Introduction: The season of cold air is upon us again. Although it's not yet winter, many places in the north have already started to snow. Hot pot, a meal that stays piping hot, offers a wide variety of ingredients, is easy to prepare, and is perfect for group gatherings, is very popular with many people.
To learn more hot pot recipes, we recommend the daily special: Nourishing Hot Pots to Beat the Harsh Winter.
However, for some people, it's a painful pleasure. They feel great while eating but suffer afterwards because some people experience physical discomfort after eating hot pot, such as a sore throat, swollen gums, or oral ulcers and bleeding—symptoms of "heatiness" (上火). Some even experience diarrhea and vomiting.
Everyone knows that hot pot shouldn't be eaten in excess, and certainly not daily for convenience. Some people eat for several hours, even all night. This causes digestive fluids like gastric juice, bile, and pancreatic juice to secrete continuously, giving the glands no chance to rest. This can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea. In severe cases, it can lead to chronic gastritis, pancreatitis, and other diseases.
Furthermore, the broth in a hot pot becomes increasingly "heaty" (燥热) after prolonged boiling. Eating hot pot is a "heaty" method of dining. If you add ingredients like chicken, lamb, or dog meat, which are also considered "warm" (温), it becomes "adding heat to heat" (燥上加燥).
So, how can we food lovers eat hot pot more healthily?
1. Add more vegetables
A hot pot isn't just about meat, fish, and offal; it must also include plenty of vegetables. Vegetables are rich in vitamins and chlorophyll and are generally considered "cooling" (寒凉). They not only cut through the grease but also supplement the body's vitamins, and have a cooling, detoxifying, and "heat-reducing" effect. However, to retain this effect, don't cook the vegetables for too long.
2. Choose the broth carefully
Some people love extremely spicy broths, but these are very harsh on the digestive system. It's best to avoid broths that are too spicy and opt for "cooling" ones instead. Alternatively, you can add Chinese herbs to the broth. Use 10 grams each of Dendrobium (石斛), Scrophularia root (元参), and Ophiopogon root (麦冬), wrap them in a gauze packet, and cook them in the hot pot for 15-20 minutes. Remove the packet before eating. This combination has a nourishing and "fire-reducing" effect and can help prevent the "heatiness" caused by hot pot.
3. Don't drink the hot pot broth
Some people believe that hot pot broth is a delicious and nutritious concentrate of the lamb, beef, tofu, seafood, and other ingredients. "The reality is quite the opposite." As the broth boils repeatedly, some of its nutrients are destroyed. Moreover, many substances react chemically when boiled together for a long time, and these byproducts can often lead to certain diseases. The hot pot broth is not just useless; it's harmful and should not be consumed.
4. Make sure food is fully cooked
While hot pot is delicious, it can also cause many illnesses. Indulging in it frequently can quietly lead to gout, parasitic diseases, and damage to the oral mucosa. Therefore, when eating hot pot, pay close attention to the cleanliness of the meat. When slicing pork or beef, be sure to cook it thoroughly before eating.
5. Drink clear tea and eat fruit
Drinking tea after hot pot can not only cut the grease and refresh the palate but also has a "fire-reducing" effect. However, it's not advisable to drink tea immediately after a large meal of meat and fish, as the tannic acid in tea can bind with protein, affecting nutrient absorption and potentially causing constipation. Generally, about 30-40 minutes after the meal, you can eat some fruits with "cooling" properties, such as navel oranges or pears. Eating one or two of these fruits after your meal will help you produce saliva and relieve the discomfort of "heatiness".
At the same time, it's best to pay attention to personal hygiene when eating hot pot. After all, when a group of people share a pot, using serving chopsticks is a good way to protect your personal health. Furthermore, people with different constitutions should understand their own body types and choose their hot pot ingredients accordingly.