A must-read for hot pot lovers: 5 principles to enjoy hot pot without gaining weight — “Drink unsweetened soy milk before meals”

▲ Spicy hot pot and regular hot pot are among the favorite foods of many in winter. (Photo/ Illustration / Photo by reporter Li Ziyi)

Reported by Hua Shaofu / Taipei

Many people love to enjoy a steaming hot pot or spicy hot pot with friends in winter, savoring the little joys unique to the season. But many also worry about gaining weight. So, how can you enjoy hot pot while maintaining a great figure or at least avoid putting on pounds? Aside from exercise, your way of eating hot pot plays a big role. Here are 5 tips to enjoy hot pot without getting fat.

▲ Lose weight with unsweetened soy milk — best consumed half an hour before meals. (Photo/ Provided by UHO Health Network)

1. Have a cup of unsweetened soy milk before dining out
Before eating hot pot, start with a cup of unsweetened soy milk to increase satiety. It can also prevent you from eating too quickly when you're starving, aiding digestion and helping you avoid overeating!

2. Order of eating
Whether you gain weight from hot pot has a lot to do with the order in which you eat. It’s recommended to start with clear broth, then eat plenty of vegetables, followed by seafood, and finally dig into the meat. This sequence is most helpful for digestion!

▲ What kind of hot pot ingredients you eat first is actually a science. (Photo/ Illustration / Photo by reporter Li Ziyi)

3. Choice of ingredients
Basically, just stick to one key principle: “White meat is less likely to cause weight gain than red meat”! That means chicken, duck, goose, fish, and seafood are healthier choices compared to pork, beef, and lamb. Also, avoid nutritionally poor ingredients like meatballs or deep-fried dough sticks soaked in spicy oil!

4. The secret of hot pot dipping sauces
Many people have their favorite dipping sauces when eating hot pot, and hot pot restaurants usually offer a variety. In fact, the most common sauces like satay sauce, spicy sauce, and pickled vegetables are high in calories. It’s better to use toppings like scallions, ginger, garlic, cilantro, and mashed radish instead — they’re more refreshing and less greasy.

▲ The dipping sauces for spicy hot pot and regular hot pot are also key to whether you’ll gain weight. (Photo/ Screenshot from 《Drawer》)

5. Exercise more
Do an hour of cardio before or after eating hot pot to help burn fat. If you have to indulge, consider this as a way to make up for it!

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