Vietnamese food is one of the healthiest and most balanced cuisines in the world — ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine can cover all your dietary needs for protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. 

In essence, this cuisine is perfect to boost your immune system, aids weight loss, and increases your energy levels because it is low in fat, and jam-packed with vitamins and minerals. In addition, the food is often prepared with fresh ingredients and most meals come with a side of vegetables and herbs.

Full of Vitamins and Minerals

Vietnamese salads and soups are full of Vitamins E and A to keep you looking young. These comprise fresh herbs, spices, plenty of veggies, and lean protein. Keep in mind that Vitamin E works to fight free radicals in your body while Vitamin A is essential for healing scrapes and cuts, preventing scarring, and keeping wrinkles at bay.

Furthermore, Vietnamese soups help boost your immune system and fight fatigue: with loads of your daily vitamins and minerals in one bowl. Authentic Vietnamese stocks, which take more than 10 hours to prepare, are a great source of vitamins and minerals including vitamins C, B3, B6, folate, iron, and magnesium – nutrients that all contribute to the reduction of fatigue.

You’ll also notice your hair grows stronger and healthier from iron, protein, and Vitamin C. What’s more? Vitamin C aids the absorption of iron, so eating dishes like Vietnamese stir-fries or bun noodles (packed with lean protein and plenty of veggies) on a regular basis will double the benefits.

Helps Regulate Calories and Blood Sugar

For your choice of soups and starters, try the fresh spring and summer rolls which are low in sugar. Most authentic dishes, dressings, and sauces in traditional Vietnamese restaurants are also low in calories and fat. This is because they are mostly flavored with herbs and spices (instead of oil, sugar, or dairy) and is packed full of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Giant bowls of pho noodle soups contain between 300 and 600 calories each, and only about two grams of fat per serving, which means you could eat one every day be it for lunch or dinner if you are aiming for a calorie-controlled, low-fat diet.

Typically, Vietnamese dishes aren’t big on adding wheat products so this diet gives your body the chance to regulate your blood sugar levels. This is because refined grain products get digested quickly, which can lead to a large spike in blood sugar, followed by an even larger drop, making you hungrier, faster.

Also, with many of the dishes made with rice noodles, rice papers, and rice flour instead of wheat,  the food is often gluten-free. Some Vietnamese recipes call for soy sauce, but even soy sauce can be substituted with a gluten-free option.

Good for Digestion

With restorative herbs like coriander and mint, your digestive system will thank you. Not only are most Vietnamese dishes flavored with these fresh herbs, but each bowl of authentic pho comes with a massive side plate of herbs to add to your soup as you wish. On every classic pho herb plate, you’ll find coriander and fresh mint – aside from promoting a healthy liver function, these two herbs are known to provide relief from indigestion, nausea, and even headaches.