Jason's Deli Broccoli Cheese Soup: A Keto Delight?

Jason's Deli is a fast-food restaurant with a wide range of menu options, including soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. For those on a ketogenic diet, the restaurant offers several low-carb options, including customisable salads and sandwiches. The Broccoli Cheese Soup, in particular, has been highlighted as a keto-friendly choice. With 12g of net carbs per serving, it falls within the standard keto diet guidelines. However, it is important to note that the soup has a high sodium content, which may be a concern for those monitoring their sodium intake. Overall, Jason's Deli provides flexibility and customisation for customers looking to maintain their ketogenic diet while enjoying a variety of food options.

The soup is keto-friendly, with 12g net carbs per serving

Broccoli cheese soup is a delicious, hearty meal, and it's good news for keto dieters that Jason's Deli's version is keto-friendly, with 12g net carbs per serving. This means you can enjoy a cup of this tasty soup without worrying about exceeding your daily carb limit.

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet, and Jason's Deli's broccoli cheese soup fits the bill. With only 12g of net carbs per serving, it's a great option for those watching their carb intake. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting fibre and sugar alcohols from the total carb count, giving you the number of carbs that affect your blood sugar. So, with 12g net carbs, this soup is well within the standard keto diet guidelines, which recommend keeping net carbs to 25g or less per day.

When following a keto diet, it's important to be mindful of your carb intake and choose foods that fit within your daily carb limit. This can be challenging when eating out, but Jason's Deli's broccoli cheese soup is a great option. It's also worth noting that the soup is high in sodium, so if you are watching your sodium intake, you may want to consider this when planning your meals.

In addition to the broccoli cheese soup, Jason's Deli offers a variety of other keto-friendly options. Their salad bar is a great choice for keto dieters, as you can build your own bowl with low-carb ingredients like salami, roast beef, hot pastrami, and a variety of cheeses. Their website also has a nutritional calculator, so you can determine the exact carb count of your meal.

So, if you're following a keto diet and craving some comfort food, Jason's Deli's broccoli cheese soup is a great option. With only 12g net carbs per serving, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without compromising your keto goals.

It's high in sodium, with 1018mg per serving

The broccoli cheese soup at Jason's Deli is considered high in sodium, with 1018mg per serving. This is significantly above the FDA's recommended daily maximum sodium intake of 2300mg.

High sodium intake is associated with several health problems, including heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and kidney malfunctions. While the link between high salt intake and obesity has not been proven direct, studies suggest that salt may trigger overeating by increasing feelings of hunger.

It is important to note that sodium additives are often responsible for high sodium levels in packaged and restaurant foods. Therefore, when consuming high-sodium meals like the broccoli cheese soup at Jason's Deli, it is essential to be mindful of your overall sodium intake throughout the day.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that while the soup is high in sodium, it is still considered keto-friendly in terms of net carbs, with 12g per serving, falling within the standard keto diet guidelines.

It's possible to make a low-carb version at home

Broccoli cheese soup is a delicious comfort food, and it's possible to make a low-carb version at home. Here are some tips and tricks to make a keto-friendly broccoli cheese soup:

Ingredients

When making keto broccoli cheese soup, it's important to choose the right ingredients to keep the carb count low. Here are some suggestions:

• Broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli can be used. Frozen broccoli is convenient and can be steamed in the microwave before adding it to the soup.
• Cheese: Use natural cheese and shred it yourself to prevent clumping and hidden carbohydrates. Tillamook cheese is a good option. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it often contains hidden carbs and additives.
• Cream Cheese: It's best to use room-temperature cream cheese to help it blend smoothly into the soup.
• Spices and Seasonings: Black pepper, onion powder, ground mustard seed, and paprika add flavour to the soup.
• Broth: Vegetable broth or chicken broth can be used as the base for the soup.
• Thickening Agent: Xanthan gum is used to thicken the soup. If you don't have xanthan gum, corn starch can be used as a substitute, but it adds more carbs.

Preparation

• Start by washing and chopping the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. A food processor can speed up this process.
• Shred the cheddar cheese.
• Set the cream cheese out on the counter to bring it to room temperature.
• If using fresh garlic, mince it.
• Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the broccoli and garlic, along with a small amount of water. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is soft.
• Add the heavy whipping cream and all the seasonings. Stir to combine.
• Bring the cream to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring as needed.
• Pour in the vegetable broth, cover the pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the broccoli is very tender, which will take around 15-20 minutes.
• Chop the cream cheese into small pieces and add them to the soup, stirring until it melts.
• Slowly add the shredded cheddar cheese, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until it melts completely.
• To thicken the soup, mix a small amount of the soup broth with the xanthan gum in a separate bowl, then pour it back into the soup.

