Soup for the soul with less spending.
We all know as post-secondary students that money is tight, and your time is valuable; that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on nutritious and healthy food options. You shouldn’t be having a diet of low-quality foods that are high in saturated fats and preservatives, along with snacks and drinks that are high in sugar content. Empty calories and overly processed foods can lead to fatigue, sluggishness and, ultimately, illness.
You’ll find in the long run that these unhealthy options will have a less-than-ideal impact on your overall health.
We suggest a different option that will be easier on your body—and your wallet. Introducing the IGNITE Soupbar!
Food to fuel
We know that you can’t always bring food from home and, at times, have to rely on getting your lunch (or dinner) on campus. Why not skip the pizza and chips and instead try out the IGNITE Soupbar? You may be asking yourself, “Well, what is the IGNITE Soupbar?” Good question.
IGNITE believes in providing Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber students with every possible advantage they can get, and this includes healthy food options.
North Campus offers hot soups, while the Lakeshore and Downtown campuses offer frozen soup options.
You “can” do it!
Developing good consumption habits around food is crucial for students in particular. Reports indicate that your brain is fueled by the foods you consume. Physical and mental fitness are often predicated on the foods you eat.
Not only does food provide energy and the building blocks for high levels of cogitative function, it also prevents and protects from diseases. Develop good habits around eating healthy and your mind and body will thank you for it later.
The IGNITE Soupbar is the perfect balance between healthy eating and convenience. Let’s take a look at some of the featured soup options available to students.
A flavour for every palate
Minestrone soup
This Italian-style vegetable soup is made up of onion, garlic, celery, carrots, zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, kidney beans, pasta, vegetable broth, olive oil, basil, oregano, salt and pepper.
Because of its mix of vegetables, greens and beans, this dish provides you with nutrients that help you stay fit and even slow aging!
Chicken Noodle Soup
A classic, this widely sought-after soup is made up of chicken broth, noodles, celery, chicken, onion and corn starch.
As you probably know, this soup is the go-to meal for when you’re under the weather. The broth provides hydrating fluid and electrolytes like sodium, potassium and magnesium, which is super helpful when you have a fever or are becoming dehydrated. And if your nose is plugged, the steam from hot soup can even open up your nasal passages!
Gumbo Soup
A hearty soup is made up of shrimp, chicken, sausage, okra, onions, celery, bell peppers, garlic, flour, chicken broth and spices.
This soup is a well-rounded meal that’s high in protein, maintains your hydration levels and even contains heart-healthy ingredients!
Miso Soup
Originally hailing from Japan, this soup features miso paste, tofu, seaweed, green onions and dashi broth.
Besides being more famous than many celebrities, miso soup is a good source of probiotics, which are bacteria that help boost gut health by improving digestion and reducing symptoms like gas, constipation and diarrhea.
Ramen Soup
A widely popular soup made up of noodles, pork, eggs, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, miso, chicken broth and sesame oil.
Ramen was first introduced in Japan in the late 19th century by Chinese immigrants arriving in port cities like Yokohama and Nagasaki.
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Finally, we have this filling and delicious rich soup made up of ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes, rice, onions, garlic, beef broth, salt and pepper.
These are just a taste of the hot soup options that are available. There are many more options, and you can find the right one that you like best and enjoy!
More soup, less stress
Having access to your choice of soups at no cost means you have one less excuse for eating poorly or not at all. Food insecurity is a serious issue in Canada as the cost of living continues to rise and we see everything (including food) becoming more and more expensive.
IGNITE, in partnership with Humber, is making a big commitment to feeding students quality (and tasty!) food so you can focus on your next exam and not where your next meal is going to come from.
Whether you’re running to your next class, in a lecture that is taking way too long or have to stay up and study for that test coming up, you need your body to be running at optimal levels. Food plays an intricate role in your bodily functions.
The IGNITE Soupbar provides hot soup options at the LinX Lounge (LX110), free of charge at the North campus. The hours are Monday to Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Humber Lakeshore campus and the Downtown campus offer frozen soups in different flavours. You can find them at L-Commons 2nd floor, in the freezer next to the elevators at Lakeshore, and on the 5th Floor, in Room 503 at the Downtown campus.
Discover the behind-the-scenes process of bringing the IGNITE Soupbar to life!
Feature image courtesy of IGNITE.
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