Progresso 50% Less Sodium Garden Vegetable Soup

March 7, 2007 | Reviewer: Guest Reviewers

Progresso Garden Vegetable Soup

Price: $2.19
Serving: 1 Cup, 8 oz.
Calories: 100
Fat: 0%, 0g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 19%, 450mg
Protein: 3g
Carbs: 7%, 22g
Fiber: 11%, 3g
WW Points: 1.5

Progresso says: Finally, just what you’ve been waiting for! The same colorful medley of vegetables as our Progresso Vegetable Classics Garden Vegetable Soup, and also heart smart with half the sodium.

Amanda says: That blurb really sucks, doesn’t it? Apparently we’ve all been waiting for the exact same soup as the soup they already made. Which they kindly gave to us. Again. But in case we didn’t think this was good enough, they point out that they gave us exactly the same soup AND less sodium. Well hey! Thanks Progresso!

I decree 3 stars. The potatoes are delicious in this soup, and plentiful. I appreciate this for both the nice texture (they weren’t too mushy) and the bulk they add to my hungry stomach. The kidney beans were surprisingly firm (a plus in my book), though the green beans and carrots pretty much disintegrated in my mouth. There was a chunk of tomato large enough for me to see where the STEM CAME FROM. It was a REAL tomato! Coming from both a giant corporation and a can, I have to admit I got a little excited at this discovery. However, the tomato surprise didn’t make up for the fact that I saw corn, celery and onions floating around but neither their flavors nor textures were noticeable.

Overall the flavor is pretty typical of canned water and tomato based veggie soup. There’s nothing about the seasoning that blew me away, but nothing to really complain about either. The most remarkable trait of this particular tomato based soup is that the tomato flavor is pleasantly devoid of that weird metallic tanginess present in some canned soups. This is the second time I’ve had this soup and my official opinion is that it’s good to have around when you don’t really feel like anything in particular and just want something quick, warm and easy. I have to admit though, that while there are 2 servings per can, I consumed the entire thing. With Wasa Multi-grain crackers. Which if you haven’t had, you should go out and buy. Right now. And pick up some spicy hummus while you’re at it. And then eat that on the side. Now, that’s a meal. If I’d just had Â½ the can? I wouldn’t have had the strength to type this review 40 minutes post consumption.

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comments

10 Responses to “Progresso 50% Less Sodium Garden Vegetable Soup”

Sir Jorge on March 7th, 2007

While trying to save money on food expenses, (seeing as though I’m a starving artist type), I found this soup to be actually quite good. I split the can with my wife, but it actually isn’t half bad.
MaryAnne on March 7th, 2007

That is the second time today that I’ve heard about Wasa crackers. Interesting… You’ve sold me on those over the soup. I’ve tasted it and doesn’t fill me up because there isn’t any protein. I really enjoy the Healthy Choice low sodium Beef Roast Veggie Soup.

How is it that a can of soup these days is more expensive than an on sale frozen meal? Didn’t soup used to be a dollar?
Amanda on March 7th, 2007

MaryAnne: Wasa crackers are totally awesome. The Fiber Rye are my preferred choice. I don’t know that I’ve ever truly loved a cracker, until I met Wasa. You have to be pretty into the wheat-y, fiber-y nature of them though, or you’ll probably think they’re gross and/or taste like cardboard. I’m into texture, and Wasa delivers. I’m also into things that are low in “points values” as I try to use the Weight Watchers points as a general guideline for my eating. Here again, Wasa delivers. And I’m also pretty into slathering my crackers in spreads. Wasa + Spread of your choice = Heaven.
Jess on March 7th, 2007

Dear Amanda,
Awesome review. I enjoyed the repeated poking fun at Progresso, the deconstruction of each vegetable represented and the ordering around of your readers. I don’t know who you are but based on this review alone, i can assume you are probably awesome.

With respect,
Jess
Another HER contributer
veggiegirl on March 7th, 2007

Wasa crispbread/crackers = amazing
Amanda on March 8th, 2007

Thanks Jess!!!
kelly on March 9th, 2007

I agree, i think this soup is just okay. I prefer their vegetable soups with the noodles though.
Nick on April 16th, 2007

I am not eating this soup right now but rather the Chicken Gumbo version, 50% sodium. And it sucks. Not horrible, but not interesting. I guess bland would be the word. There is nothing as far as flavor that suggests gumbo. It is more like rice and chicken floating in that familiar Progresso tomato-water stuff. I do, however, like their Minestrone (regular).
Jeannette on March 18th, 2008

I have tried this and the southwest veggie. I used to love all the regular Progresso Soups from way back- Minestrone, Beef and Barley, YUM. These soups seem to have been the leftovers from the old soups… like the stems. 2 cans in a row and I got some hard, obnoxious, woody green bean stem (at least I hope it was a green bean stem and not the chef’s toothpick). Gack, all Progresso Soups are ruined for me.
Virginia on January 8th, 2009

This is a staple in my cubbard. If you add a little red pepper flakes or black pepper to it , it gives it a little added punch. I’ve found it to the be best canned vegetable soup so far. I keep looking for the perfect one, but this one will definitely do for now.