Leena Watts
Heinz tomato soup is a popular choice for those seeking a quick and comforting meal, especially during the colder months. While it may be seen as a healthier alternative to other lunch options, it is important to consider its nutritional content before deeming it suitable for a diet. The soup contains a notable amount of sugar, with 9.7g per 200g portion, contributing to almost 2.5 teaspoons of sugar. This high sugar content, coupled with a significant amount of salt, means that while it can be part of a balanced diet, it should be consumed in moderation and not in excess.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 59 calories per 100g serving (4.3g fat per serving) |
| Carbohydrates | 13.6g per 400g tin (half tin portion) |
| Sugar | 9.7g per 200g portion (2.5 teaspoons per 200g portion) |
| Salt | 1.1g per 200g portion (18% of the recommended daily intake) |
| Nutritional benefits | One of five a day, no preservatives, low fat |
| Nutritional drawbacks | High sugar content, high salt content |
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What You'll Learn
Heinz tomato soup is low in calories
Heinz tomato soup is a popular choice for a quick meal, especially during the colder months. It is marketed as a healthy option, and while it is low in calories, there are some things to be aware of if you are considering incorporating it into your diet.
Firstly, let's address the calorie content. According to Heinz, a serving size of cream of tomato soup is 100g, and each serving contains 59 calories. This means that a small tin, which contains three servings, has around 177 calories, while a large tin, with eight servings, has 472 calories. These values represent less than 6% of the total calories allowed in a 2000-calorie-a-day diet plan. Therefore, Heinz tomato soup can be considered a low-calorie food option.
However, it is important to note that the soup has a relatively high sugar content. Sugar accounts for 9.7g per 200g portion, which is almost 2.5 teaspoons. If you consume a whole 400g tin, you will be ingesting around 5 teaspoons of sugar, which is over 60% of the recommended daily sugar intake for adults. Additionally, while the soup is low in fat, containing only 4.3g per portion, it does contain a significant amount of salt. Each 200g portion has 1.1g of salt, which is around 18% of the recommended daily limit of 6g.
Considering the nutritional information, Heinz tomato soup can be part of a balanced diet, but it should be consumed in moderation and not as a staple. The soup can be a good option if you are aiming to reduce your calorie intake, but be mindful of its sugar and salt content and ensure you are getting a variety of nutrients from other sources. For those on low-carb diets, it is worth noting that Heinz offers a no-added-sugar version of the soup, which has a reduced carbohydrate and sugar content.
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It contains a high level of sugar
While Heinz tomato soup is a comforting and tasty option, it contains a high level of sugar. A 200g portion of the soup contains 9.7g of sugar, which equates to almost 2.5 teaspoons. This means that if you consume a full 400g tin, you will be ingesting nearly 5 teaspoons of sugar, or 19.4g. This is a significant amount, constituting over 60% of the recommended daily sugar intake for adults, which is 30g.
The high sugar content in Heinz tomato soup is likely due to the large proportion of tomatoes in the recipe, which is 88-89%. Tomatoes are naturally acidic, so a large quantity of sugar is needed to balance the flavour. While the soup is low in fat and does not contain preservatives, the high sugar content means it is not the healthiest option for those watching their weight or their sugar intake.
Excessive sugar consumption is linked to weight gain and can also increase the risk of dental cavities and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the sugar content in foods and maintain a balanced diet. If you are concerned about your sugar intake, you may want to consider the Heinz No Added Sugar Cream of Tomato Soup option, which contains 5.3g of sugar per 200g portion.
It is worth noting that the recommended serving size for Heinz cream of tomato soup is 100g, which provides 59 calories. This is a small portion, and many people may consume more than this in one sitting. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the calorie and sugar content in the amount you are consuming to ensure it aligns with your dietary goals.
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The soup is not low in salt
Heinz tomato soup is a popular choice for those seeking a quick and comforting meal, especially during the colder months. While it is marketed as a healthy option, with each serving containing only 59 calories, there are some concerns about its nutritional content, specifically its high sugar and salt content.
A portion of Heinz tomato soup (half of a 400g tin) contains 9.7g of sugar per 200g portion, which equates to almost 2.5 teaspoons. This means that if you consume the entire tin, you will be ingesting nearly five teaspoons of sugar, which is over 60% of the recommended daily sugar intake for adults.
