In Vietnamese traditional meals, pig's trotter cooked with bamboo shoot soup is a familiar dish, especially on chilly days.
However, for workers - especially those who work with little exercise or are at risk of metabolic disorders - regularly eating pig trotters cooked with bamboo shoot soup can cause blood fat to increase rapidly if not properly controlled.
Pig trotters actually contain a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol. Although they have a high content of collagen, creating a nutritious feeling, the interspersed fat in the skin and tendons is a significant source of lipids.
When consuming too much saturated fat, the body tends to increase bad cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. For office workers or those working in sedentary jobs, excess energy is more likely to accumulate into blood fat.
Although bamboo shoots have fiber, this amount of fiber is not enough to neutralize the high amount of fat from pig trotters. Moreover, during processing, many families also add grease or season it richly, increasing the total energy and sodium content of the dish. If eaten with white rice, which is rich in starch, the amount of calories consumed in one meal may exceed the actual needs of the body.
For heavy laborers who consume a lot of energy, protein and fat-rich foods can help compensate for some of their strength. However, the frequency and portion size are important. Eating pig trotters cooked with bamboo shoot soup regularly, many times a week, especially in the evening, will increase the risk of blood lipid disorders, overweight and high blood pressure.
To limit negative impacts, workers should prioritize lean meat, remove excess fat on the surface of the soup, and increase green vegetables in meals. Combining regular exercise and periodic health check-ups is also an effective way to control blood fat.
Pig trotter cooked with bamboo shoot soup is not a "taboo" dish, but if used uncontrollably, it can cause blood fat to rise rapidly. Understanding the nutritional value and potential risks will help workers build a reasonable diet and protect their health in the long term.
