Malaysia, being a tropical rainforest country, experiences hot and humid weather. Many people enjoy consuming cold foods to combat the heat, while also indulging in spicy, fried, greasy, and sugary foods. Overconsumption of these foods can burden the digestive system, leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, loss of appetite, and even diarrhea. These are signs that the digestive system has been damaged.
As the saying goes, “Stomach issues rely 30% on treatment and 70% on recuperate.” When the digestive system is impaired, maintaining a proper diet is more important than seeking treatment. For example, regularly eating stomach-nourishing foods and avoiding raw, cold, and overly spicy or stimulating foods can help the digestive system recover gradually.
What Foods Are Good for Nourishing the Stomach?
1. Porridge
When it comes to nourishing the stomach, porridge is undoubtedly a great choice as it is very easy to digest and absorb. Since ancient times, people have recognized the health benefits of drinking porridge. Starting the day with a bowl of hot porridge on an empty stomach can nourish the stomach without overburdening the digestive system.
Eight-Treasure Porridge is especially suitable for those needing stomach care. It contains ingredients like peanuts, almonds, and sugar, which are high in calories and provide excellent protection for the stomach. Fresh peanuts are rich in protein and fats that effectively protect the digestive system.
2. Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita)
Chinese yam contains various nutrients, including amylase, which helps strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach, aiding digestion. Its unique mucin content can coat and protect the stomach lining, providing relief for those with stomach pain. Poor dietary habits, such as overeating cold foods, can easily upset the digestive system, but eating Chinese yam can help alleviate discomfort. As a starchy root vegetable, Chinese yam is best consumed steamed or boiled. It’s advisable to avoid deep-frying or stir-frying, as these methods can reduce its stomach-nourishing benefits.
3. Millet
Millet, also known as proso millet, is considered neutral in nature and sweet in flavor according to traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike refined rice, millet retains more nutrients due to minimal processing. It has properties that strengthen the spleen and stomach, relieve thirst, and nourish the kidneys while clearing heat. Millet porridge is an excellent dietary choice for those with weak spleen and stomach function, poor appetite, postpartum weakness, elderly frailty, or depleted vitality. It is particularly effective in strengthening the spleen and stimulating appetite.
When cooked into porridge, millet produces a layer of thick residue known as “porridge oil,” which is highly nutritious and provides excellent stomach-nourishing benefits. It is especially suitable for individuals suffering from chronic gastritis or gastric ulcers.
4. Pumpkin
In traditional Chinese medicine, pumpkin is considered warm in nature and sweet in flavor. It enters the spleen and stomach meridians, offering anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and pain-relieving properties. Its rich pectin content helps absorb and eliminate toxins like lead while providing a protective coating for the stomach lining, reducing the risk of ulcers. Pumpkin can be cooked into porridge or soups to nourish the digestive system.
5. Apple
Apples are sweet, slightly cooling, and beneficial for the spleen and stomach. They help nourish stomach fluids, relieve dryness, and are ideal for those with a weak spleen, stomach deficiencies, or stomach pain due to yin deficiency. Cooked apples are particularly effective for nourishing the stomach and relieving diarrhea. While some vitamins may be lost during cooking, most of the nutrients remain intact. Cooked pectin becomes easier to absorb, making it effective for detoxifying harmful substances in the body.
6. Hawthorn
Hawthorn is warm in nature, slightly sweet, and has a soft texture. It is rich in both nutritional and medicinal value. Its tangy flavor stimulates gastric acid secretion, enhancing appetite, aiding digestion, and relieving bloating. Hawthorn is especially effective for resolving food stagnation caused by consuming excessive meat, making it an excellent stomach-nourishing and digestion-promoting food.
7. Pig Stomach
Pig stomach is an excellent food for nourishing and strengthening the spleen and stomach. Traditionally regarded as a “remedy” in Chinese cuisine, it is often used in medicinal dishes. Pig stomach helps to replenish deficiencies and improve spleen and stomach function, offering a warming and nourishing effect. It is often prepared as a soup, such as pepper pig stomach soup, which can alleviate symptoms of spleen and stomach coldness. Additionally, it aids digestion, stimulates appetite, and provides relief from mild diarrhea and abdominal pain.
8. Carrots
Carrots are a beneficial food for the spleen and stomach because they are rich in dietary fiber. Dietary fiber promotes digestion, alleviates bloating, enhances intestinal movement, and protects the stomach lining. Carrots also contain abundant nutrients such as vitamin C, carbohydrates, starch, pectin, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, iron, inorganic salts, and amino acids. Consuming carrots effectively supplements the nutrients needed by the body, strengthens immunity, enhances resistance to illness, and improves blood quality.
Note: While the foods mentioned above are effective in promoting stomach health, it is important to avoid overeating them in a single meal, as this may lead to indigestion, belching, or bloating. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult a medical professional or seek immediate medical attention to avoid delays in treatment.
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简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified)) 
Melayu (Malay)
