Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.
Li Tingting stood in the kitchen, holding a handful of shallots in her hand, and fell into deep thought. She recalled the conversation she had with her husband Zhang Ming last night:
"Honey, tomorrow I want to make fried beef with green onions, your favorite food." Li Tingting said with great interest.
Zhang Ming frowned: "Tingting, have you forgotten?" The doctor said that I had a bad stomach and should eat less green onions. "
"But... Aren't shallots very healthy? I remember when I was a child, my grandmother always said that green onions can be sterilized and disinfected. Li Tingting was a little confused.
"I don't quite understand either." Zhang Ming sighed, "But recently, every time I eat green onions, my stomach is uncomfortable." The doctor said that green onions are 'hair products' and are not good for the stomach. "
Li Tingting put the green onion back on the board and fell into deep thought. She began to recall Zhang Ming's recent situation - frequent stomach pains, indigestion, and even occasional vomiting. As a veteran food blogger, Li Tingting knows the ingredients well, but the concept of "hair things" confuses her. Do green onions really trigger stomach problems? Or is it just superstition? With these doubts in mind, she decided to investigate the issue in depth.
Early the next morning, Li Tingting came to the traditional Chinese medicine hospital in the city center. She wanted to first understand the concept of "hair matter" from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine. In the office, she met Dr. Wang, who was in his sixties.
"Dr. Wang, can you explain to me what a 'hair matter' is?" Li Tingting asked straight to the point.
Dr. Wang pushed his glasses and said with a smile, "Xiao Li, that's a good question. In TCM theory, 'hair' refers to certain foods that 'trigger' or aggravate the symptoms of certain diseases. For example, for people with stomach problems, spicy and irritating foods such as onions, garlic, and leeks may be 'hair products'. "
"Then why do these foods become 'hair products'?" Li Tingting asked.
"This starts with the 'five flavors' theory of traditional Chinese medicine." Dr. Wang patiently explained, "Green onions have a 'pungent' flavor and have the effect of diverging and warming. For patients with insufficient stomach yin or fever, excessive consumption may worsen symptoms. But this does not mean that green onions are harmful to everyone, the key is to treat them differently, which varies from person to person. "
Li Tingting nodded thoughtfully, but she was still a little puzzled: "But I heard that green onions have many health benefits, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory..."
Dr. Wang smiled and said, "You're right, green onions do have many benefits. It contains substances such as allicin and prostaglandin A, which have antibacterial, blood pressure-lowering, and cold-prohibitive effects. The key is to consume it in moderation, especially for people with stomach problems. "
After leaving the hospital, Li Tingting decided to explore this question further. She contacted her college classmate, Dr. Zhao, who now works as a gastroenterologist in a tertiary hospital.
After listening to Li Tingting's question on the phone, Dr. Zhao smiled and said, "Tingting, you asked a very interesting question. From the point of view of modern medicine, we don't use the word 'hair', but it is true that some foods may irritate the gastric lining and aggravate the stomach upset. "
"Do green onions really cause stomach problems?" Li Tingting asked.
"I can't say it's triggered, but it may worsen the symptoms." Dr. Zhao explains, "Green onions contain volatile oils that can irritate the gastric mucosa and increase gastric acid secretion. For patients with gastritis, gastric ulcers, etc., it is true that they should eat less. But for healthy people, it is okay to eat it in moderation, and there are even benefits. "
Li Tingting thought thoughtfully: "In addition to green onions, what other foods should be avoided by people with stomach problems?"
"There are mainly the following categories," Dr. Zhao patiently enumerated,
"1. Spicy and pungent foods: In addition to green onions, garlic, chili peppers, peppers, etc. are also included.
