However, if breakfast is only focused on noodles and vermicelli but lacks protein, vegetables and other food groups, the diet may be unbalanced.
According to Duong Nguyet Han, Chairman of the China Nutrition Association, meals need to be diverse in food, combining reasonably grains, vegetables, animal foods, milk, beans and nuts. The combination of diverse food groups helps the body receive enough necessary nutrients.
Therefore, people who have a habit of eating noodles and vermicelli in the morning do not necessarily have to skip their favorite dish but should adjust the combination.
A simple bowl of noodles or vermicelli mainly provides carbohydrates. If the amount of meat, eggs, tofu and vegetables is too little, breakfast may lack protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Eater can keep a moderate amount of starch, while increasing protein-rich foods and vegetables. For vermicelli or noodles, lean meat, eggs, fish, tofu and greens can be added to make the meal more balanced.
According to Wang Zhihong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Nutrition and Health of the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, meals need to pay attention to the combination of many food groups instead of focusing on one type.
Besides ingredients, processing methods also need to be noted. Some noodles and vermicelli can contain a lot of salt, oil or rich broth. If eating regularly, you should prioritize dishes with thin broth, limiting thick sauces and ingredients with a lot of oil and salt. For dishes with a lot of oil or salty broth, it is not necessary to drink the broth completely.
Eater can also alternate starches in breakfast such as oats, whole grains, potatoes, corn or beans instead of eating noodles and vermicelli every day.
Xinhua quoted information from the China Nutrition Association as saying that increasing the use of whole grains can contribute to improving the diet structure. Whole grains still retain the natural components of grains such as bran, germs and endothelium, thereby providing more fiber and some nutrients.
A breakfast with noodles, vermicelli or pho can be simply combined according to the recipe: a portion of starch, a source of protein, vegetables and adding fruit, milk or dairy products as needed.
For example, vermicelli with meat can increase vegetables; noodles can be eaten with eggs and green vegetables; pho can choose lean meat, add vegetables and limit the broth from being too salty.
Noodles and vermicelli are not dishes that need to be removed from breakfast. It is important not to let a bowl of noodles or vermicelli become the entire meal. Supplementing protein, increasing vegetables, controlling the amount of oil, salt and diversifying carbohydrate sources will help breakfast be more balanced.
