6 Key Principles for a Healthy Christmas Diet
About half an hour to an hour after a big meal, some people suddenly experience a series of symptoms, including dizziness, a throbbing head, bulging eyes, numbness in the upper limbs, trembling of the jaw, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, increased pulse, rapid breathing, and high blood pressure, leading them to seek medical attention. It turns out that in recent years, nutritionists and medical experts have studied this and concluded it is a special "civilization disease" caused by overindulging in delicious food, known as "delicious food syndrome."
Dr. Herman Kotzke, an American internal medicine expert, proved through experiments on over 1,000 patients that the chicken, duck, fish, meat, and other foods they consumed were rich in sodium glutamate, the main component of MSG, which strongly stimulates the human sense of taste. After entering the human body, sodium glutamate can break down into substances like glutamic acid and tyrosine. Under the action of intestinal bacteria, these are converted into toxic and harmful substances. When these substances travel to the brain via the bloodstream, they interfere with the normal metabolism of brain nerve cells, disrupt physiological functions, and lead to the aforementioned series of symptoms. If these symptoms appear, there is no need to panic. In mild cases, resting is enough to resolve them. In severe cases, one should seek medical attention promptly to prevent any delay. However, while enjoying a lavish diet during the festive season, it is best to guard against aftereffects like delicious food syndrome and obesity.
6 Key Principles for Christmas Diet
Don't Overeat
Only eat until you are 80% full at each meal; do not overstuff yourself. In terms of food, whole grains as a staple are essential. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in fiber and vitamins to promote gastrointestinal motility and speed up the excretion of harmful substances from the body.
Focus on Quality, Not Quantity
Although fresh food is nutritious, it's best to cook only enough for one meal at a time, and pay attention to food safety and hygiene. Be cautious to prevent illness from contaminated food. Therefore, leftovers should be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated. Additionally, it's best to have two separate cutting boards and knives in the kitchen to handle cooked and raw foods separately to avoid cross-contamination.
Master the Art of Cooking
Use less oil, sugar, and salt to maintain good health. Too much fat can lead to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Therefore, use cooking methods like steaming, boiling, blanching, stewing, roasting, braising, and cold dressing to reduce oil absorption. Furthermore, when chilled in the refrigerator, the fat on chicken broth and other stocks can be skimmed off. It's best to avoid adding MSG during cooking to prevent an excessive intake of sodium glutamate. At the same time, be mindful that sugary foods can cause weight gain and have an adverse effect on blood lipids. Too much sodium (found in salt, soy sauce, MSG, and preserved foods) can cause water retention in the body, leading to swelling and increased blood pressure.
Don't Drink Alcohol in Excess
Although the New Year is a joyous occasion, you should still take care of your body when drinking. Remember: don't pressure others to drink, don't engage in drinking contests, and don't get drunk. Moderate drinking is beneficial for heart health, but limit it to 30cc of whiskey, 40cc of brandy, or 90cc of red wine. Those who suffer from gout or high blood uric acid should be aware that alcohol and fatty acids can trigger a gout attack.
Snack in Moderation
Resist the temptation of snacks. Foods like potato chips, candy, melon seeds, and peanuts are not low in calories. Don't eat these while watching TV, as you can unknowingly consume a large number of fattening calories.
Drink More Tea and Water
Drink more water or tea. You should drink at least 6 bowls (or cups) of water (including soup) daily, with each bowl (or cup) being 250cc. Don't add sugar to your beverages. Sufficient water can promote and improve bowel movements, which is especially important for people with high blood pressure. Of course, water also helps excrete waste from the body, which is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of kidney and urinary tract stones.