Hearty Split Pea & Ham Soup
A comforting, protein-packed soup featuring slow-simmered split peas and savory ham. Rich in complex carbs and dietary fiber to keep you full and energized.
The perimenopause lens
A cautious perimenopause lens
These tags explain why the recipe may appear in Lila. They are prompts for noticing your own patterns—not evidence that this meal treats a symptom.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthLow energy
Check how the whole meal lands
Food is one part of energy. Notice meal timing, sleep and symptoms together rather than assigning the result to one nutrient.
Track: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
Let tolerance guide the portion
Fiber, portion size and ingredients land differently for everyone. Increase unfamiliar foods gradually and notice comfort.
Track: comfort + portion
Appetite changes
Notice patterns without judgment
One meal does not determine body weight. Look at fullness, energy and repeatable eating patterns over time instead.
Track: fullness + meal rhythm
Fatigue
Separate a pattern from one day
Notice energy alongside sleep, meals and symptoms across several days. Ongoing fatigue deserves a clinical conversation.
Track: energy + previous night
Before you start
Your 90-minute game plan
Gather everything first, then tap ingredients and steps as you go.
Equipment
Oven · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Storage: This soup thickens significantly in the fridge. When reheating, stir in a splash of water or broth to bring it back to your preferred consistency.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
One clear step at a time
0 of 6 steps complete
Next: Dice the carrots
- 01
Dice the carrots
Dice the carrots, celery, and onion into roughly 1/2-inch pieces.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat the olive oil in a large…
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced vegetables and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Stir in the dried thyme
Stir in the dried thyme, bay leaf, and black pepper. Add the dried green split peas and the meaty ham bone, nestling the bone into the vegetables.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Pour in the water (or broth) to…
Pour in the water (or broth) to cover the ingredients. Bring the pot to a gentle boil.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Reduce the heat to low
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 60 to 75 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the peas from sticking to the bottom, cooking until the peas have completely broken down and the soup is thick.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Carefully remove the ham bone
Carefully remove the ham bone. Use a fork to pull away any remaining meat, discarding the bone and any tough cartilage. Stir the shredded meat back into the soup. Taste and add salt only if needed (the ham will already provide plenty of savory saltiness).
Tap card to mark done
The nutrition underneath
Why this bowl holds together
Storage
Storage: This soup thickens significantly in the fridge. When reheating, stir in a splash of water or broth to bring it back to your preferred consistency.
Prep Ahead
Prep Ahead: While split peas don't strictly require soaking, soaking them in water for 4 hours before cooking can reduce the simmering time by about 20 minutes.
Freeze It
Freeze It: This recipe is perfect for batch-prepping. Let the soup cool completely, then freeze in individual airtight containers for up to 3 months for easy, high-energy lunches.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.