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White Bean Soup with Kale Helps Macular Degeneration

© 2025 American Macular Degeneration Foundation

White Bean Soup with Kale

Kale turns an ordinary white bean soup into a lutein and zeaxanthin powerhouse. (As a rule, the darker the green, the higher the lutein.) As an alternative, add 6 to 8 ounces of chopped smoked sausage, such as Andouille or chorizo, for a meatier dish with a kick.
Course Soup
Servings 4
Calories 357 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped carrot
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp freshly chopped thyme
  • 8 cups reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 cups dry navy or great northern beans, soaked overnight
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups chopped kale leaves, tough stems removed

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for 7 to 10 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the thyme and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the broth, beans, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 11/2 hours, or until the beans are tender, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.
  • Partially purée the soup with an immersion blender or transfer half the soup to a blender or food processor and purée before adding back to the stockpot. Add the kale and cook for 5 minutes. Season to taste. Ladle into warm bowls and serve immediately.

Notes

Recipe from Eat Right For Your Sight: Simple Tasty Recipes That Help Reduce the Risk of Vision Loss from Macular Degeneration,  BY JENNIFER TRAINER THOMPSON AND JOHANNA M. SEDDON, MD copyright © American Macular Degeneration Foundation, 2014. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, The Experiment. Available wherever books are sold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 357kcalProtein: 17gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 847mgFiber: 19gVitamin A: 14721IUVitamin C: 71mgVitamin E: 2mgZinc: 3mgBeta-carotene: 8165μgLutein and zeaxanthin: 21329μg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!