It’s hard to think about detoxifying our bodies through food without images of colorful salads and green smoothies coming to mind. But there’s one problem with these foods in the wintertime: they’re COLD!

Our bodies need gentle balance to thrive, which many of us intuitively know because we reach for cold drinks in the summer and hot tea in the winter. But just because cold salads may not feel totally satisfying when we we’re chilly doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy foods that are both nourishing and cleansing all year round.

Enter detox soups!

The basic distinction between regular soups and the kind that detox is that the latter are loaded with the healthiest ingredients possible. Sometimes they are also blended in order to make digestion easier and ensure maximum absorption. And unlike sweet smoothies, detox soups contain mostly vegetables, so they’re sure to provide ample nutrients and savory flavor without the sugar.

Before we move to the recipes, here’s a nutrition tip from 2011 IIN graduate Diana Chaplin: instead of buying stock at the store, save your vegetable scraps throughout the week and then use them to make homemade veggie stock to create the base of your soup. It’s more tasty and nutritious than store-bought, with none of the additives!

Here are 5 detox soup recipes you’re sure to love this winter:

Sweet potato, carrot, and turmeric – this recipe is as healthy as it is delicious! It contains anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventing ginger and turmeric, as well as carrots and sweet potatoes, which are rich in Vitamin A, potassium, and fiber – all nutrients that support natural cleansing.

Lean up detox soup – chock full of wholesome ingredients like spinach, broccoli, parsley, garlic, and lemon, this soup, by Integrative Nutrition graduate, Lisa Consiglio Ryan, is loaded with foods that will enhance your body’s natural ability to detoxify and refuel.

Triple squash soup – a popular recipe from the IIN recipes blog, this soup is great for anyone with a sweet tooth, this soup is deliciously creamy, naturally sweet, and includes mostly squash which can strengthen the immune system, improve hair, skin, and nail health, and nourish the cleansing organs.

Cleansing detox soup – this beauty packs in everything but the kitchen sink! It’s a colorful masterpiece that includes a plethora of veggies, plus lemon, ginger, turmeric, and cayenne, all of which support detoxification and overall health.

Green mung bean soup – mung beans are rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants – all things that support the body’s ability to effectively eliminate waste. They are also tasty and very satisfying. This soup pairs mung beans with garlic, cumin, and turmeric, and you have the option to add any additional greens of your choice so you can get creative.

What’s your favorite wholesome soup recipe or ingredient? Please share in the comments below!