Read: In the dog days of summer, it’s better not to eat meat, but to consume more “sanfu soup.” Have a bowl every day for good energy and complexion! As the scorching sun of summer arrives, we face the hottest period of the year, known as the “sanfu days”. It is said that “the heat is in the sanfu” – during these days, the high temperatures and humidity cause people to sweat more, leading to a loss of water and nutrients in the body. During this time, dietary care is crucial. It’s important not only to replenish fluids but also to focus on balanced nutrition intake.
In traditional Chinese health beliefs, soups have always been considered beneficial for nourishment. During the sanfu days, a steaming bowl of soup not only helps cool down the body but also replenishes lost fluids and nutrients, leaving one energized, strong, and with a good complexion. Today, let’s discuss why during the sanfu days, it’s preferable to skip meat and consume more of the “sanfu soup”!
I. Health principles of drinking soup during sanfu days:
During the sanfu days, with high temperatures, the body sweats easily, causing loss of water, salt, as well as some vitamins and minerals. Metabolism accelerates, and appetite declines. Therefore, drinking soup to replenish fluids and nutrients is not only in line with the body’s needs in summer but also aids in digestion and absorption.
The old tradition believes that soups offer warmth, replenishment, and help relieve heat. In the sanfu days, consuming some soups that clear heat, quench thirst, and invigorate the spleen can effectively alleviate discomfort in summer and boost the body’s resistance. Have a bowl every day for good spirit and complexion!
II. Recommended soups and methods for sanfu days:
1. Mung Bean Lily Lotus Seed Soup:
Ingredients: 100g mung beans, 50g lily bulbs, 30g lotus seeds, sugar as needed.
Method:
Soak mung beans, lily bulbs, and lotus seeds in water for 2 hours to fully expand.
Put the soaked ingredients in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water.
Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for about 1 hour until the mung beans blossom and the lotus seeds are tender.
Add sugar to taste, stir well, and serve. Benefits: Mung beans clear heat and toxins, diuretic and reduce swelling; lily bulbs moisten the lungs, relieve coughs, clear the mind, and calm the spirit; lotus seeds tonify the spleen and stop diarrhea. The combination of these three ingredients provides both cooling and nourishing effects.
2. Winter Melon Coix Seed Duck Soup:
Ingredients: 500g winter melon, 100g coix seeds, half a duck, sliced ginger as needed, salt as needed.
Method:
Clean the duck and cut into large pieces; peel and cut the winter melon; soak the coix seeds in water for 1 hour.
Add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, add the duck pieces and ginger, bring to a boil, skimming off any foam.
Simmer over low heat for 1 hour, then add the winter melon pieces and coix seeds.
Continue to simmer for 30 minutes until the duck meat is tender and the coix seeds are cooked. Season with salt to taste. Benefits: Winter melon clears heat, eliminates toxins, diuretic, and reduces swelling; coix seeds benefit the spleen, remove dampness, clear heat, and detoxify; duck meat is cool in nature, nourishing yin, reducing fire, and tonifying deficiencies. The combination provides cooling and nourishing properties, making it an ideal soup for sanfu days.
3. Tomato Egg Soup:
Ingredients: 2 tomatoes, 2 eggs, chopped scallions as needed, salt as needed, a few drops of sesame oil.
Method:
Wash and chop the tomatoes; beat the eggs and set aside.
Add water to a pot, add the tomato pieces, bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes over low heat.
Slowly pour in the beaten eggs while stirring to create egg flowers.
Season with salt and scallions, drizzle with sesame oil, and serve. Benefits: Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and lycopene, with antioxidant properties that boost immunity; eggs are rich in high-quality proteins and various nutrients. The combination provides nutritional value, aids digestion, and is a simple and delicious soup for sanfu days.
III. Soup consumption considerations:
Consume in moderation: While soup can replenish fluids and nutrients, it should be consumed in moderation. Excessive intake can lead to excess body fluids and burden the kidneys.
Choose the right soups: During sanfu days, opt for soups that clear heat, quench thirst, invigorate the spleen, and aid digestion. Avoid overly greasy or spicy soups to avoid further burdening the body.
Pay attention to ingredient combinations: When making soup, pay attention to the combination and quantity of ingredients. Proper pairing maximizes effectiveness.
Consider the cooking method: Slow simmering soups can release nutrients and enhance flavor.
In conclusion, consuming soups wisely during sanfu days is a simple yet effective way to maintain good health. By selecting soups that clear heat, quench thirst, invigorate the spleen, and consuming them in moderation with well-paired ingredients, one can stay vibrant during the sanfu days.
