Pork is one of the most common foods people consume daily. Because it is eaten so often, people have invented many new and creative ways to cook this traditional dish. While innovation is good, a lack of nutritional knowledge can lead to health problems.
1. Beef
The saying that pork and beef should not be eaten together has a long history. The "Yin Zheng Yao" (Essentials of Dietetics) states: "Pork should not be eaten with beef."
This is mainly from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). First, from the perspective of the medicinal properties of food, pork is sour, cold, and slightly cool, with a nature that is greasy and yin-cold. Beef, on the other hand, has a sweet and warm aroma, can tonify the spleen and stomach, strengthen the waist and legs, and has the effect of pacifying the middle and replenishing qi. One is warm and the other is cold; one tonifies the middle and stomach, while the other is cold and greasy, which can weaken a person. Their natures and flavors are in conflict, so they should not be eaten together. 2. Sheep Liver
TCM says: "Eating pork with sheep liver causes one to feel oppressed in the chest."
This is mainly because sheep liver has a bitter and cold nature, tonifies the liver, improves vision, and treats liver wind and deficiency heat. Pork is "greasy and becomes damp-heat in the stomach." From the perspective of medicinal properties, the combination is not suitable. Sheep liver has a gamey smell; when stir-fried with pork, it easily produces a strange flavor. From a culinary perspective, it is also not suitable. 3. Soybeans
From the perspective of modern nutrition, soybeans are not a suitable match for pork because they contain a high amount of phytic acid, with 60%-80% of phosphorus existing in the form of phytic acid.
It often forms complexes with proteins and mineral elements, affecting the availability of both and reducing their utilization efficiency. Additionally, soybeans bind with minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc in lean meats and other non-vegetarian foods, thereby interfering with and reducing the body's absorption of these elements.
Therefore, pork and soybeans (like soybeans) are not a suitable combination. Stewing pig's trotters with soybeans is an inappropriate pairing. 4. Cilantro
Cilantro, also known as coriander, can remove gamey smells and goes well with lamb.
Cilantro is pungent and warm, which consumes qi and harms the spirit. Pork is greasy and promotes damp-heat and phlegm production. Ancient texts record: "All meats have a tonic effect, except for pork, which has none."
One consumes qi, while the other has no tonic effect, so consuming them together is harmful to the body.