Dr. Stork’s flat- belly soup
Inspired by breakthrough new science, The Doctors host Travis Stork, M.D., has upgraded one of his most slimming recipes—and a lucky group of WW readers was the first to test it. Their verdict? Well, they’re calling it “wonder soup.” California mom Dawnie Lynn, 42, “souped off” a pound a day. “It’s delicious, easy to make and you can’t beat the weight loss,” she raves. Meanwhile, Pam Strickland, 58, shed up to 4 pounds every 24 hours. “I just stopped wanting to overeat,” the Maryland mom marvels. “It’s amazing!”
What makes Dr. Stork’s soup so powerful? Per landmark Penn State University research, any minestrone or chowder—with its unique mix of solids suspended in warm liquid— will flip enough anti-hunger switches in our systems so we consume 400 fewer calories after eating soup than after eating identical ingredients prepared another way. And the latest soup trend amps up results, helping women blast off up to 14 pounds a week! Credit goes to umami —a meaty richness created by the amino acid glutamate. Scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston used hightech scans to show that soup with strong umami lights up an area of the brain that calms appetite and cravings. Bonus: “Our study suggests people at high risk of obesity may benefit most,” reveals study head Miguel Alonso-alonso, M.D., PH.D. He notes that glutamaterich soup prompted overeaters
to adopt key waist-shrinking habits, such as favoring less fatty food and paying more attention during meals.
The evidence is so promising, Dr. Stork upped the umami in his famous ChickenBarley soup. “Umami flavor boosts enjoyment,” he says. “And if it triggers changes in your brain to help you not overeat, it’s a win-win!” The secret to amazing results? It’s all about the right ingredients…
Bone broth. Simmered for hours to extract extra nutrients from soup bones, this lowcalorie broth packs a wallop of umami-boosting glutamate to quiet hunger in the brain. You also get up to 18 other metabolism-revving amino acids and a host of compounds so healing that Harvard findings show the broth calms thyroid-stalling inflammation.
Mushrooms. Umami in mushrooms means they satisfy like meat but for half the calories. Factor in fatfighting nutrients vitamin D and folate and you can see why research shows replacing meat with mushrooms once a day takes 2 1⁄2 inches off your waist.
Chicken. Its protein is hard work to break down, causing metabolism to spike by 30%. (Dr. Stork notes vegetarians can sub in tofu, which also delivers slimming benefits.)
Carrots & onions. These veggies deliver glutamate plus prebiotic fiber that feeds “good” bacteria in the gut, says Dr. Stork. There’s evidence these bacteria fight belly fat, reduce calorie absorption and much more. In one study, prebiotics helped overweight volunteers lose 2.6% of their body fat—no diet required!
Barley. The nutrients in this grain—including glutamate, prebiotics, protein, antioxidants and a special fiber called beta-glucan— are so potent that studies show a single serving kills hunger and increases fat burning all day!
Parmesan. Especially high levels of glutamate give the Italian favorite up to 1,000% more umami than other umami-rich foods. “It’s a massive flavor punch,” notes Dr. Stork. Parmesan also has more metabolism-revving protein than any other cheese.
Put it all together, and you really do have a wonder soup. And while Dr. Stork recommends eating a variety of healthy foods, he says, “Keep a good soup like this on hand as a fast, convenient go-to and you set yourself up to succeed.”
For more of Dr. Stork’s wellness advice, tune in to season 11 of The Doctors airing now (go to Thedoctorstv.com for local listings) and read Dr. Stork’s book The Lose Your Belly Diet, in stores now.