People in Guangdong love to drink soup. Many people like to have a bowl of soup before meals, feeling that it makes their stomach feel comfortable. There is a saying that goes, "Drinking soup before meals is better than medicine." It is believed that drinking a bowl of soup before meals can moisturize the stomach and act as a "bottom layer", making it difficult to eat too much food, leading to a slimmer and healthier body. However, some people believe that drinking a large bowl of soup before meals can dilute the stomach acid and may affect digestion, so they think it is better to drink soup after meals for better digestion.
Do you usually drink soup before or after meals? Why? Is there really a difference?
【Is it healthier to drink soup before or after meals?】
This Spring Festival, there are quite a few friends from the northern regions who came to Guangzhou to celebrate. It is said that "the food in Guangzhou is delicious", and the cuisine in Guangzhou is well-known. Mr. Li, one of the visitors, noticed that whether he was dining at a friend's house or going out to eat, soup was usually served as the first course. The taste of the hot soup was indeed good, but there was one thing he was not used to: why do you always drink soup before the meal? After drinking a large bowl of soup, he already felt half full, and when other delicious dishes were served, he already had no appetite left. Sometimes, he could only satisfy his "cravings" with his eyes.
Why do you have to drink soup before meals? Guangzhou friends say that this is more reasonable and healthier. Drinking soup before meals can moisturize the stomach and act as a "bottom layer", making it difficult to eat too much food, resulting in a feeling of being full faster and therefore eating less in the long run.
Mr. Li usually drinks soup after meals at home, and it seems that many people from the northern regions also do the same. He feels that there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it. Moreover, drinking a large bowl of soup before meals can dilute the stomach acid, which may affect digestion. Maybe it is more reasonable to drink soup after meals?
【Expert】--Different approaches for different people, no need to generalize
"No banquet is complete without soup," especially for people in Guangdong, who often cook and drink soup. But should soup be consumed before or after meals?
Professor Liu Fengbin, director of the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, explained that Guangzhou is located in the south, where the weather is hot and people easily sweat and become thirsty. Drinking a small bowl or half a bowl of soup before meals can replenish water and moisten the digestive tract, making it easier to swallow food. On cold days, drinking a small bowl of hot soup before meals can quickly warm up the stomach and body.
Therefore, many "old Cantonese" like to drink soup before meals. However, drinking too much soup before meals can take up a lot of stomach capacity, especially for those who are thirsty and may unconsciously drink a few more sips, causing a feeling of fullness without having to eat too much food.
Some people feel hungry after drinking soup, and that's why they prefer to eat the main course first and then drink a small bowl of soup at the end. This is especially true in cold regions where the body consumes more energy and needs sufficient energy reserves. Eating the main course first and then drinking soup can make people feel more satisfied and withstand hunger and cold.
【Recommendations】--Drink soup before meals if you're overweight, drink soup after meals if you're thin
However, with the improvement of living standards and the abundance of food varieties, many people cannot control their appetite and tend to consume too much food during meals, resulting in long-term excessive nutrition intake and even obesity and other diseases.
"Therefore, for some special groups of people, how to drink soup does matter," said Professor Liu Fengbin. For example, overweight individuals who have a hard time controlling their appetite tend to eat too much and consume excessive energy without sufficient physical activity. He suggests that these people should drink a bowl of soup before meals to "prepare the stomach". When they no longer feel hungry, they will naturally eat less.
On the other hand, if someone usually eats the main course first and then drinks soup to satisfy their hunger, their stomach may become too full over time, leading to an increased appetite. Therefore, for overweight individuals who like to drink soup, it is recommended to drink soup before meals, preferably less fatty "long-boiled soup," and more light vegetable broth, which can be more helpful in controlling weight in the long run.
For thin people, the opposite is true. Professor Liu Fengbin suggests that those who want to gain weight can often drink soup after meals. This can slightly fill up the stomach a bit more than usual and slightly increase the appetite, which is more conducive to weight gain. However, there should still be some moderation, as an overly full stomach can lead to an even larger appetite and excessive weight gain.
In addition, people who have poor digestion and are prone to stomach bloating and insufficient stomach acid should not drink soup before meals, as it may dilute the stomach acid and hinder digestion and absorption.
【Reminder】--The choice of soup varies depending on the individual and the situation
"Chinese medicine emphasizes differentiation, and the choice of soup varies from person to person," said Professor Liu Fengbin. In addition to the specific recommendations for overweight and thin individuals, certain groups of people with underlying conditions should also pay attention to their soup choices.
For example, individuals with high blood pressure should not consume more than 6 grams of salt per day, so they should try to drink less flavorful and salty "long-boiled soup," as this type of soup often contains a lot of oil and salt. Similarly, individuals with high uric acid or gout should drink less "long-boiled soup" with high purine content, especially those made with seafood, meat, mushrooms, and other ingredients that have been simmered for a long time.
People with "stomach problems" should avoid soups with tofu, as tofu has a cooling nature and is difficult to digest when consumed in large quantities. It is best to choose soup ingredients based on individual physical characteristics. For example, for individuals with a hot constitution, it is more appropriate to drink soups with ingredients like five-finger peaches, which have a cooling and dampness-removing effect. For individuals with a cold constitution, it is advisable to choose ingredients like sand ginger, tangerine peel, or pepper and ginger to make soup.
In addition to individual differences, Chinese medicine also emphasizes the choice of soup ingredients based on the changing seasons. It is currently spring, a time when Yang energy rises and dampness is prevalent. People often feel tired, have poor appetite, and eat less. Professor Liu Fengbin suggests making fish or lean meat soup with ingredients like sand ginger, huo xiang, perilla leaves, mint, and tangerine peel. These ingredients have aromatic properties, can remove dampness, regulate Qi, soothe the liver, and refresh the mind.
【Recommended soups for different seasons】
1. Fish Head and Tofu Soup
Fish head 500g, tofu 250g, coriander 30g, perilla leaves 15g. Boil the soup. Suitable for regular consumption.
2. Pork Stomach and Pepper Soup
Pork stomach 1 piece, pepper 10g, ginger 30g, sand ginger 6g. Boil the soup. Suitable for individuals with a weak spleen and stomach.
3. Five-Finger Peach and Pork Rib Soup
Pork ribs 300g, ginger 20g, five-finger peaches 100g, winter melon 250g, coix seed 50g. Suitable for individuals with a deficiency of Qi and dampness-heat constitution.
4. Lamb and Chinese Yam Soup
Lamb 400g, Chinese yam 100g, Chinese angelica 20g, Codonopsis pilosula 30g, ginger 50g, Polygonatum sibiricum 20g, goji berries 15g. Suitable for individuals with a deficiency of Qi and blood.
5. Pork Liver and Goji Berry Soup
Pork liver slices 200g, ginger 30g, goji leaves 150g, tangerine peel 5g. Suitable for regular consumption in spring.
