According to a report in the Health News, having a drink is almost inevitable when dining out; red wine, white wine, fruit juice, yogurt... How can you pair these beverages with food for the healthiest combination? Experts offer the following advice:
Drink less alcohol when eating meat
People often say, "eat meat in big bites, drink wine in big bowls." In fact, this is extremely harmful to your health. Dishes rich in seafood or meat-heavy buffets are best paired with fresh fruit juice or lemon water. You should avoid white liquor, beer, and carbonated drinks. The latter three beverages can cause excessive stomach acid secretion,加重 the burden on the pancreas, and lead to high purine metabolism and indigestion. If you want to drink alcohol, a small amount of red wine is acceptable.
Be cautious of "fake" fresh-squeezed juices
Beverages in the juice category include freshly made ones and those blended from juice concentrates. When ordering such drinks, try to choose products with high juice and pulp content. Also, be mindful of preventing cavities after drinking them. Furthermore, if you drink juice with your meal, its calories should be counted towards the total calorie count of the meal to control food intake. Some vendors use small amounts of fresh juice mixed with fruit concentrate additives to create what they call "fresh-squeezed juice." Additionally, three white powders—fruit powder, sugar, and creamer—are often used in these "fresh-squeezed juices." These additives significantly reduce the nutritional value of the so-called fresh juice.
Yogurt is suitable for children and women
Yogurt contains a large amount of probiotics, which aid digestion; it is also rich in calcium, making it suitable for children and women. However, it should be noted that if the meal is rich in dietary fiber or oxalic acid, it is best to avoid consuming milk and dairy products.
Don't drink too many carbonated beverages
Carbonated beverages contain phosphoric acid, carbonic acid, and large amounts of simple sugars, which have adverse effects on teeth and bones. Additionally, the carbon dioxide produced by carbonated drinks can affect appetite and digestion, and the sugar content adds a significant amount of calories, so they should not be consumed in excess.
Don't drink strong tea with meals
Drinking tea on an empty stomach can dilute gastric juices and reduce digestive function, so avoid drinking large amounts of tea before a meal. Do not drink strong tea during or after a meal because tea contains a large amount of tannic acid, which can react with iron in food, causing impaired iron absorption. However, if you have eaten a lot of greasy food, light tea can help to cut through the grease.