Traditional Chinese medicine believes that children have lower immune function and weaker spleen and stomach function, making them more susceptible to varying degrees of damage when overeating cold and raw food or exposed to cold air. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, pale complexion, thinness, diarrhea, and loose stools may occur. Therefore, dietary adjustments should be light and tasty, with attention to a balanced diet. Below are two recommended dietary therapies to strengthen the spleen and stomach.
Stomach-Boosting Foods
1. Moderate Milk Consumption
Milk has a sweet taste and a slightly cold nature. It contains rich protein and calcium. The abundant protein in milk can effectively relieve fatigue; lactose in milk can promote the absorption of calcium and iron in the body, enhance intestinal peristalsis, and promote bowel movements; milk can also prevent the absorption of toxic metals such as lead and cadmium in food, eliminate harmful substances in the body, and enhance immunity.
2. Spinach for Liver and Blood Health
Spinach is a seasonal vegetable in spring. It has the effects of nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness, soothing the liver, and nourishing the blood. It often has good therapeutic effects on liver discomfort and concomitant stomach diseases. Experts say that this type of vegetable belongs to alkaline foods because it contains sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Other vegetables such as carrots, winter melon, tomatoes, green peppers, and celery are also beneficial for restoring energy.
3. Grapefruit for Spleen and Stomach Health
Medical professionals extract natural pectin from grapefruit, which can interfere with the absorption of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein in the small intestine. Grapefruit also contains insulin-like components that can lower blood sugar. Other fruits such as strawberries, apples, and grapes also have good detoxification effects.
Recommended Recipes
1. Tangerine Peel Congee
20 grams of tangerine peel (double for fresh ones) and 100 grams of rice. Steep the tangerine peel in water to extract the juice, and then cook the rice into a porridge. Consume it in the morning and evening. This congee is suitable for people with bloating in the stomach, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and cough with excessive phlegm.
2. Black Rice Congee
15 grams of black rice and 50 grams of rice. Cook the black rice and rice together into a porridge. Black rice has a neutral nature, a sweet taste, and contains 15 amino acids and various vitamins. It can nourish the liver and spleen, nourish the stomach, and nourish the kidneys. It is an excellent grain for nourishing in the spring. This congee is suitable for people with liver and kidney deficiency.
3. Fermented Rice Congee
15 grams of fermented rice, 15 grams of germinated barley, 10 grams of dried hawthorn, and 100 grams of rice. Grind the fermented rice into juice, then cook the rice with the juice into a porridge. Consume it in the morning and evening. It has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach and promoting digestion. It is suitable for people who have difficulty digesting due to overeating during the Spring Festival, as well as those with bloating, abdominal discomfort, and loose stools.
