What should not be eaten with crab? How to best enjoy crab? Before indulging, join us in learning what foods clash with crab.
Foods to Avoid with Crab
1. Persimmons: Both crab and persimmons are autumn staples, yet they should never be consumed together.Reason: Crab meat is rich in protein, while persimmons contain high levels of tannic acid. These substances react with each other, causing the protein to coagulate into lumps that are difficult for the stomach to digest. Therefore, eating crab followed by persimmons can lead to discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
2. Strong Tea: While tea is beloved in China, the ideal beverage with crab is warm yellow wine. It's best to avoid tea both before and after eating crab.There are two reasons for this:
(1) Crab legs and gills may carry bacteria. Alcohol and vinegar can kill these bacteria, and our stomach acid also has some antibacterial properties. However, drinking tea dilutes the stomach acid, significantly reducing its effectiveness;
(2) Like persimmons, tea also contains tannic acid. Consuming them together can cause gastrointestinal discomfort;
3. Pears: Pears are cooling foods. Eating them with cold-natured crabs damages the spleen and stomach, causing indigestion. Those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold should be especially cautious;
4. Ice water, ice cream: Similarly, crabs are already very cold. Consuming icy foods afterward can lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset;
5. Lamb: Lamb is sweet and warming in nature, while crab is cold. Eating them together not only significantly reduces lamb's warming properties but also harms the spleen and stomach. For those with yang deficiency or spleen deficiency, this can easily lead to spleen and stomach dysfunction, thereby affecting the body's vital energy;
6. Dog meat, loach: The same principle applies as above;
Additionally, crabs should not be consumed with sweet potatoes, pumpkin, honey, oranges, pears, pomegranates, tomatoes, muskmelons, peanuts, snails, celery, rabbit meat, schizonepeta,eggplant. Consuming cold beverages with crab may cause diarrhea. For instance: - Crab and eggplant together harm the digestive system. - Crab and pomegranate together irritate the stomach, causing diarrhea and vomiting. - Crab and sweet potatoes together may form gallstones in the body.
Avoid peanuts after eating crab: Peanuts are sweet and neutral in nature, containing up to 45% fat. Oily foods combined with cold, sharp substances can easily cause diarrhea. Therefore, crab should not be eaten with peanuts, especially by those with weak digestive systems.
Taboos for Eating Crab
First, avoid raw crab: Crab shells, gills, and digestive tracts harbor bacteria and contaminants. Crab must be thoroughly steamed or boiled—typically requiring at least 30 minutes of heating after the water comes to a boil—to achieve proper sterilization.
Second, avoid dead crabs and purchasing dead crabs: Bacteria rapidly multiply within dead crabs, spreading into the meat where they break down amino acids and produce harmful substances. Consuming dead crabs may cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Additionally, avoid purchasing crabs that appear dying.
Third, avoid eating cooked crabs stored for long periods: Cooked crabs stored for extended periods are highly susceptible to bacterial contamination. Therefore, crabs should be cooked and eaten immediately. If leftovers remain, store them in a clean, cool, well-ventilated place (preferably in the refrigerator). Before eating, they must be thoroughly reheated and steamed until fully cooked.
Four: Avoid excessive crab consumption. Crab meat has a cold nature and should not be eaten in large quantities. Those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should be especially cautious to prevent abdominal pain and diarrhea. Generally, one to two crabs are sufficient. After eating crab, it's best to drink a cup of ginger tea to dispel the cold.
Fifth, avoid eating crab when unwell: Those with chronic spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, loose stools, persistent abdominal discomfort, unresolved wind-cold colds, chronic wind-related ailments, or stubborn skin itching should abstain. Women experiencing heavy menstruation, painful periods, or pregnancy should avoid crab, especially crab claws.