Vietnamese Pho - PCOS-Friendly Recipe

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 120 min

Servings: 2

Dinner

This Vietnamese Pho is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 350 calories, 28g protein, and 46g carbs per serving. Ready in 135 minutes. High in fiber (2g), which supports insulin sensitivity.

Nutrition per Serving

350 Calories

28g Protein

46g Carbs

6g Fat

This Vietnamese Pho is a comforting and nourishing soup made with beef, rice noodles, and a flavorful broth. The ingredients you'll need are: beef bones, water, onion, garlic, ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick, rice noodles, beef sirloin, scallions, cilantro, lime, bean sprouts, chili peppers, and fish sauce. The Glycemic Index (GI) of rice noodles is low, which is beneficial for PCOS.

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) beef bones
4 cups (1L) water
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
1 piece ginger
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
4 oz (113g) rice noodles
1/2 lb (225g) beef sirloin
2 scallions
1 handful cilantro
1 lime
1 handful bean sprouts
2 chili peppers
2 tbsp fish sauce, salt to taste

Instructions

Rinse the beef bones and place in a large pot with water. Bring to a boil.
Add the onion, garlic, ginger, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Simmer for 2 hours.
Strain the broth and return to the pot.
Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
Slice the beef sirloin thinly.
Divide the noodles and beef between two bowls.
Pour the hot broth over the noodles and beef.
Top with scallions, cilantro, lime juice, bean sprouts, chili peppers, and fish sauce. Season with salt.

This Vietnamese Pho is not only delicious but also beneficial for PCOS. The low GI of rice noodles helps to regulate blood sugar levels, while beef provides protein for muscle repair and growth. The spices, such as ginger and cinnamon, have anti-inflammatory properties. The soup is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C, which are important for overall health. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, offering a comforting and nourishing meal that supports your health and well-being.

PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe

This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Cinnamon.

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vietnamese Pho good for PCOS?

Yes, this Vietnamese Pho recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 350 calories per serving with 28g of protein, it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health. It also provides 2g of fiber, which helps with insulin sensitivity.

How long does it take to make Vietnamese Pho?

This recipe takes about 135 minutes total. Prep time is 15 minutes and cook time is 120 minutes. It makes 2 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.

What are the macros in this PCOS recipe?

Per serving: 350 calories, 28g protein (32%), 46g carbs, 6g fat. Plus 2g fiber. PCOS meal plans typically aim for 30% protein, 35% fat, 35% carbs to support insulin sensitivity.

Can I eat this for Dinner with PCOS?

Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Dinner. At 350 calories, it fits within typical PCOS meal plan targets for Dinner. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.

How do I fit this recipe into a PCOS meal plan?

This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 2 servings, making it great for meal prep. For a complete weekly plan tailored to your PCOS type, take our free 60-second quiz at pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-quiz to get a personalized 7-day meal plan.

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