Vermicelli is a traditional and familiar dish in Vietnamese cuisine, popular for its light and easy-to-eat flavor. It’s not only versatile in preparation, such as bún riêu (crab noodle soup), bún chả (grilled pork with vermicelli), bún bò (beef noodle soup), etc., but also frequently appears in daily menus. However, many people still wonder: How many calories are in fresh vermicelli? Does eating vermicelli lead to weight gain? If you are interested in a healthy diet or are trying to lose weight, let’s explore the detailed information below!
How many calories are in fresh vermicelli?
Fresh vermicelli is a traditional dish, made from rice starch, then shaped and boiled to create soft, fragrant white vermicelli strands. This dish is often served with pork, fish, shrimp, or fresh squid, creating many attractive specialties such as bún riêu (crab noodle soup) and bún cá (fish noodle soup), contributing to the richness of Vietnamese culinary culture.
So, how many calories are in fresh vermicelli? According to nutrition experts, 100g of fresh vermicelli contains approximately 110 calories – a number lower than a bowl of white rice, which typically has around 130 calories. With such a low calorie count, vermicelli can be an ideal choice if you want to include it in your diet without worrying about weight gain.
Fresh vermicelli
How many calories are in 1 bowl of fish vermicelli?
Bún cá (fish vermicelli soup) is a familiar dish in Vietnamese cuisine, appealing with its sweet, clear broth combined with rich fish meat and fresh herbs. A traditional bowl of bún cá is not only delicious but also provides significant nutritional value. So, how many calories are in one bowl of bún cá? Let’s explore the ingredients and estimate the calories in this dish.
Traditional bún cá ingredients typically include:
Fresh vermicelli: Made from white rice, high in starch, providing the main energy for the dish. 100g of fresh vermicelli contains approximately 110 calories.
Fish meat: Boneless fish such as salmon, basa fish, tra fish… Depending on preference, it can be steamed or fried. 100g of fried fish provides approximately 250 calories.
Fresh herbs: Including dill, water celery, spicy bamboo shoots… to enhance flavor and add freshness to the dish.
Onions and garlic: Essential ingredients for cooking the broth, creating a distinctive aroma.
Accompanying fresh vegetables: Often includes tomatoes, bean sprouts, spring onions, fresh chili, to enhance flavor and color.
Additional seasonings (chili, pepper…): According to taste, to make the dish richer.
Broth: Can be seasoned with seasoning powder, MSG, or cooked naturally from fish and vegetables to maintain a light, healthy flavor.
The calorie content of each ingredient helps estimate the total energy of the dish:
110 calories from 100g fresh vermicelli
250 calories from 100g fried fish
90 calories from 90g seasonings, fresh herbs, accompanying vegetables
In total, 1 traditional bowl of bún cá can contain approximately 450 calories.
However, this is only a calorie estimate; the actual amount may vary depending on the preparation method and the quantity of ingredients used. Choosing a natural broth and reducing the amount of oil will help the dish retain its delicious taste while ensuring good health.
Traditional bowl of fish vermicelli
Does eating vermicelli make you fat?
The answer is: NO! Fresh vermicelli contains only about 100 Kcal/100g, so you can absolutely eat vermicelli instead of rice without fear of gaining weight. However, to maintain a healthy weight, you should still control your total calorie intake, especially when combining vermicelli with other ingredients like meat, pork sausage, broth, or oily seasonings.
On average, the daily Kcal requirement for adults ranges from 2,000 – 2,500 Kcal, depending on gender, physical condition, weight, and nature of work. Popular vermicelli noodle soups like bún bò (beef noodle soup), bún riêu (crab noodle soup), bún mọc (pork patty noodle soup)… typically provide 400–600 calories per dish, depending on the ingredients used.
The key to not worrying about getting fat lies in adjusting your calorie intake to match your daily energy expenditure. If you manage this well, enjoying vermicelli dishes will not affect your physique and will also make your meals more diverse and delicious.
Losing 3kg/week is a journey that requires persistence, knowledge, and the right food choices. Vermicelli – a traditional Vietnamese dish, is often thought to contain starch and easily lead to weight gain. However, if used correctly, vermicelli can become a reasonable part of a scientific weight loss menu.
7-day vermicelli weight loss menu (for breakfast or lunch):
Day 1 Breakfast: Shredded chicken vermicelli, Vietnamese coriander, no skin (250 kcal) Lunch: Steamed fish, fresh vermicelli (100g), boiled vegetables, lime-chili dipping sauce (400 kcal) Total energy: approximately 650 kcal
Day 2 Breakfast: Mixed vermicelli with boiled chicken breast, cucumber, lettuce, no oil (300 kcal) Lunch: Vermicelli cooked with pumpkin, silken tofu, mushrooms (eaten as soup) (350 kcal) High in fiber, suitable for vegetarians
Day 3 Breakfast: Pan-seared salmon vermicelli, bok choy (350 kcal) Lunch: Boiled eggs, 100g vermicelli, boiled long beans (400 kcal) Sufficient protein and starch from rice
Day 4 Breakfast: Mixed vermicelli with lean beef, herbs, diluted fish sauce (350 kcal) Lunch: Vermicelli with vegetable soup (pumpkin, carrots, mushrooms) and tofu (300 kcal) Low in fat, easy to digest
Day 5 Breakfast: Fresh spring rolls with vermicelli (including shrimp, lettuce, cucumber, 50g vermicelli), served with peanut sauce (300 kcal) Lunch: Steamed ginger fish, 100g vermicelli, sweet cabbage soup (350 kcal) Dishes with broth, reducing boredom
Day 6 Breakfast: Vegetarian Bún Riêu (mushrooms, tofu, tomatoes, fresh herbs) (320 kcal) Lunch: Vermicelli with boiled eggs and stir-fried vegetables (low oil) (400 kcal) Maintains a reasonable average calorie intake
Day 7 Breakfast: Steamed chicken vermicelli, blanched water spinach (300 kcal) Lunch: Vermicelli with sour fish soup (snakehead fish), plenty of vegetables (400 kcal) Concludes the week with a traditional low-oil vermicelli soup dish
This 7-day weight loss menu with vermicelli is not only easy to follow but also rich in nutritional value. Vermicelli – a dish made from rice, soft strands, and lower in calories than rice – is a worthwhile option for those who want to maintain their physique without overly strict dieting. The key is to control portions, choose low-oil preparation methods, and combine it with vegetables and appropriate protein.
