If you’re calorie-counting, a medium-sized bowl of pho generally contains between 350 and 450 calories, approximately 20 percent of your daily allotment if you’re on a diet of 2,000 calories a day.
Pho is supremely healthy, in most cases, however it can also be not so much if you don’t watch what’s going in. Pho’s healthy when one goes light on the noodles and sodium, and heavy on vegetables. The sodium in particular can pose a serious problem for some, especially if you’re struggling with high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. When done right, pho is amazingly nutritious and as filling as anything. As you customize and build your broth however, you’ve got to watch these things. The best pho has heaps of veggies and relies on lean protein like a chicken, rather than going heavy on beef and noodles, as tempting as it can be to do so.
If you’re wondering about protein content, the average bowl of pho carries with it about 30 grams. That’s half the recommended amount per day for most people and is enough you’d get from a protein shake. All in all, it’s a pretty healthy amount. Remember, protein’s a required element of building bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.
Back to the sodium aspect of pho, some bowls can contain as much as 1,000 mg – the whole recommended daily amount. This is comparable to other soups and stews. Too much salt unfortunately can lead to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Thankfully, there are low-sodium broths out there. Also, the rice noodles used are well filling, easier to eat more of, and contain less fiber than wheat-based noodles.
The last thing we want to mention about the healthiness of pho is that it is excellent for colds. If you’re feeling sick with a cold or achy, this might be just what you need to help spruce up and heal. Think of it as a chicken soup with some additional spices thrown in. Things like coriander, anise, and ginger are common to pho – all very healthy spices you’ll want in your diet.
If you’re looking for delicious and healthy pho in Toronto, visit Toronto Pho. We have several varieties and they’re all authentically prepared as well as we can with the freshest ingredients possible. There’s nothing like our pho anywhere in Toronto. Enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine like only we do it and visit Toronto Pho today to get your first taste!
