Pho is a traditional food of the Vietnamese people, which is popular among foreign tourists because of its delicious taste and texture. We all know pho is delicious, but is pho healthy to eat?

A lot of junk food and fast food may taste good, but they are not good for your body. However, pho is different! Pho soup can be said to be very good because it contains nutrients from the rich broth, meat protein and good quality of herbs and spices. Check out some of the exciting health benefits of pho below.

Pho Nutrition Facts

According to the USDA Nutrition Database in the United States, one plate of Beef Pho provides an average of 215 calories, 4.47 grams of fat, 25.2 grams of carbs, 1.22 grams of fibre, 15g protein, 1.93g sugar and 1200mg sodium.

The main ingredients of a traditional Pho bowl include:

banh pho (rice sticks or rice noodles)

As a matter of fact, choosing the right banh pho is crucial to making a delicious bowl of pho. Made from rice flour and water, these noodles are smaller, whiter in colour and tastier than noodles made from flour. This is why thin, smooth, and fresh rice noodles are valued in Pho cuisine in Vietnam. Pho noodles may have different sizes but the same appearance and taste.

Meat  

In Pho, chicken and beef are the most commonly used meats. Beef is usually made from boiled or lean cuts of meat, usually the best parts of the cow such as brisket, ribs, and tendons. Meanwhile, for the chicken, you can cook the whole chicken, take it out to cool and tear it into small pieces.

Apart from the list of Pho ingredients above, salmon is very promising. A variation on traditional pho is a combination of pho noodles, fresh salmon, sweet, and fat-free soup.  

Broth  

The broth is the soul of Pho, made from meat bone broths and many types of typical Vietnamese spices, but different ingredients and quantities for each secret recipe. After washing it with water, the meat bones are poured over low heat for about 6 to 10 hours with spices (ginger & grilled onion, star anise, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods and cilantro sticks).  You may add a little salt and fish ingredients to make the taste of Pho broth better.

Vegetables

When enjoying Pho, having fresh onions, cilantro, garlic vinegar (wine, garlic, chilli), fresh lemon juice, chilli oil and hot crullers is essential.

Is Pho healthy to eat?

Although there is little research on the health benefits of eating pho, many believe that it is rich in protein and fibre.(See:Importance Of Protein And Fibre In Nutrition). Manganese, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C are all present in it.

Many believe that eating pho regularly can help prevent heart disease. Others believe that drinking soup while eating noodles can help prevent stomach ulcers.

Pho can be a nutritious, delicious, and filling meal, depending on the style you get and what is added to the broth. The best pho recipes are those that include lean proteins, such as chicken, and piles of vegetables and light noodles.

6 Health Benefits of Pho you should know

1. A rich source of Protein

Protein is an important part of every cell in the body and is the building block of bones, muscles, blood, cartilage, and skin. Protein is essential for our body to function properly, and it helps fill us up and give us energy throughout the day. A serving of pho can contain nearly 30 grams of protein, meeting nearly half of most people’s daily nutritional needs. Protein options for pho include beef, chicken, pork, and salmon.

2. Reduces inflammation

A lot of fresh herbs and vegetables are used when making pho. Some of the ingredients like turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties that help you fight many allergies and bacteria. These have been linked to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

3. Promotes joint health

Bone broth, which is the basis of many types of pho, is good for supporting joint health. Bone broth can be a source of: Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Collagen.

All of these compounds can help improve bone and joint health. While it’s good to add them to your diet in other ways too, eating pho can help support your body and joints!

4. Promotes dental health

Pho dishes are rich in minerals, fibre, protein, and collagen. These are good for your oral health. Pho can also help fight bad breath.

5. Home remedy for flu and sore throat

Pho is often used as a home remedy for flu and sore throat. It has a high vitamin C content, which explains this. It’s also good for hangovers.(Read more:EFFECTIVE DIY HOME REMEDIES FOR COLD AND COUGH)

6. Highly Nutritious

A hot, spicy soup like pho can be a “miracle cure” to help the sick. Each ingredient provides health benefits: mushrooms are full of antioxidants, ginger soothes the stomach and fights inflammation, limes provide large amounts of vitamin C, fresh herbs such as cilantro and basil provide vitamin A, and other healthy vegetables give the dish a low calorie value.

Pho can be adapted to meet many dietary needs. Vegetarians and vegans can skip the meat and bone dish for a vegetable soup, while gluten-free eaters can skip the rice and fill their bowl with fresh vegetables and herbs. It’s also great for people with food allergies, as you control what goes into your plate.

Caution

One thing to watch out for is sodium. Like other soups and stews, pho can be high when it comes to salt content. Some pho dishes can contain more than 1,000 mg, which is almost equal to the recommended daily intake, according to the American Heart Association. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Reduce your sodium intake by drinking less soup or making a healthier version at home by using less salt or “no salt added” broth and choose other vegetables to make it a more satisfying meal.

Pho is also very fatty. When it comes to protein, choose lean cuts of meat or vegetables to reduce saturated fat intake. Regular consumption of saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart disease. In comparison to beef, chicken is a better choice.

At the end of the day

You can get a refreshing boost of energy from pho regardless of season. This Vietnamese soup, which is usually made for breakfast, is the best way to start the immune system and support other important functions. It combines the health benefits of bone or vegetable soup with beef or chicken and vegetables to become a complete diet to prevent disease.