Similarly, Heinz tomato soup is not particularly low in salt. Each 200g portion contains 1.1g of salt, contributing to 18% of the recommended daily salt intake of 6g. While it is not extremely high in salt, it is also not a low-sodium option.
Health experts, such as Dr. Michael Mosley, have specifically warned about the high salt content in Heinz tomato soup. He emphasizes that using more than the recommended daily amount of salt can lead to salt dependency, altering our taste buds and posing significant risks to our health.
Therefore, while Heinz tomato soup can be a comforting and relatively low-calorie option, it is important to be mindful of its sugar and salt content. It should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet and not relied upon as a solely healthy option.
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It counts towards your five a day
Heinz tomato soup is a popular choice for those looking for a quick and comforting meal, especially during the colder months. While it is important to consider overall calorie intake and nutritional content, it can be incorporated into a balanced diet and even counts towards your recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
The soup contains 88%-89% tomatoes, which gives it its distinct flavour. This high tomato content means that a portion of Heinz tomato soup (half of a 400g tin) can be counted as one of your five recommended daily portions of fruit and vegetables. This claim has been defended by Heinz, who maintain that their product can contribute to two of your five-a-day.
However, it is important to note that the soup does contain added sugar and an acidity regulator, citric acid, to balance the high volume of tomatoes. The sugar content is equivalent to almost 2.5 teaspoons per 200g portion, which is a significant amount and contributes to over 60% of the recommended daily sugar intake for adults if a whole 400g tin is consumed.
Despite the high sugar content, the soup is low in fat, with 4.3g per portion, and does not contain any artificial preservatives. It is also important to be mindful of the salt content, with 1.1g of salt per 200g portion. While this is not extremely high, it contributes to about 18% of the recommended daily salt intake limit of 6g.
In conclusion, while Heinz tomato soup does have some nutritional benefits, such as counting towards your five-a-day, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The high sugar and salt content mean it should not be relied upon as a solely "healthy" option, but occasional consumption can be enjoyed as part of a varied and nutritious diet.
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It can be replaced with a keto-friendly recipe
While Heinz tomato soup is low in calories, it may not be suitable for all diets, especially keto diets, due to its carbohydrate and sugar content. However, you can easily make a keto-friendly version at home that is healthy and delicious.
To make a keto-friendly tomato soup, you can use fresh or canned tomatoes, but make sure they are organic and have no added sugar. If you use canned tomatoes, choose a brand that only contains tomatoes and no other additives. For fresh tomatoes, look for ones that are ripe but still firm, with smooth skin. Beefsteak, Romas, early girl, or even mini Romas or cherry tomatoes can be used. Roasting your own tomatoes will add incredible flavour to your soup. To roast them, preheat your oven to 425 degrees, slice the tomatoes in half, place them skin-side up on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 30 minutes, or until the skins start to brown slightly. Let them cool, then peel off the skins.
In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt some butter and swirl it around. Add in chopped onions and saute until they turn translucent, which should take about three to five minutes. Then, add in the roasted tomatoes and their liquid, pesto, spices, concentrated broth, and water. You can also add in some tomato bouillon for extra flavour, but be aware that it contains sugar, cornstarch, and MSG. If you are strict about ingredients, you may want to skip this. Next, add in some heavy cream or coconut milk to thicken the soup and give it a creamy texture. You can also add salt and pepper to taste, but go easy on the salt as bouillon and broth are already salty. Finally, use a blender to blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
This keto-friendly tomato soup is low in carbs and has a traditional flavour. It can be a perfect comfort food during chilly winter days and can easily be adapted to fit a paleo or dairy-free lifestyle.
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Frequently asked questions
Heinz tomato soup is not the healthiest option for a diet due to its high sugar content, which is almost 2.5 teaspoons per 200 g portion. However, it is low in fat and calories, so it can be consumed occasionally as part of a balanced diet.
A 400 g tin of Heinz tomato soup contains about 5 teaspoons of sugar, which is over 60% of the recommended daily sugar intake for adults.
A 100 g serving of Heinz tomato soup, which is the recommended serving size, contains 59 calories. A 400 g tin would contain about 236 calories.
Yes, Heinz tomato soup contains 88-89% tomatoes, which Heinz claims counts for 2 out of your 5 portions of fruit or vegetables per day.
Heinz tomato soup is not extremely high in salt, but it is also not very low. A 200 g portion of Heinz tomato soup contains 1.1 g of salt, which is about 18% of the recommended daily salt intake.