Customization

Feel free to customize the recipe to make it your own! Here are some suggestions:

• Double the amount of broccoli for extra veggies.
• Top the soup with extra shredded cheese and/or chives.
• Add curry powder for a unique flavour.
• Blend the soup for a creamier texture.
• If you don't have ground mustard, regular yellow mustard can be used as a substitute.

Storage

If you have leftover soup, don't let it go to waste! Freeze it in freezer bags or containers, labelled with the date and contents. This way, you can enjoy a warm bowl of keto broccoli cheese soup anytime you crave it.

It's one of many keto-friendly options at Jason's Deli

Broccoli cheese soup is one of many keto-friendly options at Jason's Deli. The cup-sized portion of the soup contains 12g of net carbs per serving, which is within the range for standard keto diet guidelines. This means that you can enjoy a delicious, warm bowl of soup without falling out of ketosis.

In addition to the broccoli cheese soup, Jason's Deli offers a variety of keto-friendly options, especially if you are looking for low-carb meals. Their menu includes an extensive selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps that can cater to those on a ketogenic diet. The salad bar, in particular, stands out as a great option for keto dieters, as it allows you to build your own bowl with an array of low-carb ingredients.

When crafting your keto-friendly bowl at Jason's Deli, you have numerous choices. Start with a base of organic field greens, mixed salad greens, or organic spinach, each contributing only 5-6g of net carbs. Then, you can add an assortment of low-carb vegetables, such as artichoke hearts, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and more, all with minimal net carbs.

For your protein fix, Jason's Deli offers several low-carb meat options, including chicken salad with almond and pineapples (7g net carbs), tuna salad with eggs (0.5g net carbs), smoked turkey breast (3g net carbs), sirloin steak (0g net carbs), and many others. Just be mindful of the sugar content in some of these options, like the chicken salad with pineapples.

To make your bowl more indulgent and satisfying, you can incorporate various cheeses, such as Jalapeno Pepper Jack, Feta, and Provolone, which have minimal carbs. These cheeses not only enhance the flavor but also boost the fat content of your meal, aligning with keto diet principles.

Condiments like bacon bits, piquillo peppers, spicy giardiniera, and sunflower seeds can be used sparingly to add a punch of flavor without derailing your keto journey. When it comes to dressings, opt for red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, homemade ranch dressing, Italian dressing, or jalapeno ranch, all of which have a relatively low carb count.

While Jason's Deli shines with its customizable salad bar and keto-friendly options, it's important to note that their side dishes are not very keto-friendly, often loaded with carbs. However, with careful planning and the use of their nutritional calculator, you can design meals that fit seamlessly into your keto diet.

It's cheaper to buy ingredients and make it yourself

Broccoli cheese soup is a delicious and comforting meal, especially when the weather is chilly. While it is convenient to order takeout, making this soup yourself is a more cost-effective option. Here are some reasons why preparing it at home is cheaper than buying it from Jason's Deli:

Economical Bulk Purchases:

When you buy ingredients in bulk, you often get a better deal. For example, purchasing a large bag of frozen broccoli florets or a block of cheese will likely cost less per serving than buying pre-cut or pre-packaged options. You can also stock up on spices and other dry goods, which tend to have a long shelf life.

Control Over Ingredients:

Making the soup at home allows you to control the quality and quantity of ingredients used. You can opt for organic or locally sourced produce, choose free-range or grass-fed dairy, or select specific brands that align with your values or dietary preferences. This level of customization is often not available when ordering from a restaurant.

Reduced Waste and Portion Control:

When you make a large batch of soup at home, you can portion it into individual servings and freeze them for later. This not only saves money but also reduces food waste. Additionally, preparing your meals allows you to better control your portion sizes, which can be challenging when eating out.

Cost of Dining Out:

The cost of dining out includes not only the meal but also taxes, tips, and sometimes delivery fees. These additional expenses quickly add up, making it much more expensive than cooking at home. By preparing the soup yourself, you eliminate these extra costs and have more control over your budget.

Leftovers and Batch Cooking:

Soups are excellent for batch cooking, and you can easily double or triple the recipe to make a large pot that will last for several meals. This saves time and money, as you won't need to cook every day. Leftovers can be a lifesaver on busy days, and you can freeze them for future quick and convenient meals.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to order takeout, making your own broccoli cheese soup is a more economical choice. It allows you to save money, control the quality of ingredients, reduce waste, and have delicious, nutritious meals ready whenever you need them. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your chef's hat, and get cooking!

Frequently asked questions