Day Three: the miso issue

Dream and I spent some time over the weekend hunting down a supply of miso soup. This, she assured me, was to be our saviour on fast days, a clear tasty Japanese soup chock full of goodness and only 18kCal per cup. I am very keen on all sorts of soup so was eager to try it. I did some research and was even more keen - it has all kinds of super health benefits, plus being high in protein which helps ease hunger. Apparently, most of the Japanese population begins their day with a warm bowl of miso soup, believed to stimulate the digestion and energize the body. 

The 10 scientifically researched benefits of eating miso

1. Contains all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.

2. Stimulates the secretion of digestive fluids in the stomach.

3. Restores beneficial probiotics to the intestines.

4. Aids in the digestion and assimilation of other foods in the intestines.

5. Is a good vegetable-quality source of B vitamins (especially B12).

6. Strengthens the quality of blood and lymph fluid.

7. Reduces risk for breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers.

8. Protects against radiation due to dipilocolonic acid, an alkaloid that chelates heavy metals and discharges them from the body.

9. Strengthens the immune system and helps to lower LDL cholesterol.

10. High in antioxidants that protects against free radicals.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-benefits-and-uses-for-miso.html

The supermarkets seemed to be conspiring against us. We searched in the packet soup aisles and scoured the world food shelves. We had almost given up when we found it in Tesco, nestling amongst some equally obscure seaweed-based products. So today, with much ceremony, I made my first cup.

What my research had failed to uncover, was that it tastes like seawater. Warm, salty, slightly fishy seawater. I managed half a cup before it went cold and I found that cold seawater is even worse than warm seawater. Bleurgh.

However, I shall persist. A big part of the reason for doing this plan is for health benefits, and miso fits in with all those goals perfectly. I may try different brands, as apparently there are many different kinds and the flavour varies. Of course this relies on being able to find any in the shops - I feel a trip to Soho coming on.