Temperature remains at some 30 degrees Celsius these days and seeing the advertisements on sunscreen products and swimwear everywhere, we all know the summer has come. The hot weather even affects my appetite. To stimulate my appetite, I tried some hot and spicy food. However, the uncomfortable feeling persists.

I like to enjoy healthy dishes. Last week, my friend and I ordered so-called “healthy dishes with no MSG added”. However, the dishes were actually too salty and I had to drink plenty of water after returning home. How can we find an restaurant providing healthy dishes? To enjoy dishes with less oil, salt and sugar (3 Less Dishes), you are recommended to dine in an EatSmart Restaurant. Yesterday, I enjoyed a 3 Less Dish in a Chinese restaurant. It is a “summer’s special” – thick soup with winter melon and prawn. The thick soup was served together with a whole piece of green lotus leaf at the bottom that giving me a refreshing feeling. Thick soup was prepared by boiling slices of winter melon, tasting like swallow nest, can bring out the fresh and sweet taste of prawn. Another recommended dish is the papaya with assorted mushrooms. It is a dish with more Fruit and Vegetables. The mushrooms (silver ear, cloud ear and wood ear) were cooked and put into the papaya. It’s really a surprising taste! Having simple and light food in summer can make us feel refreshing and comfortable.

To enjoy the choices of healthy, fresh and delicious food, you may dine in an EatSmart Restaurant which can be found at the healthy eating thematic website of the Department of Health (www.eatsmart.gov.hk).