of Tomato soup remains a popular British staple, but its salt, sugar and low fibre and protein content may make it less suitable as a meal on its own. A nutritionist says it has some benefits, including a high tomato content and lycopene, which may support heart health; cooking tomatoes can also make lycopene easier to absorb.
A tin contains 204 calories, 2.2g of salt, 2.6g of fibre and 3.4g of protein, as well as nearly five teaspoons of sugar. The lower-sugar-and-salt Heinz version has half the sugar and 25 per cent less salt than the standard soup. For more fibre and protein with less fat, the article highlights Baxters Lentil and Vegetable soup, which provides 7.2g of fibre and 8.4g of protein per can, though it still contains 2.16g of salt.
In short
- Heinz tomato soup has some nutritional benefits but little fibre or protein.
- A standard tin contains 2.2g of salt and nearly five teaspoons of sugar.
- Baxters Lentil and Vegetable soup offers more fibre and protein.
Explained simply
Heinz Cream of Tomato is a long-standing tinned soup in Britain, made mainly from tomatoes and commonly eaten as a quick meal. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a natural pigment that gives them their red colour; cooking can make it easier for the body to absorb.
Nutrition labels show how much salt, sugar, fibre and protein a tin contains, which can help people compare soups and consider how they fit into a meal. Fibre and protein contribute to a more filling meal, while salt and sugar are also relevant when choosing how often to eat a product.
Heinz sells a reduced-sugar-and-salt version, and other brands offer soups with more fibre and protein. Comparing the labels gives shoppers information about these differences without requiring them to avoid any one product.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Is Heinz tomato soup healthy? Dietitians reveal the surprising benefits of canned soups – and the best pick for a filling, fibre-packed dinner”.