Many people who love hot pot are prone to indigestion symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain due to improper eating habits. Here are some healthy methods for enjoying hot pot.
When eating hot pot, is it better to cook the meat or the vegetables first?
The order of cooking matters for raw and cooked foods
While cooking and eating, the steaming hot pot brings great satisfaction to diners.
However, many health hazards often arise at this critical moment. Many people, eager for a tender bite, fail to control the cooking time. Raw meat and fish are often briefly dipped in the pot and immediately eaten. At this point, bacteria or parasite eggs in the meat are often not killed and directly enter the human digestive tract, easily causing gastrointestinal infections and other diseases.
In addition, chopsticks and bowls used for handling and serving raw food should be kept separate from those for eating directly to avoid cross-contamination and prevent illness from entering through the mouth.
It is recommended that hot pot diners pay attention to the order of cooking: first blanch vegetables, then eat meat, and opt for more thoroughly cooked items. Ingredients should be fully cooked in the boiling broth to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
Pairing your diet: balance between hot and cold
Generally, dishes scooped from the hot pot are very hot and can easily burn the oral and esophageal mucosa. Many people, to counteract the heat, will quickly drink a large glass of iced beer or frozen beverage. However, such extreme temperature contrasts can easily lead to indigestion, causing diarrhea and constipation.
Therefore, it is advisable not to be too impatient when eating hot pot. Cooked food should first be dipped in cold condiments, and avoid eating food that is too hot. Also, try to consume fewer frozen beverages; you can opt for vegetable juice, yogurt, etc., to stimulate gastrointestinal secretions and aid digestion.
Avoid irritation: use spicy ingredients in moderation
Many people love the spicy flavor of hot pot bases and condiments. Unknowingly, excessive spice intake continuously irritates the throat and gastrointestinal tract, easily leading to sore throat, stomach ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea, and other digestive diseases.
Many spicy hot pot condiments are also very irritating to the digestive tract. It is recommended that patients with digestive diseases (such as stomach ailments, constipation, or diarrhea) should try to avoid these condiments. Those with respiratory diseases (such as tuberculosis, throat inflammation, allergic asthma, etc.) should also avoid irritating spicy seasonings and opt for milder options like light vinegar or sesame oil.
Know your limits: control your meal size
When eating hot pot, people often gather together, eating and chatting, which can easily 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, it causes digestive juices like gastric acid, bile, and pancreatic juice to secrete constantly, preventing the digestive glands from resting normally. Many people, due to overeating or consuming too many varied foods, may experience gastrointestinal dysfunction, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and it may even trigger acute gastroenteritis, cholecystitis, or pancreatitis. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to controlling meal duration when eating hot pot and avoid continuous eating for several hours.