Molly-Mae Hague’s delicious lunchtime staple is perfect for cold winter days when you need a vitamin boost
Molly-Mae Hague has shared one of her favourite lunchtime combos — and it’s perfect for anyone who needs a midday boost. In her latest YouTube video, aptly titled ‘First vlog of the year’, the Maebe founder revealed she’s been loving toasties recently, and she paired her sandwich with a healthy side.
In her video, Molly-Mae explained she was making a cheese and ham toastie for her midday meal. “I actually don’t know what I did before I had my toastie maker in my life,” Molly-Mae shared. “I have two now, but this one I absolutely love. I love making toasties for lunch.”
She added: “I’m having a spot of tomato soup with that.” Later in the clip, Molly-Mae revealed: “I don’t actually love soup like it’s not really my favourite thing ever, but with a toastie, I can get on board.”
Of course, lots of people enjoy a toastie and soup for lunch. It’s a classic pairing. Some may say it makes the perfect warming meal for a cold winter’s day, but it could also offer a healthy choice for those looking to up their vitamin C intake.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to disease. It also helps maintain healthy skin, bones, cartilage, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system, helps your body absorb iron and copper and may help reduce inflammation.
Healthline explains: “Tomato soup is an excellent source of antioxidants, including lycopene, flavonoids, and vitamins C and E, among many others. Consuming antioxidants has been linked with a lower risk of cancer and inflammation-related diseases, such as obesity and heart disease.
“Additionally, research has shown that the antioxidant action of vitamin C and flavonoids may help protect against type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and brain diseases.” Tomatoes are also rich in potassium – which is a vital mineral for healthy heart function. Plus, they contain about as much potassium as a medium banana. Other benefits of eating tomatoes include:
- Tomatoes are rich in potassium, which is essential for relaxing blood vessels
- Tomatoes contain vitamin A and other carotenoids, which are important for maintaining eye health
- The carotenoids in tomatoes may help prevent UV damage
- They are rich in vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting and bone health
If you enjoy shop-bought soup, it’s worth looking out for high salt and sugar levels, as this can make the soup an unhealthy option for you. Alternatively, the British Heart Foundation’s website features healthy soup recipes you can batch cook at home.
One recipe is a roasted tomato and lentil soup that can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. There are other tasty options for those who don’t like tomatoes.
As for toasties, Healthline says grilled cheese sandwiches and the like can be enjoyed in moderation. “They are high in calories, fat, sodium, and low in fibre. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them in moderation,” the experts explain.
