“Should You Use Meat Broth for Boiling Vegetables or Making Soup?”

A Facebook user, L.N., shared an interesting story on a social media forum about a couple’s disagreement over cooking methods. L.N. prefers to use the water from boiling meat to cook vegetables or make soup, while her husband insists on boiling meat and vegetables separately.

TS Tu Ngu, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Nutrition Association, offered his insights on this topic:

It is true that meat broth is nutritious. When meat is boiled, the fatty substance that rises to the top is protein. Drinking this broth gives you the sweet taste of meat. Therefore, it is perfectly healthy to cook vegetables in meat broth or use it for soup, as it enhances protein and nutrient intake.

However, meat broth can also contain impurities. Pork, for instance, often has external contaminants that, if not properly cleaned, will leave residue and black foam in the broth. If not carefully removed, boiling vegetables in this water can expose you to higher levels of toxins, potentially affecting your overall health and making your meal less appetizing.

To eliminate these impurities, briefly blanch the meat to allow the contaminants to escape with the foam. Then, rinse the meat under clean running water and boil it again until it’s cooked. While this method may result in a slight loss of nutrients and a less sweet broth, it significantly improves hygiene.

Therefore, it is advisable to purchase meat from a reliable source, ensuring it is fresh and properly processed. If you come across spoiled or stale meat, discard it immediately. For individuals with weight management issues or concerns about blood fat and liver fat, it is recommended to avoid using the broth from boiling fatty meats like pork belly.