As temperatures drop, hot pot becomes a popular winter choice for many, but nutritionists warn that while delicious, hot pot also holds potential health concerns. The National Health Administration recently shared four tips for eating hot pot on their Facebook page "Healthy Eating" to help you eat healthily and maintain a good physique.
4 Tips for Eating Hot Pot: Enjoy a Healthy and Guilt-Free Winter Feast! (Photo/From Eat Healthy FB)
Prioritize low-calorie, low-sodium clear broths, such as vegetable broth, kelp broth, or mushroom broth. These broths are made with natural ingredients, avoiding excess oil intake. However, nutritionists advise against excessive consumption of any broth, as it still contains sodium and oil released from ingredients. Moderate consumption is key.
Vegetables fill you up
Putting vegetables in first increases satiety. Vegetables are rich in fiber, which slows down the absorption of other foods, preventing overeating. Furthermore, it's recommended to add vegetables to the pot when it first begins to boil, reducing the absorption of oil released from meat, and avoiding unnecessary calorie intake.
Choose low-fat protein sources for your main dish
Select seafood or chicken as your main dish; these ingredients have relatively lower calorie and fat content. If you prefer beef or pork, choose leaner cuts like loin or tendon meat, and avoid high-fat cuts like marbled meat or belly part to balance flavor and health.
Healthier dipping sauces
Soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and other condiments have high calorie and sodium content. A tablespoon of hoisin sauce contains over 100 calories, equivalent to one-third of a bowl of white rice! It's recommended to use natural ingredients like onions, ginger, garlic, or grated radish as a base, and season with white vinegar, black vinegar, or a small amount of soy sauce. This reduces oil and sodium intake, making your dipping sauces healthier and lighter.
By following these healthy tips, you can enjoy the deliciousness of hot pot while keeping your body warm and healthy without the burden of excess.
