Potato, Chestnut and Squab Pigeon Soup

Why people make this soup

Muscle weakness and poor appetite become more common as we age — but Nourilo notes that there is often a less obvious underlying reason: long-term use of diuretics or mild laxatives can deplete the body’s potassium levels. Low potassium shows up in ways that are easy to dismiss: persistent tiredness, digestive sluggishness, bloating, constipation, and even anxiety or difficulty sleeping. If an older family member is experiencing these symptoms, a simple check of their medication list — and a visit to the doctor for a blood test — is worthwhile.

From a food perspective, the food highest in potassium is one of the most familiar: the humble potato. In Cantonese food therapy, potatoes are a natural choice for anyone experiencing muscle fatigue or appetite loss. Paired with chestnuts — warm-natured, rich in B vitamins, and classically associated with supporting the kidneys and tendons — and with the deeply nourishing squab pigeon, this soup creates a comforting and genuinely restorative meal.