What should be avoided when drinking soup in autumn? Avoid nourishing soups when you have a cold, and even mild ginseng should be avoided, as these rich broths can worsen cold symptoms.So what are the considerations for autumn soups?
Autumn Soup Considerations
Before menstruation, opt for mildly warming soups to avoid excessive blood loss from over-tonifying. Medicinal soups require regular consumption to be effective—aim for 2–3 servings weekly.
Common Soup Misconceptions
Drinking only the broth and discarding the meat: Wrong! Many believe all nutrients concentrate in the broth, so they only drink the liquid and ignore the meat or herbs. This is a major mistake. Nutritionists have discovered that no matter how long soup simmers, meat nutrients don't fully dissolve into the broth. Always eat a reasonable amount of meat after drinking the soup.Additionally, the taste of Chinese herbs can be peculiar and off-putting, leading many to disregard them. However, some herbs are costly and nutrient-rich, so they should be consumed.
Longer is better for ginseng soup: Wrong! Elderly people often add ginseng early in the cooking process, simmering it for 2-3 hours, believing this fully extracts its nutrients into the broth.In reality, ginseng contains ginsenosides. Prolonged boiling breaks down these compounds, diminishing their nutritional value. The optimal simmering time for ginseng soup is approximately 40 minutes.
Drinking soup for wellness involves many nuances
Anyone can drink soup, but do you know whether it should be consumed before or after a meal?This is actually quite specific!
The old saying goes, "Drinking soup before a meal is better than any medicine," and there's considerable wisdom in this.
During meals, food travels through the mouth, throat, esophagus, and finally into the stomach—like passing through a passageway. Taking a few sips of soup before eating is like adding lubricant to this passageway, helping food slide down smoothly and preventing dry, hard foods from irritating the digestive tract lining.During the meal, sipping soup intermittently also helps dilute and mix the food, aiding digestion and absorption in the stomach and intestines. If you skip soup before eating and avoid drinking liquids during the meal, the large secretion of gastric juices afterward can cause excessive fluid loss and thirst. Drinking water at this point dilutes the gastric juices, impairing food absorption and digestion.
Nutritionists therefore recommend developing the habit of sipping soup or liquids throughout meals to reduce the risk of esophagitis, gastritis, and similar conditions. Research also indicates that individuals who regularly consume soups, milk, and soy milk tend to maintain healthier digestive tracts.
Of course, drinking soup before meals doesn't mean more is better. Generally, half a bowl of soup before lunch or dinner is appropriate, while breakfast may allow slightly more, as the body loses considerable fluids overnight. The optimal time to drink soup is about 20 minutes before eating. Sipping small amounts slowly during the meal is also acceptable, but avoid gulping it down.