Top 10 Dietary Habits of the Elderly
Since ancient times, people have always hoped for longevity. Let's take a look at the longevity secrets of the elderly...
Likes to eat congee
From a dietary perspective, long-lived people all love to eat congee. The famous economist Ma Yinchu and his wife Zhang Guijun were both centenarians, and they especially enjoyed congee. Every morning, they would add 50 grams of oatmeal to 250 grams of boiling water, let it steep for two minutes, and it would become congee. They did this every day, without fail.
Millet is the best supplement for the elderly
The elderly love millet, considering it the best nourishing food. Frail or sick elderly people often use millet to nourish their bodies. Millet benefits the five organs, strengthens the stomach and intestines, replenishes fluids, strengthens muscles and bones, and promotes muscle growth. A famous physician from the Qing Dynasty said: "Millet is the most nourishing. The 'milk' from boiling rice congee is better than ginseng soup." This shows that there is good reason why the elderly like rice.
Corn as a staple food
Corn is a staple food that long-lived people cannot do without. The American Medical Association conducted a survey and found that among the Native Americans in the U.S., there were no cases of high blood pressure or arteriosclerosis. The reason was their diet of old corn. Medical research has found that old corn contains large amounts of lecithin, linoleic acid, grain alcohol, and vitamin E, which is why high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis are less likely to occur.
A pound of milk every day
P>Drinking milk is a common habit among long-lived people, especially those living in cities.It is said that there are currently 25,000 centenarians in the United States, 80% of whom are women, and their common dietary habit is drinking milk. Centenarian Benning drinks two glasses of milk every day, sometimes more, so at the age of 100, she still shows no signs of osteoporosis.
Milk is high in lysine, low in cholesterol, and its carbohydrates are all lactose, which can be converted into lactic acid in the intestines, inhibiting the growth of putrefactive bacteria. Milk is rich in calcium with a high absorption rate and also contains more vitamins A, D, riboflavin, etc., all of which are necessary and beneficial for the elderly.
When milk is fermented into cheese, eating it can prevent cavities. Drinking yogurt can lower cholesterol, so people who often drink yogurt are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases, and it can also improve eyesight, strengthen teeth, and prevent cell aging.
Eat one egg a day
Eating one egg a day has become a common habit for long-lived people.
The centenarian and famous economist Dr. Chen Hanshan, according to his nutritional plan, adhered to the "three ones" in his daily diet: "an egg in the morning, a glass of milk at night, and a big apple in between." He ate more vegetarian meals and less meat at his three daily meals, scientifically arranging his diet to achieve health.
Nutritionists have determined that the egg white contains a large amount of water and protein. Egg white protein is extremely rich in amino acids, and its composition ratio is very suitable for the human body's needs. This protein has the highest utilization rate in the human body. Egg white protein has a repairing effect on liver tissue damage. The lecithin in the egg yolk can promote the regeneration of liver cells and can also increase the body's plasma protein level, enhancing metabolic and immune functions. After being digested by the human body, lecithin releases choline, which can improve memory. The egg yolk is relatively rich in inorganic salts, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins.
Eggs contain a large amount of cholesterol, and the fat is saturated fatty acid. Eating too many eggs will greatly increase the intake of cholesterol, which can lead to atherosclerosis and harm the cardiovascular system, and increase the burden on the liver and kidneys.
Tofu is a favorite food for the elderly
P>The elderly generally love to eat tofu. They say: "Fish causes fire, meat causes phlegm, cabbage and tofu keep you safe." The book "Sui Xi Ju Yin Shi Pu" says: "It can be made everywhere, affordable for both the rich and the poor, truly the great leader of vegetarian foods. It can also be used in meat dishes. Frozen tofu in winter is especially delicious."The main components of tofu are protein and isoflavones. The effects of tofu include replenishing qi, tonifying deficiency, lowering blood lead concentration, protecting the liver, and promoting metabolism. Regularly eating tofu is beneficial to health and intellectual development. For the elderly, eating tofu often has a good therapeutic effect on conditions like vascular sclerosis and osteoporosis.
Loves Chinese cabbage
Chinese cabbage, an ordinary vegetable, is most loved by the elderly. The master of traditional Chinese painting, Mr. Qi Baishi, painted a special picture of Chinese cabbage, calling it the "king of vegetables" and praising it as "a hundred vegetables are not as good as cabbage."
The elderly often say: "Eat cabbage for half a year, and the doctor can enjoy a leisurely life." Chinese cabbage contains minerals, vitamins, protein, crude fiber, and carotene. It also contains an enzyme that breaks down carcinogenic nitrosamines. From a medicinal perspective, Chinese cabbage has seven major effects: nourishing the stomach, benefiting the intestines, sobering up, promoting bowel movements, lowering lipids, clearing heat, and preventing cancer.
Long-lived people never go without radish in their winter diet. They say: "Eat radish in winter, eat ginger in summer, and you will be healthy all year round." Zheng Banqiao, one of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou," once wrote a couplet: "Green vegetables, radishes, and coarse rice; earthenware pot, natural water, and chrysanthemum tea." "Radish with tea" was Mr. Zheng's way of preserving health.
Radish contains a variety of vitamins and minerals and no fat. The mustard oil and amylase it contains can promote metabolism, increase appetite, and aid digestion.
P>Radish is a truly healthful food for the elderly. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it can resolve stagnation, eliminate food stagnation, treat coughs and loss of voice, stop vomiting and nosebleeds, relieve thirst, stop diarrhea, relieve headaches, and promote urination; eating it raw can quench thirst, clear internal heat, resolve phlegm and stop wheezing, and aid digestion; eating it cooked can aid digestion, strengthen the spleen, and has a tonic effect."Radish with tea." Eating some radish and drinking some tea can relieve dryness, eliminate accumulated heat and toxins from the body, and is very effective for restoring vitality and spirit. Radish also tastes delicious when stewed with meat. However, it should not be eaten with ginseng or oranges.