(Your Gut’s New Best Friend—No Fancy Probiotics Required)
Let’s be honest: we’ve all had days where our jeans start judging us by 3pm. Whether it was that “extra slice” of garlic bread or just your gut being a diva, bloating is real—and wildly annoying.
Enter this hero: the Cabbage & Apple Bloat-Relief Soup. It’s light, gently sweet, a little tangy, and packed with ingredients known to support digestion, reduce gas, and help you feel like yourself again. It’s a gentle hug for your belly in a bowl—and yes, it’s way more appealing than chewing a chalky tablet.
💨 Why This Soup Works: Gut-Soothing Simplicity
This is one of those soups that feels “meh” on paper but magic in your belly. Why? It taps into the power of classic digestion heroes—no weird powders or mysterious fermented fungi.
Here’s the gut-science rundown:
- Cabbage is full of insoluble fibre, which helps get things moving and supports your gut bacteria.
- Green apple is soothing, lightly sweet, and contains pectin, a prebiotic that feeds your good gut bugs.
- Fennel seeds are a traditional bloat-busting favourite—they help relax digestive muscles and reduce gas.
- Apple cider vinegar adds a little tang and helps support stomach acid balance—important for digestion.
Together, this mix is perfect for a gentle reset after a heavy meal, a day of snacking chaos, or whenever your gut’s feeling a bit grumpy.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 1)
Simple, clean, and likely already in your kitchen:
- ½ cup shredded cabbage (green or red)
- ½ green apple, chopped (skin on is fine!)
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- Pinch of fennel seeds
- Optional: 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (added at the end)
🛒 Fridge low? This recipe loves leftovers—just about any apple or cabbage combo will do.
🥄 Instructions (AKA: Make Your Gut Happy in 10 Minutes)
- In a small pot, combine cabbage, apple, fennel seeds, and stock.
- Simmer gently for about 10 minutes, or until everything is soft and fragrant.
- Turn off the heat, stir in apple cider vinegar (if using), and season with a touch of salt and pepper.
- Sip slowly, ideally while lying on the couch in your stretchiest pants.
🌿 Prefer smooth? You can blend it. But honestly, the chunky texture feels super soothing just as is.
🔬 Nutritional Highlights (Per Serve)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~70 kcal |
| Fibre | ~3g |
| Vitamin C | ~35% RDI |
| Hero Nutrients | Prebiotic fibre (pectin), vitamin K, folate, antioxidants |
💡 Fun fact: Fennel has been used since Roman times to ease bloating. They probably didn’t blend it into soup, but they would’ve if they had stick blenders.
🔁 Swaps & Gut-Friendly Extras
- No fennel seeds?
Use ground fennel, a few aniseeds, or just skip—your gut will still love the cabbage-apple combo. - Want more fibre?
Stir in a tablespoon of rolled oats before cooking, or add ¼ cup of cooked lentils for a bulkier bowl. - Make it a bit richer?
A swirl of olive oil or a spoonful of tahini can mellow the tang and give it a more luxurious finish. - Cold version:
This one actually tastes lovely chilled too. Store in the fridge and sip cold with a splash of lemon.
🧘 When I Make This (And Why I Swear By It)
This soup is my go-to when:
- I’ve eaten like a bin chicken all weekend and need a reset
- My belly feels tight, puffy, or slightly betrayed
- I’m in the mood for something comforting but not heavy
- I want a “health moment” without needing to do a 3-day juice cleanse
It’s grounding, light, and quietly healing. Bonus: It smells amazing while it simmers. Your kitchen will thank you.
💬 Got a Gut-Friendly Favourite?
Are you Team Fennel or still learning to love cabbage?
👇 Drop your best solo bloat-relief meals or digestive-friendly tricks in the comments.
👇 And subscribe if you want more healthy-but-comforting solo eats delivered straight to your happy belly.
