Note when eating balut to not harm your health
Balut is one of the popular but nutritious snacks in Vietnam. However, that does not mean you are allowed to eat it freely. So how many eggs a week is reasonable, and who should not eat it?
Main nutritional ingredients
According to Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), the main nutritional components in a balut egg (about 70-80gr) include:
- Protein: About 13-15g, this is a high quality protein, providing essential amino acids for the body.
- Fat: About 11-13 grams, mostly saturated and unsaturated fats needed for energy and body functions.
- Vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A (good for eyes and strengthens the immune system), B vitamins (B1, B2, B12, helps convert energy and maintain nerve activity).
- Iron: Supports red blood cell production, good for people with anemia.
- Phosphorus and calcium: Strengthen bones and teeth health.
- Cholesterol: Balut eggs have high cholesterol content (about 600-700mg/egg), much higher than chicken eggs.
Balut is a nutritious, popular dish. Illustration: Fabienne Fong Yan
Health benefits
- Energy supply: A balut egg can provide about 180-200 kcal, helping to quickly increase energy.
- Supports muscle development: Thanks to its rich protein content, balut is suitable for people who need nutritional supplements, especially athletes.
- Boost immunity: Vitamins and minerals in eggs help the body stay healthy and fight disease.
- Supports bone health thanks to its calcium and phosphorus content.
Note when consuming
Although nutritious, balut needs to be eaten properly to avoid health problems.
Firstly, due to its high cholesterol content, people with heart disease, high blood pressure or high blood fat should limit their intake; 1-2 fruits/week is reasonable.
Second, we should not eat too much, because it can cause indigestion or weight gain.
Third, it is best to eat in the morning or at noon so that the body can absorb nutrients and metabolize energy.
Dr. - Nutritionist Ho Thu Mai, Vinmec International General Hospital added that children under 5 years old should not eat balut because their digestive system is not fully developed, which can easily lead to bloating, digestive disorders, and is harmful to health.
Children 5 years and older should only eat half an egg at a time, 1-2 times a week is enough (1/2 duck egg is equivalent to 4-5 quail eggs).
In addition, eating balut eggs regularly causes excess vitamin A. Vitamin A is soluble in fat, so when there is excess, it accumulates under the skin and liver, leading to jaundice, peeling of the epidermis, affecting bone formation, causing children to not develop fully.
In addition, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis, fatty liver, cardiovascular disease, gout... should abstain or not eat a lot of balut eggs.
Each healthy adult should only eat 2 balut eggs per week.
Why should we eat balut with Vietnamese coriander and ginger?
Dr. Mai said that according to Oriental medicine, Vietnamese coriander has a spicy taste, a strong aroma, and warm properties, and has the effect of warming the stomach, preventing bloating, disinfecting, and dispelling cold. It also has the effect of brightening the eyes, improving intelligence, strengthening tendons and bones, and preventing cold stomach and heatstroke...
Therefore, eating Vietnamese coriander, with the addition of ginger, will help people who eat duck/quail eggs avoid stomach cold, bloating, and digestive problems.
Balut is a delicious food, has the effect of nourishing yin, nourishing blood, improving intelligence, brightening eyes, and helping the body grow quickly. Therefore, eating balut with Vietnamese coriander and ginger is a skillful combination in folk medicine and is considered a medicine to treat anemia, weakness, stunted growth, headaches, dizziness.../.