Have you noticed that the elderly around us often lose their appetite? As people age, many become less interested in food, which is detrimental to their health. With autumn approaching, it's the perfect season for nourishment, and the elderly must pay close attention to their diet to improve their physical fitness. Below, we will introduce the key aspects of diet for the elderly:
One: Eat Less
As the saying goes: "Eat until you're 80% full, and you'll avoid illness and trouble." This means you shouldn't eat too much at each meal, leaving some space in your stomach. Australian research has found that if people consistently maintain a 20% state of hunger, their lifespan can increase by 20% to 30%.
Two: Eat Warm Food
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches that the spleen and stomach are the foundation of postnatal health. The stomach prefers warmth and dislikes cold, so one should avoid irritating it with cold or frozen foods and eat warm meals. However, it's important to note that "warm" does not mean "hot." Regularly consuming very hot food can damage the esophagus and is a contributing factor to esophageal cancer.
Three: Eat Early
The "early" here refers to eating at the proper mealtimes. Generally, the stomach meridian is most active between 7 AM and 9 AM, so it's best to have breakfast during this period. TCM also says, "If the stomach is not harmonious, sleep will be disturbed." Therefore, dinner should be eaten as early as possible to avoid overburdening the digestive system.
Four: Eat Slowly
This "warmth" is different from the second one. This "warmth" refers to chewing slowly and thoroughly. This helps with full nutrient absorption, protects the stomach and intestines, and aids digestion. It also emphasizes the importance of making meals a pleasant experience and not eating to the point of exhaustion.
Five: Eat Light
The elderly should avoid foods that are too greasy. "Light" means consuming less oil, salt, and processed foods. As salt and oil consumption among Chinese people exceeds recommended levels, the incidence of related diseases like hyperlipidemia and high blood pressure is on the rise. Therefore, the elderly should eat a lighter diet.
Six: Eat Soft Food
The elderly often have loose or missing teeth, and their digestive systems are not as strong as they used to be. Therefore, they should eat soft foods instead of hard ones, such as certain types of hard nuts. Of course, greasy, fried, and hard-to-digest foods should also be avoided.
The above is an introduction to the dietary requirements for the elderly. A friendly reminder: children should always pay attention to any symptoms in their elderly parents' daily lives to prevent any negative impact on their health.