30 Sec Answer: Salad comes first. This is because salad has lighter ingredients than soup and can be easily digested. Soup usually contains heavier ingredients that require more time to digest, so it’s best to eat the salad first.
What Comes First Soup or Salad?
If you’ve ever been in a restaurant before and asked the waiter what should come first – soup or salad? You may have received conflicting answers from different people. Is there actually an answer to this question?
Let’s dive in and find out once and for all what should come first, soup or salad.
The History of Soup & Salad
Before we can decide on which one should come first, let’s look at the history of both soup and salad. While they both have ancient roots, salads were originally served first as far back as Ancient Rome. It was thought that eating something light like a salad would aid digestion, whereas soups with their thicker consistency were viewed as too heavy to begin a meal with.
Cultural Influences on Soup & Salad Ordering
Different cultures around the world also influence how soup and salads are ordered. In Europe, for example, it’s common practice to serve soup before the main course, while North Americans typically start with salads. However, this isn’t always the case – Italian restaurants in America often serve pasta as a starter dish instead of either soup or salad.
Does Order Matter Nutritionally?
When it comes to nutritional value, there are several factors that need to be considered when deciding whether soup or salad should come first. Generally speaking, salads contain lighter ingredients than soups and are easier for your body to digest. Therefore it makes sense to begin with a light dish like a salad before moving onto the heavier dishes such as soup.
Understanding Different Types of Soups & Salads
It’s important to note that not all soups and salads are created equal. For example, creamy soups tend to be heavier than brothy ones; similarly some salads can be quite substantial if they include ingredients like grilled vegetables or proteins like chicken or fish. If you’re having a filling starter dish then you may want to consider swapping out the main course for a lighter option such as a vegetable side dish instead of opting for another rich course like soup or stew.
Soup & Salad Combos
Another popular way of ordering these two dishes is by pairing them together as part of a single meal – this is known as “combo plating”. A classic example of combo plating is the Greek favorite, ‘Avgolemono’ – which consists of egg-lemon soup followed by a traditional Greek salad with feta cheese and olives. This combination offers both flavoursome variety and nutritional balance!
Serving Size Matters Too
The size of your servings will also influence whether it makes sense to order either soup or salad first – smaller portions make it easier for your body to digest both courses more efficiently compared to larger servings which may take longer to break down during digestion. Therefore if you plan on having large starters then it might be better for you to opt for something lighter as an entree before moving onto the heavier items later on in your meal!
Allergies & Food Preferences Should Be Considered
Finally, food allergies and dietary preferences should always be taken into consideration when deciding whether soup or salad should come first at dinner time – especially if you’re dining with other people who may have specific needs. If someone in your party has an allergy or intolerance then it might be necessary for them to avoid certain foods altogether (such as nuts or dairy). Similarly if someone follows veganism then they won’t be able to eat animal products such as eggs in their omelette soufflé – therefore an alternative appetizer may need to be offered in place of this dish prior to enjoying the rest of their meal!
Conclusion: So What Comes First Soup Or Salad?
To sum up our discussion, we believe that salad should always come before soup when dining out due its lighter consistency which helps aid digestion throughout your mealtime experience! Of course there will always be exceptions depending on cultural influences, dietary restrictions/allergies, personal tastes and individual serving sizes – however following this general rule of thumb will ensure you get the most enjoyment out of every bite!