Introduction: During the dog days of summer, it is recommended that everyone: eat less ribbon fish and grass carp, and eat more of 3 things to nourish your body and mind without spending money unnecessarily
During the scorching period of the summer days, the natural positive energy is at its peak, and the human body enters the most vigorous metabolic period of the year. During this period, it is particularly important to adjust your diet wisely to maintain physical comfort. The old tradition emphasizes “keeping healthy according to the season,” that is, adjusting the diet to adapt to natural changes under different seasons and weather conditions to achieve a state of balance between yin and yang and harmony of body and mind.
Today, let’s chat about why it is recommended to eat less ribbon fish and grass carp during the dog days and instead eat three other nutritionally-rich, delicious, and cost-effective foods to enrich your summer dining table, eat well without spending money unnecessarily.
One, why should you avoid ribbon fish and grass carp during the dog days?
Characteristics of ribbon fish and grass carp:
Ribbon fish: As a deep-sea fish, ribbon fish is rich in high-quality proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, and various minerals, making it a great supplement for winter. However, during the dog days when the body’s positive energy is floating externally and relatively weak in cold, ribbon fish is cool in nature and excessive consumption may aggravate the internal coldness, making it unsuitable to eat.
Grass carp: Grass carp belongs to freshwater fish, with tender meat and rich nutrition, but it is also a cold-natured food. In the hot and humid dog days, the body is prone to damp-heat, eating more cold-natured foods may exacerbate internal dampness, so it should also be consumed less.
Dietary principles for the dog days:
The diet during the dog days should be light, easy to digest, and warm-nourishing, avoiding excessive intake of raw, cold, and cool foods. Therefore, in choosing ingredients, we should lean towards foods that can supplement nutrition, adapt to the season, and balance the yin and yang in the body.
Two, Three recommended dishes for the dog days
1. Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup
Nutritional analysis: Lotus root has a sweet and cold nature, but after being cooked, its nature becomes warm and mild, clearing heat and generating fluids. Consuming lotus roots during the dog days can relieve summer heat and benefit the spleen and stomach. Paired with calcium-rich and protein-filled pork ribs, it not only tastes delicious but also enhances physical strength.
Cooking tips: Use fresh lotus root, peel and cut into pieces, then add them into the pot with blanched pork ribs, add an appropriate amount of water, simmer over low heat until the lotus root is soft and the pork ribs are tender, and finally season with salt.
2. Green Bean and Lily Porridge
Nutritional analysis: Green beans have a cold nature and a sweet taste, clearing heat, detoxifying, and relieving summer heat and irritability, making them an excellent choice for relieving summer heat. Lily nourishes the lungs, stops coughing, clears the mind, and calms the spirit, making it very suitable for consumption during the dog days.
Cooking method: Soak the green beans in water for several hours in advance, then add them to the pot with cleaned lily, add enough water, bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat until the green beans bloom and the lily is soft and sticky, and finally add sugar to taste.
3. Bitter Melon and Egg Stir-Fry
Nutritional analysis: Bitter melon, though bitter, is an indispensable vegetable for clearing heat, reducing summer heat, and detoxifying in the summer. Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein, and when paired together, they provide a balanced nutrition and taste delicious.
Cooking technique: Slice the bitter melon, marinate it with salt for a moment to reduce bitterness, squeeze out excess moisture, and reduce bitterness. Beat the eggs and set aside. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry the bitter melon slices quickly until half-cooked, then pour in the egg mixture, stir-fry until the eggs solidify, season with salt, and serve.
Three, Dietary Tips for the dog days
Drink more water, less cold drinks: During the dog days, when sweating a lot, it is important to replenish fluids promptly, but try to avoid drinking large amounts of chilled beverages to avoid damaging the spleen and stomach.
Eat more vegetables and fruits, supplement vitamins: Summer fruits and vegetables are abundant, so it is advisable to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes to replenish the body’s needed water and vitamins.
Exercise moderately, avoid heatstroke: Choose to exercise in the early morning or evening, like walking, jogging, Tai Chi, etc., to avoid intense exercise during high-temperature periods to prevent heatstroke.
Get enough sleep: In the summer, the days are long and nights are short, but it is important to maintain regular sleep patterns to ensure adequate rest, which helps restore energy and strengthen the immune system.
In conclusion, although the dog days are hot, as long as we follow the principle of keeping healthy according to the season, adjust our diet wisely, we can easily cope with the scorching heat and enjoy a pleasant summer. Eating less ribbon fish and grass carp, and consuming more dishes like Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup, Green Bean and Lily Porridge, Bitter Melon and Egg Stir-Fry, which are both nutritious and suitable for the summer, will make your dining table more colorful and your body stronger.
