Recipes and Cooking Healthy Recipes Heart-Healthy Recipes 9 Heart-Healthy Soups and Starters Your Taste Buds Will Thank You For By Kelsey Ogletree Kelsey Ogletree Instagram Twitter Website Kelsey Ogletree has more than 12 years of reporting experience covering wellness, food, travel, and lifestyle topics. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 17, 2023 Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Jason Donnelly We all want something to look forward to at mealtimes. While greens are good, you don't have to eat only salads before every main course. Plenty of heart-healthy soups and starters will leave you feeling satiated and excited to sit down to a meal. Plus, studies show that eating nutrient-dense foods low in calories, sodium, and cholesterol significantly lowers the risk of heart disease and boosts mood and energy levels (talk about a win-win!). From low-sodium soup recipes and effortless dips to appetizers with global flavors, these heart-healthy dishes prove that nutritious eating can be a breeze. 01 of 09 Chunky Minestrone View Recipe Chip Nadeau High in fiber and made with whole ingredients, this heart-healthy minestrone is just what the doctor ordered. As the name suggests, this dish serves up a delicious texture with a nutritional boost thanks to crushed tomatoes, long-grain rice, fresh spinach, navy beans, and zucchini. 02 of 09 Rosemary-Lemon Yogurt Dip View Recipe Blaine Moats When it comes to simple, healthy snacks and appetizers, dips are a no-brainer. This zesty, yogurt-based dip is easy to make and heart-healthy with only 15 calories and 78 mg of sodium per serving. Pair it with roasted veggies for a wholesome appetizer, or serve it as a dipping sauce for grilled meats. 03 of 09 Winter White Vegetable Soup View Recipe Colleen Duffley If you are looking to mix up your veggie intake, this low-sodium vegetable soup veers off the beaten path by including often-overlooked celeriac, fennel bulb, beets, and parsnips. With a velvety texture and a distinct white color, this delicious dish comes together quickly but is fancy enough to serve at a dinner party. 04 of 09 Veggie Summer Rolls with Chimichurri Sauce View Recipe Blaine Moats Try your hand at rice paper rolling with this Asian fusion appetizer. This recipe relies on fragrant Argentine chimichurri, a popular South American sauce that gets its flavor from fresh garlic and parsley. It's a delightful complement to the refreshing crunch of the summer roll. While making the wraps might take some trial and error, with enough practice, you will be able to serve this fancy-looking dish to friends in no time. 05 of 09 Green Bean Soup View Recipe Shimon Tammar This uncomplicated vegetable soup takes a unique spin on a classic side dish. The green beans provide a rich source of vitamins and maintain their crisp texture while swimming in the warm, savory broth to make this low-calorie, low-carb soup both heart-healthy and delicious. 06 of 09 Avocado-Poblano Salsa View Recipe Jason Donnelly Who said healthy eating has to be bland? Add spice to your diet with the fresh flavors of poblano peppers, red onion, and cilantro in this low-sodium salsa recipe. Serve with homemade chips or with jumbo shrimp for a satisfying shrimp cocktail. 07 of 09 Caldo De Camaron (Shrimp Soup) View Recipe Carson Downing Fresh shrimp is the star in this flavor-packed, low-sodium soup with roots tracing back to Nayarit, a coastal home to ancient civilizations in Mexico. Take your taste buds on a journey with notes of chipotle, adobo, and epazote in every bite. Serve with warm corn tortillas and lime wedges for a true south-of-the-border experience. 08 of 09 Summer Squash Soup with Whole Wheat Orzo View Recipe Blaine Moats Don't let the name of this heart-healthy soup recipe fool you—this summer squash soup can be enjoyed year-round. The vitamin A-rich, yellow flesh of the squash and firm texture of the orzo work together in this recipe to deliver a bowl of comfort with just a hint of sweetness. 09 of 09 Vegetable Garden Soup with Turkey View Recipe Jason Donnelly Loaded with lean protein and fresh veggies and low in fat, this vegetable soup will make your heart as happy as your stomach. Start to finish, it's ready to serve in 40 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. It's also a smart way to use leftover cooked turkey or chicken breast. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020," Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2016