Introduction: In the hot summer days, a reminder for the middle-aged and elderly: eat less hairtail fish and grass carp, and eat more of these three ingredients to lay the foundation for the second half of the year.
During the dog days of summer, the hottest period of the year, with scorching sunlight and heat, poses a significant challenge to the human body, especially for middle-aged and elderly individuals. At this time, a balanced diet becomes particularly important.
Traditionally, hairtail fish and grass carp are revered for their delicious meat and rich nutrition. However, during the dog days, their properties lean towards being warm, and consuming too much could exacerbate internal heat, which is not beneficial for the body’s balance. Therefore, it is recommended that middle-aged and elderly individuals appropriately adjust their diet during this period, eating more of the following three ingredients, which are not only nutritious and delicious but also budget-friendly, making them more suitable for summer health preservation. Eating more lays the foundation for the second half of the year!
1. Mung Beans — The “Green Pearl” that Clears Heat and Relieves Summer Heat
Nutritional Analysis: Mung beans are cool in nature and taste sweet, helping to clear heat and detoxify. In the hot summer days, the human body tends to sweat, and moisture and electrolytes can be easily lost. Mung bean soup not only replenishes moisture in a timely manner but also effectively alleviates irritability caused by the heat, making it particularly suitable during this season.
Recommended Preparation: Mung Bean, Lily, and Lotus Seed Soup
Ingredients: 100 grams of mung beans, 20 grams of dried lily, 30 grams of lotus seeds, appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Steps:
Mung beans, dried lilies, and lotus seeds are washed separately, and the lotus seeds are cored and soaked in clean water for more than 2 hours.
Put the soaked mung beans, lily, and lotus seeds together in a pot, add an appropriate amount of clean water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat.
Simmer until the mung beans split and the lotus seeds become soft. Add rock sugar to taste according to personal preferences, and boil for a few more minutes until the sugar completely dissolves.
Tip: Do not add alkaline substances when cooking mung beans, as it may destroy their nutritional components. Adjust the amount of rock sugar according to personal conditions; xylitol can be used as a substitute.
2. Cucumbers — The “Summer Delicacy” That Quenches Thirst
Nutritional Analysis: Cucumbers are cool in nature, taste sweet, and are rich in moisture, making them ideal for relieving heat and cooling down in the summer. Their high water content is also very suitable for consumption during the dog days; eating more cucumbers in this season promotes metabolism and enhances beauty.
Recommended Preparation: Cold Mixed Cucumbers with Black Fungus
Ingredients: 1 cucumber, 10 grams of dried black fungus, appropriate amount of minced garlic, and a little soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and sugar.
Steps:
Soak the dried black fungus in warm water in advance, remove the stems, wash clean, tear into small pieces, and blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then cool in cold water and drain.
Wash the cucumber, smash it lightly, and cut it into sections or pieces. Add a little salt and let it marinate for a while, then squeeze out the excess water.
Combine the cucumber and black fungus in a large bowl, add minced garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, a little salt, and sugar, and mix well before serving.
Tip: When making cold dishes, pay attention to hygiene; all ingredients and tools must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid contamination from raw foods.
3. Winter Melon — The “Summer Treasure” That Promotes Urination and Reduces Swelling
Nutritional Analysis: Winter melon is cool in nature and tastes sweet, helping to clear heat, relieve summer heat, reduce fat, and aid weight loss. Its high water content and low-calorie characteristics make it an ideal food for weight loss and health care in the summer, so be sure to eat more!
Recommended Preparation: Winter Melon with Job’s Tears and Pork Ribs
