Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies

Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic, creamy tomato soup made by blending canned tomato base with low-fat milk, resulting in a velvety, slightly sweet, and tangy comfort food. It's a lighter, more nutritious twist on the traditional version, offering a smooth texture and a comforting warmth. The addition of milk boosts its protein and calcium content while keeping the calorie count remarkably low.
People love it for its nostalgic, comforting flavor that pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese sandwich. Its smooth, creamy texture and balanced sweet-tart profile make it a universally appealing and versatile meal starter or light lunch.
The added milk can cause digestive discomfort for those with lactose intolerance or a milk allergy. Canned versions are often high in sodium, which can be a concern for blood pressure management. To counteract this, choose low-sodium varieties and pair the soup with a side of whole-grain bread or a small salad to add fiber and slow the absorption of its natural sugars.
The classic pairing of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches became a staple in American school cafeterias in the 1960s, largely due to the convenience and affordability of canned soup.
| Water | 85.2 g |
| Energy | 55.0 kcal |
| Energy | 229 kj |
| Protein | 2.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.2 g |
| Ash | 1.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 9.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.50 g |
| Total Sugars | 6.6 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 1.7 g |
| Fructose | 2.3 g |
| Lactose | 2.6 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.01 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 68.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.30 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 13.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 63.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 343 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 206 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.34 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 6.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 0.46 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.06 mg |
| Folate, total | 2.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 2.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 2.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 14.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.28 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 38.0 ug |
| Retinol | 29.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 115 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 287 iu |
| Lycopene | 5261 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 43.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 25.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.6 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.71 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.33 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.14 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.36 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.30 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 4.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.03 g |
| Threonine | 0.09 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.11 g |
| Leucine | 0.20 g |
| Lysine | 0.16 g |
| Methionine | 0.05 g |
| Cystine | 0.02 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.12 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.10 g |
| Valine | 0.14 g |
| Arginine | 0.07 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.08 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.21 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.68 g |
| Glycine | 0.05 g |
| Proline | 0.22 g |
| Serine | 0.13 g |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Is this soup healthy?
Yes, it's a low-calorie, nutrient-dense option that provides lycopene, calcium, and protein. However, check the sodium content on the label, as canned soups can be high in salt.
Can I use whole milk instead of low-fat?
Yes, but it will increase the fat and calorie content. The soup will be richer and creamier, but the nutritional profile will change accordingly.
How can I reduce the sodium in canned tomato soup?
Look for low-sodium or no-salt-added versions. You can also dilute the soup with a bit of water or unsalted vegetable broth and add fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon to enhance flavor without adding salt.