I. Cook food to the appropriate degree. That is, food should not be undercooked or overcooked when eating hot pot. Undercooked food cannot effectively kill surface pathogens or parasite eggs, which can easily lead to digestive diseases. Overcooked food will destroy vitamins and amino acids and lose its natural flavor.
II. The flavor should not be too strong. Some people especially love the numbing and spicy flavor. Excessive numbness can desensitize the lips and tongue, making it impossible to taste the food. Excessive spiciness can irritate the gastric mucosa, inducing stomach cancer and unexplained skin diseases.
III. Do not eat food that has been left overnight in a metal hot pot. The plating on the hot pot's surface can react with the broth, producing compounds like sulfuric acid that dissolve into the soup. Consuming broth that has been left overnight can cause nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases, lead to acute poisoning. Therefore, the broth should not be left overnight or stored for long periods in the hot pot.
IV. It is not advisable to drink beer while eating hot pot. Purines in the hot pot broth are converted into uric acid in the body, and beer causes this uric acid to deposit in the body's joints or soft tissues, leading to gout. In severe cases, it can also lead to complications such as kidney stones and uremia.
V. Pay attention to safety. On one hand, be cautious of the hot pot tipping over, as the high temperature can easily cause burns upon direct contact with the skin. Furthermore, gas pipe connections should be secure to prevent accidents if they suddenly detach.