No matter the time, crispy fried foods have always been a favorite of children. But in the summer, the hot and dry weather makes it very easy to get "heatiness" from eating such foods often. This troubles many parents. Today, the editor will teach everyone what children can eat in the summer to reduce internal heat.
Mung Bean and Coix Seed Soup
1: Mung Beans
Mung beans are sweet and cold in nature, entering the heart and stomach meridians, and have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, relieving summer heat, and promoting urination. In "Compendium of Materia Medica", it is recorded: eating mung beans can reduce swelling, promote qi circulation, clear heat and detoxify, relieve summer heat and thirst, balance the five organs, calm the mind, replenish vital energy, and moisturize the skin; mung bean powder can resolve various toxins, treat sores and swellings, and heal scalds; the skin of mung beans can relieve heat toxins and remove nebula from the eyes; it is suitable for children to reduce internal heat.
However, it should be noted that mung beans should not be cooked for too long, so as to avoid the destruction of organic acids and vitamins, which reduces the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. Also, because mung beans are cool-natured, children with weak spleen and stomach should not eat too much, just an appropriate amount is fine.
2: Tomatoes
Although available all year round, tomatoes are most abundant, sweetest, and most nutritious in the summer. They can also clear heat and detoxify, and calm the liver and reduce internal heat.
3: "Reduce Spicy, Increase Sour"
"Reduce Spicy, Increase Sour" originates from the theory of balancing the five flavors (sweet, sour, spicy, bitter, salty) in traditional Chinese dietary nutrition. "Spicy" mainly refers to pungent flavors, such as chili, Sichuan pepper, green onions, garlic, ginger, etc. Spicy foods consume a large amount of body fluids, causing dryness and heat in the body, adding fuel to the fire.
While "Sour" mainly refers to substances such as tannins, organic acids, and dietary fiber found in fruits, vegetables, and some meats. "Sour" has astringent and binding effects, can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, accelerate gastrointestinal peristalsis, and has a significant effect on treating excessive sweating, persistent diarrhea, and frequent urination. When a child's digestion is good, accumulated heat and toxins are easier to expel, so it can help the child to better "put out the fire".
4: Spinach
Spinach has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, soothing the liver and nourishing blood. It is the most suitable vegetable for nourishing the liver in the spring. Moreover, spinach is good for the stomach and intestines, helps the body detoxify, promotes human metabolism, and improves health. Its warm nature can effectively relieve symptoms of heatiness such as bad breath and hard, dry stools.
5: Strawberries
When liver fire is excessive, eating some strawberries can have an inhibitory effect. In addition, it is best to eat strawberries after a meal because they contain a large amount of pectin and dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility, aid digestion, improve constipation, and prevent the occurrence of hemorrhoids and colon cancer.
6: Be Cautious with the Amount of Seasoning
We all know that babies under 1 year old should eat less or no seasonings. But as your baby gradually grows, you may slowly start to add some for flavor. Did you know that common seasonings like star anise, fennel, pepper, and cinnamon are "heaty" seasonings and can easily cause internal heat. Especially in the summer and autumn, if a child eats too many dishes and meats stewed with these "heaty" seasonings, they may experience symptoms like heatstroke, pharyngitis, mouth sores, and constipation.
To all moms and dads, after reading this, I hope everyone will remember what children can eat in the summer to reduce internal heat. Remember these 6 points, and don't let your baby spend this scorching summer suffering from internal heat.
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