Pork is one of the most common foods parents give to young children. Because it is eaten so frequently, parents also try different ways to cook this traditional dish to meet their children's appetites. However, when innovating, it's also important to pay attention to nutritional balance, otherwise it can cause health problems.
Foods not suitable to be paired with pork
Beef
The idea that pork and beef should not be eaten together has a long history. "Yin Zheng Yao" (Principles of Correct Diet) states: "Pork should not be eaten with beef."
This is mainly from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine. From the perspective of the medicinal properties of food, pork is sour, cold, and slightly cool, with a nature that is greasy and yin-cold. Beef, on the other hand, has a sweet and warm taste, can strengthen the spleen and stomach, fortify the waist and legs, and has the effect of stabilizing the middle and replenishing qi. The two are one warm and one cold; one supplements the middle and stomach, while the other is cold and greasy, which can weaken a person. Their medicinal properties are somewhat conflicting, so they should not be eaten together.
Liver (from lamb or goat)
Traditional Chinese Medicine says: "Eating pork with lamb liver can cause a feeling of chest tightness." This is mainly because lamb liver has a bitter and cold nature, and is used to nourish the liver, improve eyesight, and treat liver wind deficiency heat. Pork is greasy and can generate damp-heat in the stomach. From the perspective of food medicinal properties, the combination is not suitable. Furthermore, lamb liver has a gamey smell, and when stir-fried with pork, it can easily produce a strange flavor. From a culinary perspective, it is also not appropriate. Moreover, children may not like it, so parents should pay attention to avoid this combination.
Soybeans
From the perspective of modern nutrition, soybeans are not suitable to be paired with pork because soybeans contain a high amount of phytic acid, with 60-80% of phosphorus existing in the form of phytic acid. It often forms complexes with proteins and mineral elements, affecting their bioavailability and reducing their utilization efficiency. Also, minerals in soybeans, such as calcium, iron, and zinc, bind with those in lean meats like pork, thereby interfering with and reducing the human body's absorption of these elements. Therefore, pork and soybeans are not a good match. It's best to avoid stewing soybeans with pork or other parts for young children. If children really like soybeans, they can be directly boiled, salted, and served with congee.
What are the best foods to pair with pork?
Pork + Cucumber
Cucumber has a sweet and cool nature, with the effects of clearing heat, promoting urination, and detoxifying. In daily diets, cucumber with pork is a dish made by pairing the pork, which nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and supplements the middle and replenishes qi, with cucumber. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and nourishing yin and moistening dryness. It is suitable for children with vexation and heat, yin deficiency with dry cough, weakness, fatigue, malnutrition, and constipation.
Pork + Lotus Root
Lotus root has a sweet and cold nature, with the effects of strengthening the spleen, whetting the appetite, nourishing the blood, promoting muscle growth, and stopping diarrhea. When paired with pork, which nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and supplements the middle and replenishes qi, this vegetarian-meat combination provides the body with rich nutrients and has the effect of nourishing yin and blood, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. It is suitable for children who are tired, weak, thin, or have a dry cough. It is also suitable for healthy and active children.
Pork + Daylily
Daylily, also known as golden needle flower, has a golden color, a rich aroma, and a fresh, smooth texture when eaten. Daylily is also very nutritious, rich in protein, various vitamins, and other nutrients. It can calm the five organs, nourish the heart, and improve eyesight. When paired with pork, which nourishes the kidney qi, it forms a dish that has the effect of nourishing qi and blood, and filling the marrow and essence. It can help prevent and treat neurasthenia, slow reactions, memory loss, and can also assist in treating children's poor appetite, weakness, and fatigue.