Gastric disorders are closely linked to diet, so whether preventing or managing stomach ailments, dietary care is essential. Here, we outline dietary principles and recommended foods for gastric conditions. Let's explore them together.
What Foods Benefit Gastric Disorders?
Milk: Sweet and neutral in nature, it enters the lung and stomach meridians. It nourishes the lungs and stomach, generates fluids, and moistens the large intestine.Suitable for yin deficiency stomach pain and fluid deficiency constipation; modernly used to treat peptic ulcers and chronic constipation. Avoid if experiencing diarrhea, spleen deficiency, or dampness syndromes.
Porridge: Easily digestible, especially eight-treasure porridge containing peanuts, almonds, and sugar, which offers higher calories and richer nutrition beneficial for the stomach. Fresh peanuts are rich in protein and fats, effectively protecting the stomach.Three principles for selecting stomach-nourishing breakfast foods: easy digestion, minimal irritation, and high nutrition. Examples include: egg custard, egg drop soup, boiled eggs, soybeans, soy products, vegetables, and fruits. Soups: The top choice for stomach nourishment isn't porridge, but soup—and not meat broth. Meat broth contains more acidity; vegetable broth is preferable. Add ingredients like spinach, vermicelli, and eggs.Add a little chicken bouillon for flavor.
Staple foods: Noodles are the most stomach-friendly. Rice contains more acid, so limit rice consumption. If making congee, add a small amount of baking soda for stomach health. Biscuits are another option.
Here are several stomach-nourishing recipes:
1. Fried Ginger and Atractylodes Congee
Ingredients: 6g fried ginger, 15g atractylodes,glutinous rice 30g, a pinch each of Sichuan pepper and star anise.
Method: Wrap the four herbs in cheesecloth. Simmer for 20 minutes, then add glutinous rice. Cook until porridge is done. Remove herb bag and consume. Take one serving daily.
Benefits: This porridge warms the middle burner and strengthens the spleen. Suitable for loose stools, abdominal distension, and limb weakness caused by spleen-stomach deficiency-cold.
2. Red Date, Euryale Seed, and Glutinous Rice Porridge
Ingredients: 100g glutinous rice, 30g euryale seeds, 6 red dates.
Method: Pit and dice the red dates. Place them in a pot with the washed glutinous rice and euryale seeds. Add sufficient water and cook into porridge.Once cooked, season with sugar or salt to taste before serving.
Benefits: Red dates replenish qi and nourish blood, while water chestnuts strengthen the kidneys and spleen. Combined with glutinous rice in porridge, this dish nourishes qi and blood, fortifies the spleen and stomach, enhances physical constitution, and promotes beauty. Suitable for all ages, it is especially beneficial for children, the elderly, and those with weakened constitutions.
3. Chinese Yam, Chicken Gizzard, and Eel Soup
Ingredients: 30g Chinese yam, 10g chicken gizzard (available at Chinese herbal shops), 300g eel, 3 slices ginger.
Method: Briefly soak herbs. Clean and gut eel, scrub with hot water or salt, then rinse thoroughly. Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry ginger until fragrant. Add eel and stir-fry briefly, then splash with a small amount of rice wine. Transfer all ingredients to an earthenware pot. Add 2000ml water (about 8 bowls) and ginger. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Season with salt before serving.Serves 2-3 people.
Benefits: This soup combines Chinese yam (which strengthens the spleen and stomach, nourishes lung qi, benefits kidney essence, and fortifies the body) with chicken gizzard (which aids digestion and prevents semen leakage) with eel. It has the effects of boosting qi, nourishing blood, strengthening the spleen, and harmonizing the stomach. It is an excellent summer health tonic, particularly suitable for the elderly and children.