The solar term known as Lidong traditionally marks the arrival of winter. In traditional Chinese medicine, winter is the best time to nourish the stomach, which is vulnerable to sickness when the temperature drops.

　　节气立冬正式标志着冬季的到来。冬季是一年中气温最低的时候，肠胃很容易受到病菌的侵扰。从传统中医学来讲，冬季是一年中最适合养胃的季节。

　　Tummy-friendly recipes vary according to regions. Hangzhou locals prefer homemade dishes with common ingredients to nourish the stomach during winter. Today, Shanghai Daily looks at some of these delicious, fortifying foods.

　　在中国，各个地区所提倡的养胃食物也不尽相同。杭州当地的人们更习惯用一些普通食材来做家常菜，以此养胃补身。今天，《上海日报》将带领大家一起走近那些美味且营养丰富的养生食物。

　　Lamb and mutton, traditionally considered "hot" food, is a popular winter delicacy. Sheep meat is particularly popular because of its fresh smell.

　　作为偏温性食物，羊肉往往成为人们冬天的首选菜品。绵羊肉更是凭借其鲜美的口感受到众多消费者的追捧。

　　Mutton from the Xinjiang Uygur Antonymous Region and Inner Mongolia Antonymous Region are also favorites in local markets. In addition, Wuzhen Town in northern Zhejiang Province also produces delicious mutton. The local sheep are fed chiefly on straw, fresh mulberry leaves and grasses, which in turn makes the meat tender and gives it a pleasing aroma.

　　此外，新疆地区和内蒙古地区的羊肉也颇受大家欢迎。浙江省北部的乌镇也出产美味羊肉。当地绵羊以饲草、鲜桑叶以及青草为食，所生产出来的羊肉也是肉质鲜美，有着一股别样的清香。

　　Seasonings and recipes are used sparingly because as long as the meat is good, the dish is good. Cooks just boil it and only add salt. There is no need for any other seasoning. This method of preparation also retains most of mutton’s nutrients.

　　只要生产出来的肉肉质过关，制作出来的菜品也定会味道可口，调味品和菜谱都只是点缀。厨师只需要稍微将肉煮熟，再加少量盐即可，甚至都不需要任何其他调料。这样一来，羊肉大部分的营养物质也不会流失。

　　In local home cooking, radish is an ideal partner for mutton. Its mild taste helps remove grease and adds refreshing flavor to mutton soup.

　　人们在家中一般都拿萝卜配羊肉，萝卜清脆的口感可以祛除羊肉汤中少量油腻，二者搭配起来更加细腻爽口。

　　An old saying exhorts people to "eat radish in winter and savor ginger in summer." Ginger helps to replenish energy, since sweating saps strength. Radishes help to stimulate digestion in winter. It is dubbed "fair-price ginseng" by virtue of such nutritious value and low price. Also, TCM recommends that people use radish to remove inner toxins since it is considered a natural tonic with detoxifying properties.

　　中国有句俗语叫“冬吃萝卜夏吃姜”。由于夏天天气热爱出汗，人们消耗的能量会大大增加，吃姜一定程度上有助于帮助人们恢复元气。冬季吃萝卜有助于促进消化，并凭借其超高的营养价值和划算的购买价格被人们称为“平价人参”。同时，中医上还说萝卜还具备排毒功效，有助于帮助人们排除体内毒素，是一种天然的滋补食品。

（编辑：何莹莹）