Who should not eat Qingtuan?

Generally speaking, as a traditional festival food, qingtuan (green rice balls) are not suitable for everyone. Those who should avoid or limit consumption include individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, poor digestion, diabetes, allergic constitutions, and pregnant women. The specific reasons are as follows:

1. Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold: Qingtuan are primarily made from Artemisia (mugwort) and glutinous rice. Mugwort is cooling in nature, while glutinous rice is sticky and difficult to digest. Consuming qingtuan may increase internal coldness in those with weak digestive systems, potentially leading to discomfort such as cold abdominal pain, diarrhea, and cold limbs, thereby impairing gastrointestinal stability.

2. Individuals with weak digestion: Glutinous rice is sticky in texture and relatively high in dietary fiber. People with impaired digestive function often have slower gastrointestinal motility, making it difficult to digest and absorb qingtuan. This can lead to bloating, belching, and food stagnation. Extra caution is advised for elderly individuals and young children.

3. Diabetic patients: Sweet fillings such as sugar, red bean paste, and sesame are commonly added during preparation, resulting in high sugar content. Consumption can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose levels, increasing the burden on blood sugar control and negatively affecting disease management.

4. Individuals with allergic tendencies: Some people may be allergic to volatile oils in mugwort or proteins in glutinous rice. Symptoms after consumption may include skin itching, rashes, sore throat, or swelling. Such individuals should strictly avoid eating qingtuan.

5. Pregnant women: Due to the cooling nature of mugwort and the sticky, hard-to-digest quality of glutinous rice, excessive consumption may irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Given the unique physiological state during pregnancy, this could potentially affect health due to its cold nature. Therefore, pregnant women should consume qingtuan cautiously or avoid them altogether.

Before eating qingtuan, they should be thoroughly reheated to aid digestion. Avoid consuming on an empty stomach. Pairing them with warming ingredients such as ginger or dried tangerine peel can help neutralize their cooling properties. Intake should be moderate according to individual constitution to prevent adverse effects, and a balanced diet should be maintained.