2. Acidic foods: such as citrus fruits, vinegar, etc.
3. Greasy foods: Too much fat can put a strain on the stomach.
4. Coffee and strong tea: These drinks stimulate stomach acid secretion.
5. Alcohol: It can irritate the gastric mucosa and increase gastric acid secretion. "
After listening to Dr. Zhao's explanation, Li Tingting felt a pause. She began to understand why Zhang Ming had been avoiding these foods lately. But as a food lover, she is still a little unwilling to give up these delicacies completely.
"Dr. Zhao, what advice do you have for patients with stomach problems to take care of your stomach without giving up food completely?" Li Tingting asked.
Dr. Zhao laughs, "Actually, the key is balance and moderation. I'll give you a few suggestions:
1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Don't eat too much at once, you can divide three meals into five to six meals.
2. Chew slowly and slowly: Chewing well can reduce the burden on your stomach.
3. Choose foods that are easy to digest: such as steamed vegetables, lean meats, etc.
4. Avoid harsh seasonings: Alternatives to spicy seasonings can be made with vanilla, etc.
5. Pay attention to your diet: It's important to eat regularly and quantitatively. "
Li Tingting has carefully jotted down these suggestions, and has already begun to think about how to apply them to her food blog. She decided to develop a series of "stomach-friendly" recipes that were both delicious and not stomach-friendly.
With her newfound knowledge, Li Tingting returned home. She looked at the ingredients in the kitchen and already had a new menu idea in her head. She decided to cook a special dinner for Zhang Ming tonight, which would take care of his stomach and be delicious at the same time.
She chose steamed chicken breast with poached broccoli as the main course, seasoning it with thyme and rosemary instead of the usual onion and garlic. Mashed potatoes are a staple food that is both easy to digest and neutralizes stomach acid. Finally, she also prepared a bowl of warm pumpkin porridge as a soup, which both nourished and warmed the stomach.
When Zhang Ming came home, he saw the dishes on the table and said in surprise: "Tingting, these dishes look very good, but they don't seem to be the same as what you usually make?"
Li Tingting smiled and explained what she saw and heard today and how she could apply that knowledge to cooking. After Zhang Ming listened, his eyes were full of emotion: "Thank you, dear." I didn't expect you to do so much research for my stomach. "
"It's not just for you," Ms. Li said, "and I think it might help more people." I was thinking that maybe I could start a column on my blog dedicated to some gourmet recipes for people with stomach problems. "
Zhang Ming said excitedly: "That's great! I'm sure there will be a lot of people who will benefit. "
In this way, Li Tingting began her new adventure. Her "Stomach-Friendly Food" column quickly attracted a lot of attention. Not only did she share her recipes, but she also invited Dr. Wong and Dr. Zhao as special guests to answer questions about stomach problems and diet.
Over time, Li Tingting discovered that food and health are not opposites. With reasonable pairing and cooking methods, even stomach patients can enjoy delicious food. Her blog has not only helped Zhang Ming improve his stomach condition, but also brought hope and the joy of food to many people with stomach problems.
One day, Li Tingting received a letter from a reader, which deeply touched her:
"Dear Tingting Blogger,
I'm a long-term stomach problem sufferer, and I've always thought that I could only eat bland and tasteless food. But since reading your column, I've rediscovered my love for food. Your recipes are not only delicious, but more importantly make my stomach feel good. Now, my family and I are back laughing at the dinner table. Thank you for re-realizing that even for the stomach, 'hair' can be tamed. "
After reading the letter, Li Tingting felt a burst of relief. She remembered the thoughts triggered by the handful of shallots in the kitchen, and she didn't expect to start such a wonderful journey. She picked up the handful of shallots again, this time no longer confused, but full of creativity and inspiration.
"Perhaps," she thought, "next time you can try making vanilla oil from the leaves of green onions, which will retain the fragrance of green onions without irritating the stomach ......"
In this way, Li Tingting continues to explore the balance between food and health, bringing the dual enjoyment of deliciousness and health to more people. And the green onion that caused everything has also found a new place in her kitchen, becoming a bridge between tradition and innovation, delicious and healthy.