Daily nutrition is sufficient, so there's no need to indulge your cravings during the holidays
Yang Fangcai said, actually, the nutrients our bodies need on a daily basis can basically be met through food, so there's no need to indulge cravings during holidays. On the contrary, this is a time when more attention should be paid to health and wellness. Medical practice has proven that nutritional excess can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other diseases. Moreover, because daily physical activity during the Spring Festival is significantly less than during workdays, it can even lead to "excess sleep," which is very unfavorable for food digestion and nutrient absorption.
He said, many people now focus on health and talk about "health preservation" almost every day, but as soon as the holidays arrive, it's as if they've forgotten. The key to anything is persistence, and this is especially true for healthy eating habits.
Light diet, regular life, learn to control your own life
Overindulging during the holidays is sometimes unavoidable. Yang Fangcai said that pancreatitis is a disease with a relatively high incidence during holidays and is directly related to overeating. Therefore, one must learn to control oneself, eat a light diet, maintain a regular life, and exercise more often to reduce fat accumulation. This is especially important for some middle-aged and elderly people and children with weak digestive systems. Generally speaking, the following points should be noted for dietary control: reasonable pairing, avoiding greasy food and favoring light meals, vegetables and fruits are essential, stop when you're full, and maintain a normal eating schedule.
Relevant experts point out that the human body must maintain a slightly alkaline state, with a pH value of around 7.3 being optimal. If the human blood is acidic, blood viscosity and cholesterol are relatively high, people are more prone to fatigue, and the body's resistance will also decrease. Greasy dishes are almost all acidic foods, rich in protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Therefore, festive meals should be paired with alkaline foods to achieve the body's acid-base balance. The food with the highest alkaline content is kelp, followed by green vegetables, lettuce, celery, mushrooms, carrots, radishes, and more. At the same time, attention should be paid to a low-sodium diet. During the holiday season, when more side dishes are eaten, the intake of salt is even greater, and the sodium content in the blood will be higher, which is not conducive to maintaining normal blood pressure. Potassium is the nemesis of sodium, as it can expel excess sodium from the body. Vegetables rich in potassium include seaweed, kelp, mushrooms, asparagus, pea shoots, lettuce, celery, and more.
[Special Reminder]
Ancient Chinese medicine believes that congee is the best food because it is gentle on the stomach and intestines. Therefore, during the Spring Festival, drinking congee can help relieve gastrointestinal pressure and also nourish the body.
Drink some congee to relieve gastrointestinal pressure
Rice and Cassia Seed Congee
Ingredients: 10g roasted cassia seeds, 60g rice, a small amount of rock sugar.
Method: First, roast the cassia seeds until slightly yellow, then take them out to cool and make a decoction. Then, cook the rice with this decoction. After it's cooked, add rock sugar and it's ready to eat.
Effects: Clears the liver and brightens the eyes, promotes bowel movements.
Suitable for: People who sit for long periods during the Spring Festival.
Hazelberry and Goji Berry Congee
Ingredients: 30g hazelnuts, 15g goji berries, 50g japonica rice.
Method: First, crush the hazelnuts, then cook them with goji berries in water to make a decoction. Remove the dregs and cook the japonica rice with the decoction over low heat until it becomes congee.
Effects: Nourishes the liver and kidneys, brightens the eyes, and enriches the muscles.
Suitable for: People who are long-term sedentary.
Black Sesame and Brown Rice Congee
Ingredients: 1 cup brown rice, 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds, appropriate amount of white sugar.
Method: Wash and drain the brown rice. Add water to a pot and bring to a boil. Add the brown rice and stir. After it boils, reduce to medium-low heat and cook for 45 minutes. Add the black sesame seeds and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add white sugar and stir until dissolved.
Effects: Helps expel old stool, lightens the body without losing nutrition.
Suitable for: If you sit and play mahjong every day, you might want to try this for dinner.
Walnut, Ginger Juice, and Red Date Congee
Ingredients: 200g glutinous rice, 100g walnuts, 75g ginger, 10 red dates, 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
Method: Wash the walnuts and red dates. Peel the ginger and grind it into ginger juice. Wash the glutinous rice and put it in a pot. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add all the ingredients and cook for 30 minutes until soft. Then add brown sugar and mix well.
Effects: Walnuts are rich in iron and vitamin E. Paired with ginger and red dates, they have the effect of replenishing qi, nourishing blood, promoting blood circulation, and giving the skin a healthy glow.
Suitable for: Women who insist on wearing less and want to show off their charm. If you have already caught a cold, you should definitely try this congee.