There are various reasons for loss of appetite, including changes in climate, excessive physical and mental labor, emotional fatigue, and damp-heat. Using dietary adjustments to treat loss of appetite is a good method. Below are several remedies that promote digestion and enhance appetite.6 Dietary Remedies to Promote Digestion and Increase Appetite
1. Fig and Tomato Cheese Soup
Ingredients: 600g tomatoes, 200g figs, 200g onions, 30g butter, 100g cheese, 2g black pepper, 3g salt.
Method: Cut the tomatoes, figs, and onions into pieces. In a hot pan, melt the butter and sauté the onions until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and figs along with 400ml of water, and bring to a boil. Blend in a food processor until smooth. Add the cheese and bring to a boil again, seasoning with black pepper and salt.
Effects: This soup has a smooth texture, sweet and rich flavor, enhances appetite, relieves fatigue, promotes digestion, and replenishes essential vitamins. The tomatoes provide a sweet and sour taste, while onions have antibacterial properties.
2. Tomato and Pork Rib Soup
Ingredients: 500g pork ribs, 250g tomatoes, 40g tomato paste.
Method: Blanch the ribs, then add an appropriate amount of boiling water, along with ginger slices, ribs, and cooking wine. Once the ribs are tender, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and salt, and simmer for a while longer.
Effects: Tomatoes are rich in nutrients and have various functions, often referred to as the “miraculous fruit among vegetables.” They are high in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, organic acids, and dietary fiber, which are important nutrients for human metabolism. This soup can promote gastric juice secretion, aid digestion, and adjust gastrointestinal function. With the Spring Festival approaching, frequent gatherings and drinking can burden the stomach, leading to fatigue and irritability.
3. Purple Cabbage and Chicken Soup
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon starch, 1/3 tablespoon chicken powder, salt to taste.
Method: Clean and shred the chicken breast, marinate with half a tablespoon of oil, 1 tablespoon of starch, and a little salt; wash and cut the purple cabbage into strips about 1 cm wide; shred ginger; clean and prepare enoki mushrooms and pea shoots. Boil 5 bowls of water in a wide pot, add 2 tablespoons of oil, then add purple cabbage, enoki mushrooms, and ginger, bringing to a boil for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and pea shoots, cooking for another 2-3 minutes, then season with chicken powder and salt before serving.
Effects: Clears heat and generates fluids, promotes digestion, and enhances the immune system.
4. Dried Tangerine Peel, Atractylodes, and Pork Stomach Soup
Ingredients: Optional: 6g dried tangerine peel (chen pi), 30g Atractylodes (bai zhu), half or one fresh pork stomach, 6g sand ginger, 5 slices of ginger.
Method: First, remove the fat from the pork stomach, blanch it in boiling water to remove the odor, and scrape off the white membrane. Rinse the dried tangerine peel, Atractylodes, sand ginger, and ginger with clean water. Place all ingredients in a soup pot, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 2 hours.
Effects: Strengthens the spleen and opens the appetite. Particularly suitable for those with abdominal bloating, poor appetite, and indigestion.
5. Beijing Ham and Radish Soup
Ingredients: 400g white radish, 75g ham, 10g cooking oil, a little salt, green onion, and ginger.
Method: Clean the radish and cut it into large pieces; soak the Beijing ham in clean water for half an hour, then slice it; shred the ginger and chop the green onion. In a pot, heat the cooking oil, sauté the green onion and ginger, add the ham slices, and an appropriate amount of water; once boiling, add the radish pieces and cook until soft, then season with salt.
Effects: Nourishes the stomach, generates fluids, benefits the kidneys, strengthens yang, promotes digestion, enhances appetite, and alleviates cough and phlegm.
6. Cabbage and Tofu Soup
Ingredients: 2000g cabbage hearts, one block of frozen tofu, 100g each of red and green bell peppers, concentrated cucumber juice, salt, and chicken essence to taste.
Method: Cut the cabbage hearts and red bell peppers into thin strips about 4 cm long. Marinate the cabbage and red bell pepper strips, and frozen tofu with fine salt for 20 minutes, drain the brine, and add MSG and cucumber juice. When the water in the pot boils, add the above ingredients, season with salt and chicken essence.
Effects: Promotes intestinal peristalsis, aids digestion, prevents constipation, facilitates bowel movements, dilutes intestinal toxins, treats constipation, and aids nutrient absorption.