Many hot pot lovers, due to improper eating habits, are prone to indigestion symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Here are some healthy tips for enjoying hot pot.
Order of Ingredients: Raw and Cooked
Simmering and eating as you go, the steaming hot pot brings great satisfaction to diners.
However, many health hazards often arise at this very moment. Many people, eager for that tender texture, fail to master the cooking time. Raw meat and fish are often just dipped in the pot and immediately eaten. At this point, bacteria or parasite eggs in the meat are usually not killed and enter the human digestive tract directly, easily causing gastrointestinal infections and other diseases.
In addition, chopsticks and bowls used for handling raw food should be kept separate from those for eating directly. Do not mix raw and cooked utensils to avoid contamination by bacteria and prevent illness through the mouth.
It is recommended that hot pot diners pay attention to the order of ingredients: start with vegetables, then meat, and eat more boiled foods. Ingredients should be fully cooked in the boiling broth to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
Dietary Pairing: Hot and Cold in Balance
Generally, dishes taken from the hot pot are very hot and can easily burn the oral and esophageal mucosa. To avoid this, many people will quickly drink a large glass of iced beer or a frozen beverage. However, this sharp contrast between hot and cold can easily cause indigestion, leading to diarrhea and constipation.
Therefore, it is advisable not to be too impatient when eating hot pot. Let the cooked food cool slightly by dipping it in cold condiments, and avoid eating food that is too hot. It is also best to minimize the consumption of frozen drinks; you can opt for vegetable juices or yogurt, which can stimulate gastrointestinal secretions and aid digestion.
Avoid Irritation: Spicy in Moderation
Many people love the spicy flavor of hot pot bases and ingredients. Unbeknownst to them, excessive spice continuously irritates the throat and gastrointestinal tract, easily leading to sore throat, stomach ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea, and other digestive diseases.
Spicy seasonings for hot pot can also be very irritating to the digestive tract. It is recommended that patients with digestive diseases (such as stomach problems, constipation, or diarrhea) should try to avoid these seasonings. Patients with respiratory diseases (such as tuberculosis, throat inflammation, or allergic asthma) should also avoid irritating spicy seasonings and opt for milder condiments like light vinegar or sesame oil.
Know When to Stop: Moderation in Portion
When eating hot pot, people often gather together, chatting and eating, which can cause them to lose track of time. In fact, sitting for long periods to eat hot pot significantly increases the burden on the digestive tract. As the stomach continuously receives food, digestive juices like gastric acid, bile, and pancreatic juice are secreted non-stop, preventing the digestive glands from resting normally. Furthermore, eating too much or too varied a meal can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and in severe cases, it can even trigger acute gastroenteritis, cholecystitis, or pancreatitis. Therefore, it is recommended to control your mealtime when eating hot pot and avoid continuous eating for several hours.