Can Hot Pot Season Be Weight-Gain Free? CIIE Shows How

As temperatures drop and hot pot restaurants across the city fill with diners slurping spicy broth, a familiar winter worry has taken on new urgency: How to enjoy the season without packing on pounds.

The debate isn't just a casual conversation – it's a public health priority. In 2024, China's National Health Commission launched the National Action Plan for Healthy Weight Management and initiated a three-year nationwide campaign, elevating weight control from a niche concern to a mainstream issue.

And at the ongoing 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the trend is on full display: Weight management has evolved into an integrated ecosystem spanning metabolic science, nutrition, fitness tech, and clinical solutions – proving that indulging in winter's favorite meals and staying trim might not be mutually exclusive.

Metabolic Science Takes Center Stage

Many assume weight gain stems from overeating, but metabolic research points to another culprit: a slowdown in the body's energy expenditure. Improving metabolic efficiency has become a key focus for brands at the expo.

US-based nutrition giant Herbalife is using CIIE to make its MultiBurn supplement available in Asia for the first time. The formula blends chili fruit extract, lemon verbena leaf extract, and Moro blood orange – ingredients linked to boosting satiety and revving up metabolism.

"This product leverages plant-based extracts to support metabolic health," said Sola Xu, Herbalife China's brand marketing lead, adding that the supplement is slated to launch in North America later this year.

Hong Kong's Your Ladyship Holdings offered a contrasting approach rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

"Traditional Chinese practices don't fixate on 'weight loss,' they focus on restoring the body's natural balance," explained Zhao Yunlong, the brand's marketing manager.

"Western metabolic strategies tend to zero in on energy burn, while TCM emphasizes balancing fluid metabolism and digestion. Our company's Water Reduction Capsule, a daily supplement with ginseng, reishi, and poria, embodies that philosophy," he said.

Eating Well, Not Less

For diners reluctant to give up hot pot's rich oils or creamy beverages, CIIE showcased solutions that don't require dietary deprivation – just smarter choices.

At Cargill's booth, nutrition experts stressed that effective weight management isn't about cutting out oil entirely, but choosing healthier fats.

"It's not about eliminating oil – it's about using better oils and reducing saturated fat," said Zhao Qing, marketing director for Cargill Ag & Trading China. "That eases cardiovascular strain without forcing major changes to how people eat."

The company unveiled a zero-trans-fat frying oil tailored for the Chinese market, plus a low-saturated-fat dairy base oil for milk tea and coffee drinks – key for winter indulgences.

Beyond cooking oils, nuts are also a source of unsaturated fats, though their nutritional structure can be affected by high-temperature roasting or heavy seasoning.

Snack chain Shanghai Laiyifen focused on preserving nutrition in everyday treats. Its CIIE display features lightly processed nuts, designed to retain their natural unsaturated fat profiles without the added sugars or heavy seasonings that can derail diets.

"We also offer protein-rich meat and fish snacks, giving consumers more options to balance their daily nutrition," said Wei Ying, who oversees imported products for the brand.

Fitness Tech Integrates Diet, Exercise, and Recovery

Weight management's next frontier? Connecting diet, movement, and recovery into seamless routines – no gym membership required.

Johnson Health Tech denuted an AI-powered home fitness system that links body assessment, training plans, recovery, and meal recommendations into one platform.

"People often struggle because they treat exercise, diet, and recovery as separate tasks," said Zhang Xiangjun, R&D manager for Johnson Health Tech China. "Our system ties them together – from which muscles to stretch to how much protein and carbs to eat post-workout."

The goal, he added, is for AI to act as a "personal trainer or family health coach," making weight management a natural part of daily life.

Herbalife also leaned into personalization with its Pro2col Beta1 platform, launched in North America in July and highlighted at CIIE. The system generates customized weight management plans based on users' health data, with continuous tracking and adjustments.

"Managing weight on your own is hard," said Yang Lan, head of public affairs at Herbalife China. "Our platform includes a community of coaches and peers, helping people turn weight management into a sustainable habit – not a short-term diet."

Clinical Options for Severe Obesity

While these approaches target people with BMIs in the normal range, Boston Scientific introduced a clinical option for those with obesity.

For patients with a BMI between 30 and 50, the company presented Orbera 365, a soft saline-filled balloon placed in the stomach via endoscopy to help patients feel full and curb appetite.

"Its main appeal is that it's low-impact and completely reversible. If needed, the balloon can be removed at any time through a simple endoscopy," said Wang Jing, senior product manager at Boston Scientific China.

The device has been used in a small number of patients in the Greater Bay Area. One patient with a BMI of 47 reportedly lost about 17 kilograms within three weeks, according to Wang. She added that the company plans to launch the product on the Chinese mainland soon.