Matzo ball soup is one of the best parts of fall and winter—few meals can warm you up like the Kosher comfort favorite. But how good is it for you?
As it turns out, this is a pleasure you don't have to feel guilty about, especially if your matzo ball soup is made with vegetables.
"Matzo ball soup is filled with veggies, like carrots and celery, which provide fiber for digestive health," Mackenzie Burgess, RDN , registered dietitian nutritionist and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices tells Parade .
Matzo ball soup also may have similar benefits to sick-day favorite chicken noodle soup in terms of just helping you feel good , according to Maggie Michalczyk, RDN : "There's just something about soup (in addition to its natural health benefits) that just make you feel better when you're sick—matzo ball soup has that tenfold."
Related: How to Make the Best-Ever Matzo Ball Soup
In terms of immune-system specifics, there are a lot of benefits here.
Burgess notes, "It also boasts key nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium that can contribute to immune function and overall well-being."
If your matzo ball soup includes ginger, that's a bonus, according to Burgess, thanks to its "antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties."
Michalczyk says there are other benefits to matzo ball soup, including more anti-inflammatory goodness from fresh herbs and stock.
"This is great for hydration and immunity now and as we get into the colder months," Michalczyk says. "Any other veggies added to it like spinach or parsnips will help boost it's nutrition via more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants."
Related: 9 Genius Ways To Cook (And Bake) Matzo
Yet another benefit? It even has some protein.
"Matzo ball soup is made with eggs, which are a nutritional powerhouse containing protein and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals," Michalczyk told us. "Also, the cholesterol in eggs does not negatively impact our blood cholesterol as once thought."
Of course, no food is perfect , so there are a few potential drawbacks to too much matzo ball soup, especially depending on your own personal dietary needs and health history.
If you have celiac disease or are sensitive to gluten, Michalczyk notes that matzo ball soup is typically not gluten-free, so you won't want to order it out. If you're craving some, try to make your own. (Not to toot our own horn, but we have a pretty great gluten-free matzo ball soup recipe !)
Two more small caveats?
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"Just keep in mind this soup can be high in sodium, which may be of concern for those with high blood pressure. It’s also made with schmaltz (rendered chicken fat), which adds extra calories—so starting with a small portion and going back for more if you're still hungry might be a smart approach," Burgess advises. "That all being said, matzo ball soup is often a marker of celebration, making it a comforting dish tied to special moments—so just remember, every dish can have a place in a balanced diet."
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