Vietnamese Beef Soup (Pho) - PCOS-Friendly Recipe
This Vietnamese Beef Soup (Pho) is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 375 calories, 30g protein, and 47g carbs per serving. Ready in 23 minutes. High in fiber (3g), which supports insulin sensitivity.
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
- 8 ounces brown rice angel hair pasta
- 1 scallion (white and green parts), thinly sliced
- 1 cup basil (Thai basil if you can find it), thinly sliced
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 serrano chili (or other hot chili), seeded and minced
- 1 lime, quartered into wedges
- 5 ½ cups fat free, reduced sodium beef broth
- ½ teaspoon five spice powder
- 1 pound beef tenderloin fillet, sliced very thin
Instructions
- Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions, omitting salt. Divide cooked noodles among 4 soup bowls.
- Top each bowl of noodles with ¼ sliced scallion, ¼ cup basil, 2 Tbsp cilantro, ¼ of sliced chili and one lime wedge.
- In a soup pot, bring beef broth to a boil. Whisk in five spice powder and reduce heat to a low simmer. Add beef for 1 minute just to cook through.
- Divide broth and beef evenly among the four bowls. Serve immediately.
- MAKE IT GLUTEN-FREE: Verify that the ingredients that you are using are gluten-free and this recipe can be gluten-free.
How This Recipe Supports PCOS Management
Understanding the nutritional profile of what you eat is a powerful step in managing PCOS. Here is how the key ingredients in this Vietnamese Beef Soup (Pho) contribute to your health goals:
- Beef: Zinc supports hormone production and immune function
- Brown rice: Provides magnesium and B vitamins important for PCOS management
PCOS Diet Principles in This Recipe
The PCOS diet focuses on three core principles: reducing inflammation, managing insulin resistance, and supporting hormonal balance. Every recipe in our collection is evaluated against these principles. As part of a balanced PCOS meal plan, we recommend pairing recipes like this with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the week to ensure you are meeting all your micronutrient needs.
Meal Prep Tip: This Vietnamese Beef Soup (Pho) can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meal prepping is one of the most effective strategies for sticking to a PCOS-friendly diet, as it removes the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods when time is short.
PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe
This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Brown Rice, Basil.
Brown rice is a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this Vietnamese Beef Soup (Pho) recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 375 calories per serving with 30g of protein, it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health. It also provides 3g of fiber, which helps with insulin sensitivity.
This recipe takes about 23 minutes total. Prep time is 18 minutes and cook time is 5 minutes. It makes 4 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.
Per serving: 375 calories, 30g protein (32%), 47g carbs, 7g fat. Plus 3g fiber. PCOS meal plans typically aim for 30% protein, 35% fat, 35% carbs to support insulin sensitivity.
Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Lunch. At 375 calories, it fits within typical PCOS meal plan targets for Lunch. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.
This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 4 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.
Cook Another PCOS-Friendly Lunch
Each recipe you add to your rotation makes PCOS management easier. Variety keeps you from getting bored and quitting.
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