Avoiding starchy foods and consuming large amounts of protein-rich foods on an empty stomach will lead to the protein being wasted and is also detrimental to gastrointestinal health.
High-protein foods are not milk or legumes, but meat and fish. Meat and fish contain almost no carbohydrates. Apart from about 70% water and a small amount of minerals, the rest is protein and fat, with a protein content far higher than that of soybeans.
Eating fish and meat on an empty stomach "wastes protein." This means that when the body needs energy and there are not enough carbohydrates (mainly found in grains, legumes, fruits, and tuber foods), it has to break down protein for energy.
Eating fish and meat on an empty stomach can easily lead to excessive intake. Consuming too much animal protein can disrupt the body's acid-base balance, increasing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and gout. It can also accelerate the loss of calcium, leading to osteoporosis.
Nutritionists advise that when attending a banquet, you should first eat some carbohydrate-containing foods, such as a small bowl of multigrain porridge, a little buckwheat flour, or a small amount of cold tuber dishes like Chinese yam or taro. This can prevent greasy foods from harming the stomach. Eating some starchy dishes during the meal is also a good idea, such as braised dishes with steamed sweet potatoes, sweet corn, or potatoes. It is best to avoid various crispy pastries, fried rice, and other fried snacks, as these foods have an excessively high oil content and very low fiber, failing to provide balanced nutrition and protect health.