Vegetable Soups
- Pasta fagioli and Alphabet soup are among the most common vegetable soups, but beware: the pasta, carrots, corn and vegetables they contain make them very high in carbohydrates. For low-carb, Atkins-friendly alternatives, try creamed asparagus soup or creamy garlic zucchini and pea soup. The Atkins website provides recipes for these and other low-carb soups to members -- memberships are free.
Beef Soups
- Low-carb beef soups are versatile enough to be a staple in an Atkins diet. Sauté 1 lb. ground beef and add 4 cups beef stock, 1 tsp. minced garlic, ½ cup chopped fresh cherry tomatoes, 3 chopped celery stalks, 1 diced zucchini and salt, pepper and oregano to taste for a basic, but tasty, vegetable beef soup. Experiment with low-carb additions such as mushrooms, tofu or cheddar cheese, or form ground beef into meatballs or use strips of sirloin instead for variety.
Chicken Soups
- Chicken noodle soup is an American classic, but unless you make it using low-carb pasta, it is, sadly, an Atkins no-no. But fear not, there are lots of low-carb chicken soup recipes that are just as comforting and tasty. Enjoy the Southwestern flavors of chicken tortilla soup --- just ask for it without the tortilla strips for an Atkins-friendly alternative. If you're in the mood for Asian cuisine, try the chicken, shiitake and bok choy soup recipe featured on the official Atkins website.
Pork Soups
- Ham and split pea is a popular soup that is Atkins-friendly if homemade; beware of canned soups, as they usually contain "hidden" carbs. While bacon is high in fat, it is naturally low in carbohydrates, and just a few strips adds tremendous flavor to soups. Cheddar bacon and blue cheese and bacon are two low-carb soup varieties that pack big, bold flavor into an Atkins-friendly meal that is filling enough for lunch or dinner. For a smoky twist on a classic soup flavor, fry and cut up 1/2 lb. of bacon, and add to a low-carb vegetable soup.
