Molly-Mae Hague just revealed one of her favourite lunches — and the tasty meal is perfect for anyone who needs a vitamin boost. In her latest vlog shared on YouTube, the Maebe founder shared one of her go-to dishes and her healthy addition.
It turns out Molly-Mae loves toasties, and she serves hers up alongside tomato soup. “I actually don’t know what I did before I had my toastie maker in my life,” Molly-Mae explained. “I have two now, but this one I absolutely love. I love making toasties for lunch.”
Finishing up her meal, Molly-Mae added: “I’m having a spot of tomato soup with that.” She confessed: “I don’t actually love soup like it’s not really my favourite thing ever, but with a toastie, I can get on board.”
Of course, it’s common to pair soup with a toastie. It’s a comfort food staple for many. Some say it’s the ideal combo for chilly winter days. It could also make a great choice for anyone keen to boost their vitamin C, reports the Mirror.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to disease. It also helps maintain healthy skin, bones, cartilage, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system, helps your body absorb iron and copper and may help reduce inflammation.
Healthline says: “Tomato soup is an excellent source of antioxidants, including lycopene, flavonoids, and vitamins C and E, among many others. Consuming antioxidants has been linked with a lower risk of cancer and inflammation-related diseases, such as obesity and heart disease.
“Additionally, research has shown that the antioxidant action of vitamin C and flavonoids may help protect against type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and brain diseases.” Tomatoes are also rich in potassium – which is a vital mineral for healthy heart function. Plus, they contain about as much potassium as a medium banana. Other benefits of eating tomatoes include:
- Tomatoes are rich in potassium, which is essential for relaxing blood vessels
- Tomatoes contain vitamin A and other carotenoids, which are important for maintaining eye health
- The carotenoids in tomatoes may help prevent UV damage
- They are rich in vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting and bone health
If you opt for shop-bought soup, it’s worth looking out for high salt and sugar levels, as this can make the soup an unhealthy option for you. If you’d rather cook at home, the British Heart Foundation’s website features healthy soup recipes you can prepare in batches.
For instance, there’s a roasted tomato and lentil soup that can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. There are also healthy options for people who don’t like tomatoes.
As for toasties, Healthline suggests grilled cheese sandwiches should be enjoyed in moderation, explaining: “They are high in calories, fat, sodium, and low in fibre. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them in moderation.”
Other healthy lunch ideas recommended by the British Heart Foundation include lentil and vegetable soup; carrot and parsnip soup; egg, tomato, and cucumber wholemeal bread sandwich; jacket potato with half a can of reduced-sugar-and-salt baked beans; and a chicken and vegetable traybake.