(Beijing Weekend)
Updated: 2007-12-13 10:43

asparagus and mushrooms

HuiAi Restaurant  is the first restaurant in Beijing dedicated to the nutrition needs of expecting moms. The restaurant is located very close to Beijing Maternity Hospital, making it a convenient choice for pregnant women to come for lunch after appointments.

Situated on the second floor of an apartment building, the restaurant is quiet, clean, and beautifully decorated with violet colored lamps and sofas. The catch is the food. Gu Kuiqin, retired professor of nutrition with a prestigious hospital in Beijing, designed three nutritious menus, for women in the early, middle, and late phases of pregnancy. He designed another three menus catering for other diners.

According to the professor, every year there are 77,958 new babies born in Beijing. She thinks most moms are not adequately informed about what proper meals they should take during and after pregnancy. "Pregnant women face appetite problems in the first phase of pregnancy, and malnutrition later on," revealed Gu. "I've designed the menus according to different conditions in the three phases of pregnancy, the emphasis of which are improving appetite, replenishing nutrition and preventing health problems."

For example, fresh lemon juice, and scallop and turnip congee are both designed to alleviate vomiting, common during early pregnancy. Fish chops prepared with fruit juice is designed to improve appetite and replenish protein.

meat and vegetable soup

In the middle phase menu for pregnancy, there is fish head and bean curd soup, a good source of calcium, protein and unsaturated fatty acid. Chicken wing with longan is prepared to replenish blood and energy.

In the third phase menu, there is pork heart soup to help with sleep, and braised chicken with chestnut kernel to replenish energy in the kidneys.

All the dishes taste light, but are rich in nutrition. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables in the cuisine. Although the quantity might look a bit small, there are a great variety of ingredients in different dishes.

The three nutritious menus can also be served for people who are not pregnant, and are prepared according to the same healthy and nutritious principle. Set menus cost from 38-79 yuan per person. It is a non-smoking restaurant. Restaurant offers nutritious meal delivery service for new moms.

Location:  Opposite Beijing Maternity Hospital, 2/F, D Block, 12, Tuanjiehu Dongli, Chaoyang District
Opening hours: 11am-9pm
Tel: 010- 8597-9947 Ext 606