Two principles for hot spring bathing and eating good food to prevent obesity

"Bathing in hot springs" to fight the winter cold is a popular activity for all people. Many businesses also provide delicious after-bath meals. However, nutritionists remind that bathing in hot springs will speed up blood circulation throughout the body and also speed up digestion and absorption. If you are not careful, you may consume too many calories. To prevent obesity, you should carefully choose the "time of eating" and "way of ordering".

Bathing in hot springs will speed up blood circulation throughout the body and also speed up digestion and absorption. It is best to eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat and processed foods after taking hot spring baths. (Photography by Huang Zhiwen)

Zhang Silan, a nutritionist at Neihu Cathay Clinic, pointed out that bathing in hot springs will cause the body to produce heat, just like after exercise. The blood circulation and metabolism rate will become faster, so the digestion and absorption of food will also be better. Even if you eat the same amount as a normal meal, you will get more calories.

In addition, some people believe that hot spring bathing can help with weight loss. In fact, it only dehydrates you, but existing fat will not be eliminated. If you mistakenly believe that a little weight loss is fat loss, and do not make the right choice of diet after taking the hot spring bath, you may easily eat too much and gain weight.

What should you eat after taking a hot spring bath so as not to add burden to your body? Nutritionist Zhang Silan recommends two principles:

• Choose the time to eat carefully

  1. Wait at least half an hour after taking a hot spring bath to allow the body's blood circulation to return to normal before eating. Do not eat when the absorption state is the best.

  2. Don't go to the hot spring at mealtimes. Fixed amounts of food are most beneficial to the body's metabolism. If you allow yourself to be very hungry, you are prone to overeating. It is best to go to the hot spring between meals.

Bathing in hot springs is a popular winter sport. Many operators also provide delicious after-bath meals. To prevent obesity, you should be careful when eating and how you order. (Photography by Huang Zhiwen)

• Choose your food carefully

  1. Focus on natural ingredients and reduce processed foods, as processed foods are higher in calories.

  2. If you choose a hot pot, the best soup base should be a clear soup mainly made of vegetables and mushrooms, because a stronger-tasting soup base will stimulate appetite and make people eat more, and it also contains more fat; for sauces, avoid using high-calorie shacha sauce.

  3. If you choose a simple meal, and the main dish is mainly meat, it is best to choose a non-fried cooking method, for example, braised chicken legs are better than fried chicken legs.

  4. When eating, start with ingredients with lower calories, such as vegetables first, which can increase your sense of fullness without taking in too many calories.