Water Chestnut, Malt, and Corn Soup

Why people make this soup

When a child suddenly loses interest in eating, holds food in their mouth for a long time without swallowing, develops noticeably bad breath, or goes through bouts of both bloating and irregular bowel movements, traditional Chinese food-therapy often attributes this to “food accumulation” — a state where the spleen and stomach struggle to process what the child has eaten. Excessive sweet or greasy foods, insufficient chewing, and teething (which changes how much saliva a child produces) can all contribute. This simple, pleasant-tasting soup uses two classic digestive herbs — rice sprouts and barley malt — alongside water chestnuts and corn to gently support the digestive system without being harsh on a small child’s stomach.