4 Winter Nourishing Foods to Avoid Overheating.

Winter is a great time for nourishment and wellness, and foods like lamb, beef, and dog meat become popular. It should be noted that while these foods are effective at warding off the cold, they also make the winter diet high in calories and fat. Coupled with dry air in winter and relatively insufficient physical activity, it is very easy to accumulate internal heat, and improper methods can lead to more harm than good. At this time, you might as well eat more of the four major "special products" of winter: winter bamboo shoots, winter mushrooms, winter melon, and winter jujubes, to ensure adequate core nutrients such as calcium, vitamins, and protein.

Winter Bamboo Shoots

Winter bamboo shoots contain protein, amino acids, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, and vitamins B1, B2, C, and other components. They are not only rich in various nutrients but also have high medicinal value. Winter bamboo shoots are characterized by low fat, low sugar, and high fiber. Regular consumption can promote intestinal peristalsis, eliminate indigestion, and reduce the absorption and accumulation of fat by the gastrointestinal tract. The famous medical book "Ming Yi Bie Lu" states that it "mainly relieves thirst, promotes urination, replenishes qi, and can be consumed for a long time," while "Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi" says it "benefits the nine orifices, invigorates blood circulation, resolves phlegm, and eliminates food stagnation," and is especially good at clearing heat-phlegm.

Winter bamboo shoots can be cooked with meat, poultry, seafood, and other ingredients, or stir-fried with edible fungi and green leafy vegetables. They can also be served as a dish on their own. However, because winter bamboo shoots contain a lot of oxalic acid, people with kidney stones and gout should eat them in moderation and blanch them before cooking to remove the oxalic acid.

Winter Bamboo Shoots Sausage

Winter Mushroom

Winter mushrooms, also known as shiitake mushrooms, are a commonly eaten fungus in winter. They are low in calories and high in protein and vitamins, providing the body with various vitamins and promoting the absorption of calcium. Regular consumption of shiitake mushrooms is also good for enhancing immunity and preventing colds. Whether dried or fresh, shiitake mushrooms can be paired with various meat or vegetarian dishes to make delicious meals, serving as either the main or auxiliary ingredient. They are suitable for all groups of people, especially beneficial for preventing diseases such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as the dietary fiber they contain helps the body to expel excess cholesterol.

Winter Melon

Winter melon contains protein, carbohydrates, carotene, various vitamins, crude fiber, and calcium, phosphorus, iron. It is also high in potassium and low in sodium. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting urination and reducing phlegm, relieving restlessness and thirst, and eliminating dampness and summer heat. It is used for symptoms such as vexation in the chest and heart, difficult urination, lung abscess and cough, liver cirrhosis with ascites, diuresis and swelling, and high blood pressure. Those with a weak spleen and stomach or kidney deficiency should not take it in large amounts. Winter melon is best cooked with duck, ham, shiitake mushrooms, kelp, and other foods for better therapeutic effects.

Winter Jujube

Fresh winter jujubes are delicious, with a crisp skin and tender flesh of excellent quality. They can even crack open when they fall to the ground after ripening. They are juicy with no dregs, sweet and fragrant. They contain 35-38% soluble solids, with thick flesh and small seeds, and an edible rate of 96.1%.

Winter jujubes contain various amino acids and vitamins needed by the human body, especially a high content of vitamin C, which can improve human immunity and prevent colds. In addition, they are also rich in carbohydrates and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which can effectively protect the liver and cardiovascular system. People with abdominal bloating and diabetes should not eat too much. Those with gastritis or gastric ulcers should peel the jujubes before eating them raw.

Braised Winter Jujubes with Rock Sugar