Light soups ease digestion after holiday feasting—doctors explain why

After festive celebrations, many people look for ways to ease digestion and recover from heavy meals. Doctors often suggest light soups to help the body reset. Two options—chicken broth and vegan vegetable soups—are now being recommended for their soothing effects.

Sergei Lopatin, a gastroenterologist at SM-Clinic in St. Petersburg, advises a simple chicken soup for post-holiday recovery. The warm broth can calm an irritated stomach lining, especially after alcohol. It also aids digestion without overloading the system.

For those avoiding meat, vegetable-based soups offer similar benefits. Lean borscht or cabbage soup are gentle on the stomach while providing nutrients. In Germany, a traditional Vegan Midnight Soup is sometimes served as a light New Year’s dish, though its origins remain unclear. Experts warn against heavy, fatty soups like solyanka or kharcho. These can strain the liver and pancreas, slowing down recovery. Lighter options, whether chicken or plant-based, are far more effective for easing the body back to normal.

Both chicken and vegetable soups provide a gentle way to recover after rich holiday food. The key is choosing light, easily digestible options rather than heavy or greasy dishes. This approach helps the body recover faster and with less discomfort.