During Tet days, the family meal tray is often densely packed with protein-rich, fatty dishes such as braised meat, spring rolls, banh chung, fried spring rolls. Delicious to eat but also easily bloated and difficult to digest. In that context, lemon juice, if used reasonably in preparation, can become an "assistant" to help meals be lighter while still retaining the traditional flavor.
Use lemon juice to balance the taste and reduce greasyness for traditional dishes
According to nutrition experts, the natural sour taste of lemon helps stimulate saliva and digestive juices, thereby supporting the digestion process of fatty foods. In Tet cuisine, lemon juice is often used to make dipping sauces, mix with salads, salads, or lightly pour on fried and fried dishes to "cut it off".
Some common uses include: mixing lemon and chili fish sauce with fried spring rolls; adding a few drops of lemon juice to vegetable salad; mixing chicken salad, shrimp salad with lemon instead of industrial vinegar. This method not only creates a fresh taste but also helps the dish have a natural aroma.
However, it is necessary to note not to add lemon juice to dishes when cooking at high temperatures for too long, because vitamin C in lemon is easily decomposed. The most suitable time is to season after the dish is finished or before use.
Health benefits are real, but should not be abused
Ms. Frances Largeman-Roth, an American nutritionist, author of many books on healthy eating and a collaborator at Cornell University (USA), said: "Lemon juice helps enhance the flavor of food without adding too much salt or fat. This is an advantage for the heart and digestive system if used in moderation.
According to her, adding lemon juice to dishes can support the absorption of iron from plant foods, and also make meals easier to eat, especially for the elderly. However, she also emphasized that lemon juice is not a "panacea" and should not be misunderstood as a solution to purify or cure diseases.
In clinical practice, many people have a habit of abusing lemon, especially using thick lemon juice or eating too many sour dishes in a short time. This can irritate the stomach lining, exacerbating symptoms of reflux, stomach ulcers - duodenal ulcers, especially during irregular eating days during holidays and Tet.
Doctors recommend that people with a history of stomach pain and digestive disorders should use lemon juice in moderation, avoid it on an empty stomach and do not mix it too sour. Young children should also not eat many sour dishes.
Tet is a time for reunion, enjoying traditional cuisine. Adding lemon juice to dishes, if understood correctly and used correctly, can help Tet meals become more balanced and lighter. The important thing is still to maintain moderation, diversify food and listen to your body - that is how to celebrate Tet healthily and sustainably.
It's a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit.
