Pho is so tasty and really hits the spot when you’re looking for a hearty soup. That said, as pho continues to amass fans in Toronto, some are asking how healthy pho is. Analyzing the health benefits of pho and its calorie count, the answer quickly becomes clear.
What’s In Pho?
Pho is a meal adapted from traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
Since the migration of Vietnamese families into North America which really began to speed up in the 1970s, pho has been a go-to inside Vietnamese restaurants in Toronto and abroad.
Though there are many ways to make pho and several varieties available, here are the usual ingredients that make up a steaming bowl.
- Broth, typically beef-based or chicken-based.
- Beef, chicken, or vegetarian meatless protein source.
- A medley of spices and herbs, custom to the type of pho.
- Gluten-free rice flour noodles.
- A select inclusion of vegetables.
- Toppings are usually made up of bean sprouts and things like hot chilis or a slice of lime.
Is Pho Healthy?
Looking at these components, nothing is inherently unhealthy. No oil is used. Fat is limited to whatever the protein is.
There’s fiber, healthy carbs, and no gluten. Any nutritionist will tell you eating pho is a healthy act, for the most part.
In fact, pho is being increasingly used as a post-workout meal. Packed with taste, protein, carbohydrates, and spices, and herbs, it’s a great way to cap off an hour of fitness and inspire the body to begin the healing process as it rebuilds those muscles and readies you for your next session.
Perhaps the most underrated component of pho is the rich bone broth which supports digestion and the immune system, is anti-inflammation and is used to help treat bone and joint pain, discomfort, and inflammation.
Noodle soups, including pho, are often recommended as a cold and flu remedy. In pho, the beautiful range of herbs and healing spices are a great help to combating congestion and feelings of un-wellness. Coriander and anise are go-to spices found in pho.
Eaten in average portion size, pho is a great weight loss meal. One just has to control the carbohydrate intake and opt for more low-fat options, such as choosing chicken over beef.
How Can I Make Pho Healthier?
Naturally, there are a number of ways one can either make pho healthier or unhealthier depending on how you eat it.
Portion is key, for example. The sodium content of pho is not unreasonably high but eating high amounts of pho will quickly shoot your intake through the roof. Restrict yourself to moderate portions.
How to reduce pho is to avoid fish sauce, minimize the use of any sauces or unnecessary condiments, and choose a healthy broth. Some bowls of pho contain the full recommended sodium intake for the day.
Making the right choices to remove some sodium makes a sizeable difference in controlling this aspect of pho.
To this point, the amount of calories in pho can range from 350 to 500 on average. The main factors in how many calories are in pho have to do with the meat added in and portion size. Controlling how much you eat is the first step.
In terms of protein, there is meatless and vegetarian pho. If you don’t want this, opt for leaner meats such as chicken over beef. This will ensure you are minimizing fat intake and controlling calories.
If you have high cholesterol, have a higher-than-average risk of heart disease, and/or are concerned about fat intake, ensure you do this and select either chicken or a vegetarian protein.
To increase the nutrition in pho without moving the calorie-intake too far up, try adding more vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and spinach. This adds a range of vitamins, minerals, and fiber at a very minimal calorie amount.
Pho is warm, delicious, and healthy. There are dozens of varieties. Here in Toronto, the best Vietnamese restaurant for pho goes by an obvious name. TorontoPHO ships out hundreds of comforting, hot bowls of pho city-wide every day. Whether you’re on a work-from-home shift, looking for a weight loss or post-workout meal, or simply want something warm for dinner, order your favourite type of pho today from TorontoPHO.
Toronto Pho is a family-owned restaurant serving the best pho and late night eats. Search for Best Pho near me, you will find one of our 4 locations across Ontario, we offer fast delivery and online ordering for pickup or delivery through our easy to use app available for both Android and iPhone smart phones.
