Malatang (spicy numbing hot pot) is very popular everywhere these days. As the old saying goes, "Fine food is never tiresome." Modern people are also becoming more particular about their diet. While enjoying this delicious food, how can you make your Malatang more nutritious and healthy?
The main side ingredients for Malatang are things like chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and bay leaves. While they are great at stimulating the appetite, most of them are considered to be "hot" in nature. "It's best to pair it with fresh vegetables, which have a cooling, detoxifying, and heat-reducing effect. Additionally, you can choose more mushrooms and bean products to balance the nutrition. Generally, a meat-to-vegetable ratio of 1:2 is more suitable, which can ensure a balance of acids and bases," suggests Professor Li Huiming from the Department of Nutrition at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Celery, asparagus lettuce, and white radish are top choices. Cabbages can also clear heat and detoxify, but large-leafy vegetables tend to 'absorb' too much oil and are not very suitable for Malatang.
Furthermore, eating more kelp can help reduce fat accumulation. You can also choose 1-2 types of mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms, straw mushrooms, or fresh shiitake mushrooms. These mushrooms contain various amino acids that can stimulate the taste buds to create a umami flavor, which is better than the flavor of pure MSG and won't leave you thirsty.
When choosing meat dishes, the reporter noticed that most people choose processed meat products like fish balls, ham sausages, and luncheon meat. However, from a nutritional perspective, it's better to choose pure meat products like chicken wings or squid. Low-quality fish balls and luncheon meat are basically made of starch with little nutritional value and will increase calorie intake. Squid is rich in calcium, phosphorus, and iron, which is very beneficial for bone development and blood production. The large amount of taurine in squid can relieve fatigue, restore vision, and improve liver function. It is a healthy, low-calorie food, especially suitable for oily and heavily flavored Malatang.
In addition, when eating Malatang, you might as well ask for a small dish of vinegar to dip your food in as you eat. This not only makes the flavor more delicious but also helps to cut through the oil and grease.