First, pay attention to food hygiene. In summer, high temperatures can easily lead to bacterial contamination of leftover food, which is best avoided. If you do eat leftovers, they must be thoroughly reheated. Fruits and vegetables to be eaten raw should be washed and peeled.
When making cold dishes, the vegetables must be washed thoroughly, and it is best to blanch them in boiling water. Knives and cutting boards used for cooked food should be separate from those used for raw meat and vegetables. When making cold dishes, add minced garlic and vinegar. This not only stimulates the appetite and aids digestion but also has antibacterial and detoxifying effects, helping to prevent intestinal infectious diseases. When making cold drinks, use boiled water instead of raw water.
In summer, it is best for the elderly to avoid eating food from street stalls to prevent food poisoning.
During the summer, high temperatures can keep the body's nervous system in a constant state of tension, affecting the function of certain glands. This often leads to weakened digestion and a poor appetite. Therefore, one should eat more light and easily digestible foods, such as bean products, eggs, dairy, poultry, fish, fresh vegetables, and fruits, and reduce the intake of greasy foods. The body loses more water and salt in the summer, so it is important to drink more water and some light saltwater. However, avoid drinking excessive amounts at once to reduce the burden on the heart and digestive system. It is better to drink small amounts frequently.
Regularly drinking mung bean soup or red bean soup can help prevent summer heat, clear heat, detoxify, and stimulate the appetite. Regularly drinking health teas can also help relieve summer heat, refresh the body, and invigorate the mind.
Common health teas include: Salt Tea: Use 6 grams of salt, 5 grams of tea leaves, and 500 ml of boiling water. Steep and drink when cooled. It helps dispel heat and summer heat, replenish fluids, and quench thirst. Chrysanthemum Tea: Use 5 grams of white chrysanthemums and 500 ml of boiling water. Steep and drink when cooled. It can clear heat and detoxify.
In addition, you can use 500 grams of winter melon, cut into pieces, and boil to make 3 bowls of soup. Add a little salt for flavor and drink 3 times a day. Alternatively, use 250 grams of fresh lotus root with an appropriate amount of sugar, boil them in water, and drink one dose daily. Regular consumption of these can help prevent heatstroke in the elderly who are frail or have multiple health issues.