The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and the Mid-Autumn Eve banquet is a time for family reunions and gatherings with friends. While enjoying the festivities, it is crucial to maintain a scientific and healthy diet.
1. Balance between Staple and Non-Staple Foods
In the food consumed, animal-based foods should not exceed plant-based foods. A proper proportion of staple to non-staple foods is a key prerequisite for nutritional balance.
2. Combination of Meat and Vegetables
A balanced mix of meat and vegetables can stimulate appetite and maintain nutritional balance. Among these, eating fish is better than eating pork, beef, lamb, or poultry. Furthermore, the flavors of cold and hot dishes should be skillfully seasoned with a balance of sweet and salty tastes; a variety of five flavors will open up the appetite.
3. Combination of Coarse and Fine Grains
One should eat appropriate amounts of coarse grains and high-fiber foods, combining coarse and fine grains to aid digestion.
4. Combination of Dry and Soft Foods
The variety of staple foods should be abundant, with options like steamed buns, dumplings, and rice. Porridge, soups, and sweet drinks should also be frequently rotated to achieve a diverse range of flavors.
5. Combination of Lean and Fatty Foods
Meat dishes should be less in quantity but of high quality, combining lean and fatty meats, with lean being the primary choice. The flavor should be light; one can opt for more beef, dog meat, rabbit meat, pigeon meat, pig's trotters, skin jelly, chicken, duck, and goose feet, as well as seafood. Fish and meat should preferably be steamed, with less frying or grilling.
6. Combination of Day and Night Meals
During the festival, people often stay out late or even all night to have fun, which inevitably leads to having a late-night snack. Since the daytime meals are rich, a late-night snack of steamed buns, buns, noodles, or a hot drink like milk is sufficient. This will both satisfy hunger and not harm the spleen and stomach, and it is also beneficial for sleep.
7. Combination of Snacks
Given that the three main meals often contain greasy foods, snacks should mainly serve to whet the appetite, regulate qi, reduce bloating, lower internal heat, and relieve dryness. For example, eating fruits like apples, pears, or bananas between meals is recommended. Eat less of peanuts, melon seeds, candy, and chocolate. However, preserved plums, hawthorn slices, and mint candies can be enjoyed in moderation.
8. Combination of Alcohol and Tea
During the festival, gathering with relatives and friends, drinking a moderate amount of alcohol can promote blood circulation and relieve fatigue, but one must not drink to excess. Drinking tea appropriately can enhance the flavor and fun and aid digestion, but strong tea should not be consumed in large quantities.
9. Eat More When Drinking Alcohol
When people drink alcohol, especially in large quantities, they often feel full, so they don't want to eat afterward. This is very harmful. At this time, one should eat more, consume more vegetables and fruits, and supplement with important antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and trace elements like selenium to reduce the harm of alcohol to the body.
10. Do Not Overindulge in Eating and Drinking
Overindulging in food and drink, being too greedy, and eating too much can lead to various digestive system diseases such as acute gastroenteritis, acute pancreatitis, and cholecystitis. Do not test your body with this.