Introduction: After the Frost's Descent solar term, the weather turns cooler. The cold and dry air can easily lead to discomforts like dryness, internal heat, and stomach cold. What's good to eat in autumn? Which foods can reduce internal heat and autumn dryness, while also nourishing the stomach? The editor recommends 5 types of gourds that can reduce heat and dryness, as well as nourish the stomach and strengthen the spleen.
As deep autumn arrives, the weather cools and the air becomes dry, easily causing discomforts like irritability and internal heat. At this time, eating some gourd vegetables can replenish moisture, moisten dryness, and reduce heat and inflammation. The editor recommends 5 types of melons and gourds to keep you moisturized throughout the autumn.
What to do with a stomachache in autumn? — Eat Pumpkin
Learn more about pumpkin recipes, we recommend clicking on the special feature: It's Time to Eat Gourds: Pumpkin
In autumn, the skin can become rough and dry. Eating pumpkin is very helpful for maintaining delicate skin because it is rich in carotene and vitamin C, which can protect the liver and also has a certain stomach-strengthening effect.
Pumpkin is also good for bones, and it has health benefits for the elderly and children who eat it often.
How to eat pumpkin for nutrition? — Pumpkin Nourishing Porridge
Ingredients: Pumpkin, Millet
1. First, peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds, and cut it into cubes. Place it in a container with a little water and cook on high in the microwave for ten minutes;
2. Take it out and mash it to make it smoother;
3. Cook the millet in a pot until it boils, then add the mashed pumpkin and stir well. You can add an appropriate amount of sugar to taste before turning off the heat;
Note: When cooking, it's best to stir continuously in the same direction to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
What to do if you're prone to anger and internal heat? — Eat Papaya
Strictly speaking, papaya is not a gourd because most gourds belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, while papaya belongs to the Rosaceae family. Papaya is fragrant, sweet, and especially high in vitamin C, which helps with whitening and can also aid in weight loss.
More importantly, papaya has a calming effect. Eating papaya when you are feeling irritable can help soothe your emotions.
How to eat papaya for nutrition? — Papaya Milk
Ingredients: 360g papaya, 2 cups of fresh milk, appropriate amount of white sugar, appropriate amount of crushed ice.
Method:
1. Choose a fresh, ripe papaya, peel it, remove the seeds, and cut it into large pieces, set aside.
2. Put the papaya pieces, fresh milk, white sugar, and an appropriate amount of crushed ice into a juicer and blend into a thick juice, ready to drink.
Effect: Moisturizes the skin and enhances beauty.
What to do with red eyes and dry lips? — Eat Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is the most recognized "heat-reducing" ingredient in China. Because bitter melon is "cold" in nature, it can clear heat and detoxify, and reduce fire and inflammation. Especially for symptoms caused by internal heat such as dark yellow urine, red eyes, sore throat, and chapped lips, eating bitter melon can quickly reduce heat and inflammation.
In addition, bitter melon is very high in vitamin C, which can whiten and beautify the skin. The enzymes in bitter melon can also help reduce fat and aid in weight loss.
How to eat bitter melon for nutrition? — Bitter Melon Juice
Method: 1. Use a grater to shred the bitter melon. Use a tea filter or cheesecloth to squeeze the bitter melon juice into a glass.
2. Add half a cup of water; the amount can be adjusted freely.
3. If it's too bitter, you can add lemon juice or apple puree to adjust the flavor.
Tip: Drink half to one cup a day. The vitamin C in bitter melon can prevent skin aging and lower blood cholesterol. However, vitamin C is not heat-resistant, so drinking it as juice is the most nutritious way.
What to do with dryness and internal heat in autumn? — Eat Winter Melon
Winter melon contains protein, carbohydrates, carotene, etc. Making juice from raw winter melon can nourish yin, reduce dryness, clear heat and detoxify, and reduce fat and promote urination. When the skin is dry and itchy in autumn and winter, you can eat some winter melon.
Note: It is not advisable to eat winter melon often or in large quantities in autumn and winter, as it can easily lead to an accumulation of cold, which is not good for the spleen and stomach.
How to eat winter melon for nutrition? — Winter Melon and Shrimp Soup
Method: 1. After buying fresh shrimp, remove the shrimp line, wash them, and remove the heads.
2. Peel the winter melon, remove the seeds, wash it, and cut it into small pieces.
3. Heat an appropriate amount of water in a pot; add ginger slices, pour in the winter melon pieces and shrimp;
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the winter melon is soft and cooked.
5. Finally, add an appropriate amount of salt and a dash of seasoning sauce for flavor, sprinkle with some cilantro for color, and it's ready to serve.
What to do with irritability, restlessness, and constant thirst? — Eat Cucumber
Cucumber has a very high water content and has an immediate effect against autumn dryness. It also contains vitamins C and B, which help with whitening and weight loss. The skin of the cucumber is also rich in nutrients and should be kept on when eating.
Remember, when soaking cucumbers, do not cut off the ends, as this will cause the nutrients to leach out.
How to eat cucumber for nutrition? — Tossed Cucumber
Method: First, wash the cucumber and peel it. Slice it thinly with a knife, marinate with an appropriate amount of salt for half an hour, then squeeze out the salt water. Mix with sugar, cooked vegetable oil, or sesame oil. If you like spicy food, you can also use chili oil, soy sauce, and aromatic vinegar to dress it.
Tip: Cucumber contains an enzyme that breaks down vitamin C, which can destroy the abundant vitamin C in other vegetables. Tomatoes are a typical vegetable rich in vitamin C. If the two are eaten together, the vitamin C absorbed from the tomatoes will be broken down by the enzyme in the cucumber, failing to achieve the effect of supplementing nutrition.