Although the way of eating hot pot is simple, there are quite a few techniques involved. The dipping, shaking, and saucing of the ingredients is a matter of skill.
Many people love hot pot but worry about gaining weight, especially women, who may have to resist the temptation of this delicious food. So, how can you eat hot pot while on a diet? Here, experts have three tips:
First, eat until you are full, but don't overindulge. Although the calorie content of hot pot is lower than that of general fried, pan-fried, or stir-fried dishes, eating too much can easily lead to excessive calorie intake and weight gain.
Second, try to choose fresh foods and avoid processed products. For example, dumplings and meatballs are high in fat and salt, so their consumption should be reduced.
Third, prioritize low-fat and low-salt seasonings. Also, pay attention to the calorie content of the broth, such as the 1840 calories in a spicy numbing broth, and avoid hot pot varieties that are too high in calories.
Of course, before you start eating, it is also very important to prepare properly for your hot pot meal.
It's best to drink a small glass of fresh juice before your meal, followed by vegetables, and then meat. This way, you can make rational use of the nutrients in the food, reduce the burden on your digestive system, and achieve a healthy diet.
The following are some good drink choices when eating hot pot:
Carbonated drinks: Although they have little nutritional value, the carbon dioxide in them can aid digestion.
Juice drinks: Rich in organic acids, they can stimulate gastrointestinal secretion and aid digestion. They can also make the upper small intestine acidic, which helps with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. However, people who are controlling their weight, the elderly, and those with high blood sugar should choose low-sugar drinks.
Vegetable juices, dairy products, and plant protein drinks: Such as yogurt, almond milk, coconut milk, and herbal tea, these are suitable for people with chronic diseases and the elderly.
Alcoholic beverages: When eating hot pot, it is best to drink some white wine or red wine, which can have a sterilizing and deodorizing effect and is most suitable when eating lamb hot pot.
The proper order for eating hot pot
Although the way of eating hot pot is simple, there are quite a few techniques involved. The dipping, shaking, and saucing of the ingredients is a matter of skill.
One dip: Place the meat slices in the hot pot and blanch them in boiling water. When experts blanch meat, they do it one slice at a time, cooking and eating immediately. The pot is bubbling, but it's always empty. Put a few slices of meat into the pot and quickly separate them with chopsticks; otherwise, the meat will clump together when it hits the hot water. When the meat turns a light pink, it's time to take it out.
One shake: Once the meat is blanched, use your chopsticks to take it out of the pot and be sure to give it a gentle shake to flick off the excess dripping water back into the pot. Otherwise, when you dip it in the sauce, the water will dilute the sauce, making it less flavorful.
One sauce: Hot meat with cool sauce is the ultimate way to enjoy blanched meat. When dipping, be sure to immerse the meat in the sauce, scooping it up from the bottom to ensure it is fully coated with condiments like chopped green onions and cilantro. This guarantees every bite is delicious and allows the sauce to be fully effective. Avoid piling a lot of meat into the sauce bowl and stirring it around. Doing so will ruin the flavor of both the meat and the sauce.