"Da Ban Cai" (also known as "Da Feng Shou") is a popular dish often ordered in restaurants. When the weather gets cold, why not give this "Big Tossed Salad" a makeover? Replace the lettuce with Chinese cabbage and the sugar in the dressing with honey to create a "New Big Tossed Salad," which boosts both nutrition and texture.
Dr. Gao Jian from the Department of Nutrition at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, once wrote an article specifically advising that it's okay to eat some cold dishes in the winter. This is because, with air conditioners running constantly in the south and heating making everything warm in the north, the body's cells are left parched and craving water. Additionally, people tend to eat more "heaty" foods like beef and mutton during the cold weather, leading to an accumulation of internal heat.
At times like this, it's a good idea to periodically "cool down the internal heat," and having a "Big Tossed Salad" once a week is a great choice. Compared to eating one or two types of vegetables per meal, the "Big Tossed Salad," with its variety of vegetables, provides the body with a richer source of vitamins. Moreover, for those who socialize frequently at the end of the year, the "Big Tossed Salad" has another benefit—it helps sober up. This is because sugar has a protective effect on the liver and blood circulation, while vitamins and various trace elements can accelerate alcohol metabolism.
So, what vegetable is best to eat raw this season? Dr. Gao Jian's immediate answer was: Chinese cabbage.
Chinese cabbage is a seasonal winter vegetable. It has an extremely high water content and is rich in fiber, offering effects such as clearing heat, relieving dryness, and promoting urination and bowel movements. Therefore, Dr. Gao suggests that for a winter "Big Tossed Salad," you might as well replace the traditional lettuce with Chinese cabbage. You can also add some purple cabbage, red tomatoes, and green cucumbers yourself for even richer nutrition. For those with a lot of internal heat, consider replacing the sugar in the dressing with honey. The sweetness will be milder, and it will add an extra effect of relieving dryness to the "Big Tossed Salad."
Of course, since the "Big Tossed Salad" is a cold dish, people with a "cold stomach" should ideally drink a glass of warm water before eating it.