Guava, Corn, Carrot & Chicken Breast Soup

Why people make this soup

Guava has a mild flavour and plenty of seeds, but it is rich in vitamins and nutrients. It is associated with supporting steady blood sugar and the eyes. Paired with corn and carrot, this soup is traditionally taken to support a youthful complexion, healthy aging, the eyes and overall vitality. Bro Niu cooks it here with skinned, trimmed organic chicken breast — a nice choice for older adults, those with weakening eyesight, and people watching the “three highs.”

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Older adults, those with weakening vision, and people watching the “three highs.”
• A balanced family soup; no special caution noted in the source. (Bro Niu notes that lean white meat is generally a healthier everyday choice than red meat for older adults and those watching the “three highs.”)

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Guava (ba le): Rich in vitamins; associated with supporting steady blood sugar and the eyes.
• Corn (su mi): Adds natural sweetness and is a gentle everyday staple.
• Carrot (gan sun): Traditionally valued for the eyes and complexion.
• Chicken breast (ji xiong rou): Lean white meat for a light, non-greasy soup; fresh fish can be used instead.

Ingredients (4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Guava	2 fruits	Rinse with skin on, cut into chunks
Yellow / fruit corn	2 cobs	Husked, cut into pieces
Carrot	1	Peeled, cut into chunks
Organic chicken breast	1 piece	Rinsed, blanched

Method

1. Rinse the guava with the skin on and cut into chunks.
2. Husk the corn and cut into pieces; peel the carrot and cut into chunks.
3. Rinse and blanch the chicken breast.
4. Add everything to 8 bowls of water and simmer 1 hour until reduced to 4 bowls. Eat the soup and the contents together.

Bro Niu’s tips

This soup is clear and naturally sweet, suitable for the whole family. For older adults and those watching the “three highs,” lean white meat is generally a healthier everyday choice than red meat — you can also use fresh fish in place of the chicken breast.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Lui): My mother is 72 with diabetic eye disease and macular issues at the back of the eye. Is there a food remedy that can reverse it? Bro Niu: Macular issues at the back of the eye must be seen by a doctor. As support, 4 qian jin chan hua, 3 qian rui ren rou and 3 qian goji berries in a carrot-and-lean-pork soup is traditionally used for declining vision, twice a week.

• Q (YIYI): My 17-year-old daughter has had sweaty palms and cold hands and feet since childhood — even in summer her hands feel like ice. Is there a soup for sweating that leads to cold hands and feet? Bro Niu: Try 5 qian astragalus (bei qi), 1 tael floating wheet (fu xiao mai) and 8 red jujubes in 7 bowls of water reduced to 4; the two of you can share it over a day, 3 times a week — it supports the spleen, builds qi and helps with sweating.

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Published March 24, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.