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Dish guides · Vietnamese

Is beef pho healthy?

Beef pho costs about $5.18 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. For lower LDL cholesterol, go easy on thinly sliced beef.

By health goal

Lower LDL cholesterol
In moderation
Go easy on thinly sliced beef; using less keeps the dish and helps with lower LDL cholesterol.
Steadier blood sugar
Neutral
It's neutral for steadier blood sugar: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.
Lower blood pressure
Watch the salt
Go easy on beef broth: it's salty. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.
Weight loss
Neutral
It's neutral for weight loss: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.
More protein
Neutral
It's neutral for more protein: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

For LDL cholesterol, with sources

0 of 5
LDL habits in this dish
Soluble fiber (oats, barley, beans, eggplant, okra, fruit)
Fish, ideally oily (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
Soy or beans in place of some meat
Nuts, seeds, olive oil or avocado
Little fatty meat, cream, butter or cheese
Go easy
thinly sliced beef
Red and processed meat: saturated fat raises LDL.
American Heart Association
One swap each, same dish
thinly sliced beef to thinly sliced chicken thigh or firm tofu
Works the same in hot pot, stir fries and donburi

What goes in (per portion)

thinly sliced beef
¼ lb
rice noodles
¼ lb
beef broth
½ carton
yellow onion
½
ginger
¼ knob
star anise
0 pack
thai basil
¼ bunch
lime
½
cilantro
¼ bunch

Questions

Is beef pho healthy?

Beef pho costs about $5.18 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. For lower LDL cholesterol, go easy on thinly sliced beef.

Is beef pho good for high cholesterol?

In moderation. Go easy on thinly sliced beef; using less keeps the dish and helps with lower LDL cholesterol.

Is beef pho OK for blood sugar or diabetes?

It's neutral for steadier blood sugar: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

Is beef pho OK for high blood pressure?

Go easy on beef broth: it's salty. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.

Is beef pho good for weight loss?

It's neutral for weight loss: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

Is beef pho high in protein?

It's neutral for more protein: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

How much does beef pho cost to make at home?

About $5.18 a serving, or $20.70 for four servings, at typical US grocery prices, with pantry staples like soy sauce and oil counted at $0.40 a serving.

How can I make beef pho healthier?

Use less thinly sliced beef, and add a vegetable side, like spinach or broccoli.

Plan a week of dishes like this

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General nutrition information, not medical advice, based on each dish's main ingredients as we cook it; sauces and salt vary by recipe. Prices are typical US grocery prices and vary by store.
Eat Healthy AF (AF as in Asian Food) is general nutrition information, not medical advice. It doesn't diagnose or treat anything. Keep your doctor in the loop, and don't change any medication without them.
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