People comparing food labels
You want to compare carbohydrates, sugars, fibre and salt on a like-for-like basis, then factor in the amount you’ll actually serve in your bowl.
Who are these criteria useful for?
People keeping an eye on salt
You also check the soup’s salt content and consider it as part of the rest of your meal, rather than relying on the recipe name alone.
People looking for a quick meal
You’re choosing between a ready-to-serve liquid soup and an instant soup. How it’s prepared and the portion size affect how you compare the labels.
What should you compare before buying?
When comparing ready-to-eat soups, start with the nutrition information per 100 ml, then check what that means for your bowl. For soup that needs reconstituting, first check whether the figures are for the dry product or the prepared soup.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates and sugars | Compare ‘carbohydrate’ and ‘of which sugars’ per 100 ml across similar soups, then work out the figures for the amount you’ll serve. | If I’m serving a large bowl, I want to know how much carbohydrate and sugar it contains, not just the figure shown on the front of the pack; around 36% of consumers put this first. |
| Salt | Check the ‘salt’ figure per 100 ml and per portion; a claim about sugars tells you nothing about salt. | When soup is served with other foods, I want to be able to factor in how much salt it adds to the meal; around 29% of consumers put this criterion first. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients list and, where provided, the fibre and protein figures for the same volume. | I’m looking for a recipe I can consider as part of my meal, rather than choosing based on a single highlighted ingredient; around 21% of consumers prioritise this overall view. |
| Format | Check the volume, the number of portions stated and the preparation instructions if the soup needs reconstituting. | If I’m short on time or storage space, I want to know how many bowls the pack will actually make; convenience is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘reduced sugar’ is enough to make your choice
On its own, this claim doesn’t tell you how much total carbohydrate or salt you’ll consume in a bowl.
Compare the nutrition information for similar soups per 100 ml, then work out the figures for your portion.
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Focusing on sugars and overlooking salt
Salt content is a separate consideration. The French Federation of Cardiology lists prepared soups among everyday foods to keep an eye on for salt.
Check the ‘salt’ figure for the exact recipe, even if its name suggests it contains only vegetables.
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Comparing ready-to-serve and dehydrated soup without checking what the figures refer to
The nutrition information may not describe the same amount of soup once it has been prepared.
Check whether the label gives figures for the dry product or the reconstituted soup, then factor in how much you prepare and eat.
Brands and retailers to look at
These retailers and brands offer different soup formats. Always compare the label for the specific product before choosing.
Carrefour
Carrefour offers soups and potages, including products under the Carrefour and Carrefour Classic’ brands.
- You can compare a range of recipes and formats in the aisle.
- A recipe’s name alone doesn’t tell you its nutritional values.
Auchan
Auchan’s ready-to-eat soup range includes different formats, including Royco instant soups.
- You can choose a format before comparing recipes.
- Assess instant soup based on the prepared portion; don’t compare it as if it were a ready-to-serve liquid soup.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
E.Leclerc has a Marque Repère category for soups and potages.
- The range can help you find recipes to check.
- Check which product is available in your store and read its label before comparing nutrition.
ALDI / Les Printanières
ALDI offers soups and potages, including a Les Printanières mixed vegetable soup.
- The range gives you different recipes and formats to look at.
- Check the packaging to see what’s in a specific blended soup; don’t rely on its name alone.
Lidl / Vitasia
Lidl has featured a Vitasia instant Asian soup.
- The instant format is handy when you need something quick to prepare.
- Check the preparation instructions and nutrition information for the product available when you shop.
Royco
Royco is one of the instant soup brands featured in Auchan’s range.
- Instant portions are a distinct format you can compare.
- Follow the reconstitution instructions and consider how much soup you’ll actually consume.
Joybuy products related to this topic
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Frequently asked questions
Is ‘reduced sugar’ soup automatically suitable when shopping with diabetes in mind?
No. This claim alone doesn’t tell you about total carbohydrates, salt or how much you’ll eat. Compare the nutrition information per 100 ml and for your bowl, then consider the soup as part of the whole meal.
What should you compare between two ready-to-eat soups?
Start by comparing carbohydrates, sugars and salt on the same per-100 ml basis, then check the figures for the portion you’ll serve. The ingredients list and, where shown on the label, fibre and protein figures can also help you tell the recipes apart.
Can you compare instant soup directly with liquid soup?
Yes, as long as you compare similar amounts of soup as consumed. For instant soup, check whether the figures are for the powder or the prepared product, and follow the reconstitution instructions.