Queen Elizabeth II is about to turn 91, and her secret to longevity has always been a source of curiosity. Recently, British media have outlined the Queen's daily routine, revealing the secrets behind her three meals a day for a long life.
The Queen wakes up at 7:30 a.m. and starts with a pot of Earl Grey tea, accompanied by a few biscuits, as a warm-up before her main breakfast. The main ingredients of Earl Grey tea are black tea, bergamot oil, and marigold. It is very popular in many countries but is less consumed in ours. Earl Grey tea is very suitable for the elderly. Its main ingredient, black tea, can promote the production of body fluids and clear heat; bergamot oil can soothe the liver, regulate qi, and ease stomach pain; and marigold has the effects of inducing sweating and urination, clearing damp-heat, and promoting blood circulation. Having a few biscuits with tea prevents the stomach from being too empty.
At 8:30 a.m. every day, it's time for the Queen's formal breakfast, which mainly includes oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, and maple syrup. The Queen's breakfast can be seen as a standard for health and nutrition: oatmeal is rich in linoleic acid, has a low glycemic index, can effectively lower cholesterol, and is beneficial for the cardiovascular system. The dietary fiber in oatmeal can also improve constipation in the elderly. Yogurt is not only rich in protein and calcium but also contains a large amount of active lactic acid bacteria, which can improve the intestinal flora and regulate the body's immune function. Maple syrup contains organic acids, has lower calories than sucrose and fructose, but its calcium, magnesium, and organic acid content are much higher than other sugars, making it suitable for the elderly with unbalanced nutrition and weak physical constitutions.
The Queen's lunch is simple, usually consisting of fish or roasted chicken with a vegetable salad. White meat with vegetables is the most standard lunch combination: vegetables provide dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and carotene, and eating them raw is better than cooked, so it is recommended to choose more dark-colored fruits and vegetables. Meat mainly provides protein, vitamins, and some important minerals. The elderly should eat more deep-sea fish in particular, as it has more advantages than other fish in controlling coronary heart disease, clearing vascular waste, and protecting the brain.
At 5 p.m. is the Queen's afternoon tea time, which includes snacks such as sandwiches and small cakes. The Queen's afternoon tea is mainly to supplement calories, which is related to her habit of eating small, frequent meals. The digestive function of the elderly declines daily. If each meal is too large, it is easy to have indigestion; if it is too little, it may be difficult to meet the body's normal energy consumption. Therefore, it is best for the elderly to eat 4 to 5 meals a day, eating less each time. It is recommended that the elderly drink some black tea in the afternoon, which can not only cut through the grease but also supplement flavonoids, helping to strengthen bones.
The Queen schedules her dinner at 7:30 p.m., with a menu of roast beef, grouse, or salmon, but no starch for dinner. The fruit is strawberries or white peaches, and she also eats some chocolate. Adults should consume 150-200 grams of fish, shrimp, meat, and eggs daily to ensure adequate nutrition. The Queen has consumed enough starch before breakfast, at breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Skipping starch at dinner is mainly to control weight and prevent high blood lipids and high blood sugar. However, one should not avoid starch at all three meals. Only by consuming enough starch can the body's energy remain stable and blood sugar normal. For dinner fruit, the Queen chose strawberries and white peaches, which are rich in vitamin C. In fact, the elderly do not need to limit themselves to specific fruits; seasonal and fresh is best. Chocolate can lower blood cholesterol and relieve tension. However, the elderly should not choose white chocolate but should opt for pure cocoa butter dark chocolate, and they should not eat too much, with 6 to 18 grams being sufficient.