Winter is marked in much of the country by chilly temperatures, bare trees and less daylight. With it comes a tendency toward hibernation, apparent by the fact that 64 percent of American adults eat lunch in -- whether at their home or office -- more often during the winter, according to a recent nationwide survey conducted for Campbell Soup Company. Most people will avoid venturing out into the cold given the choice to stay inside in a warm, comfortable environment. One consequence of this behavior is that people have to get the sensory stimulation they'd typically get from the great outdoors, inside!
Given the absence of bright bursts of color associated with other seasons, it is easy for the senses to dull in the winter. One of the best ways to add more color to your day is with the foods you eat. Because people eat in more during the winter, it is not surprising that a majority (62 percent) makes their own lunch. The noontime meal is the perfect opportunity to provide a feast for your senses every day. A time-honored favorite, soup is one of the best foods to deliver overall sensory appeal, says Marcia Levin Pelchat, Ph.D., a sensory expert at the Monell Center, a research institute in Philadelphia for the study of taste and smell.
"Food is a sensory, as well as nutritional, feast. Soup, in particular, stimulates almost all of our senses," she says. "It's warm, savory and has a wonderful aroma. There's even evidence that foods are especially well liked if they contain a variety of textures, so that the feeling in the mouth changes from the time that the food is tasted until it is swallowed. Soup fits this bill perfectly."
Vegetable soup varieties in particular are a great choice for sensory stimulation. Every bowl offers healthful vegetables as well as a variety of colors, flavors and textures. This winter is a great time to rediscover this classic lunchtime choice because America's favorite soup maker has made significant improvements to its vegetable soups in the famous red and white can, such as Vegetable Beef, Vegetable (Alphabet), Chicken Vegetable, Minestrone and six others. The vegetable varieties are the first in a series to receive a major upgrade that will reinvent condensed soup as only Campbell's can.
What's new? All 10 vegetable varieties have been dramatically improved thanks to an investment in an innovative blending process. The result is a condensed soup with truer flavors, tastier ingredients and brighter, clearer broth than ever before. The improvements include adding more ingredients to each can, such as 20 percent more beef in Vegetable Beef, 40 percent more alphabet letters in Vegetable (Alphabet), and more vegetables in each of the 10 vegetable varieties. The upgrade also marks the first recipe makeover in 40 years for such ageless favorites as Old Fashioned Vegetable.
Instead of just "doing lunch" as usual, there are more ways than ever to add color and variety to your day with a classic midday meal enjoyed in the warmth of your own home or office. Reinvigorate your senses by rediscovering some of these classic combinations:
- Update the classic soup and sandwich combo by pairing your favorite condensed vegetable soup with a wrap, quesadilla or pita.
- For starters, begin any meal with a warm bowl of hearty soup like Beef with Vegetables and Barley to take the edge off the winter chill.
- Make strides toward getting your recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day by trying Campbell's(R) Vegetable (Alphabet), Vegetarian Vegetable, Minestrone or Hearty Vegetable with Pasta. Get a full serving of vegetables in each serving of soup!
For more information and serving suggestions for Campbell's condensed soups, visit www.campbellsoup.com.
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