Introduction: Nowadays, Chinese people are paying more and more attention to health preservation, with dietary therapy being particularly valued by many: What should one do in the kitchen every day, and how to do it in the most beneficial way for the body? Which foods can be eaten and which cannot? Many people can speak with great authority on these matters. For some, eating has become a very meticulous and worrisome affair. But is it really necessary?
Eating is one of life's great pleasures
China is a great nation of cuisine. Since ancient times, Chinese people have all been gourmands, deriving endless joy from eating. Even a simple home-cooked dish, with a little thought, can evoke the scent of flowers and the sound of birds amidst its vibrant colors. Similarly, a bowl of vegetarian noodles can be made to be fragrant and delightfully green.
Not long ago, I was a guest at an aunt's house and saw a small scale in her kitchen. I learned that it was used to weigh food at every meal. While marveling at her meticulousness, I also felt that doing so was rather tiring. In today's era of advocating for scientific diets, people have a better understanding of dietary nutrition, which is a good thing and should be encouraged. But eating is also a form of enjoyment and a source of happiness in life. In moments of lazy weariness or when one's spirits are low, a warm, comforting meal can reinvigorate us and lift our mood. We can't treat eating like taking medicine—one pill too many or one pill too few is not allowed, and even the bitterest medicine must be swallowed. Eating is not like taking medicine; otherwise, it becomes a mental burden.
Eating doesn't have to be too dogmatic
In fact, eating doesn't need to be too dogmatic. Food is incredibly diverse, and individual circumstances vary greatly. As long as the diet is generally reasonable, that's sufficient.
What does "generally reasonable" mean? Let's take an example. We often say that for a healthy diet, one must maintain a balanced diet, but this doesn't mean that some foods can be eaten while others cannot. All the foods we eat have their own edible and nutritional value. Everyone must choose foods according to their own physical characteristics and physiological changes. In terms of diet, all nutrients must be well-maintained. But it's also important not to eat favorite foods every day and to completely avoid foods one dislikes. Regarding the balance of dietary nutrition, we should adopt a "fuzzy" concept. As long as we achieve a general overall balance, there's no need to be overly calculating or precise. Calculating how many grams of fat this has or how many calories that has is unnecessary. It will only lead to a point where you're too afraid to eat anything.
It's enough to grasp the general principles
Some elderly people believe that the lighter the diet, the better, even claiming that a vegetarian diet can lead to longevity. In fact, the main factor for good health is not whether one eats meat or is vegetarian, but what one eats and how much—whether the nutrients the body needs are complete and in the right amounts. Because of weakened teeth and digestive capacity, the elderly need to be more particular about their diet than younger people, but they don't need to be overly meticulous about everything. It's enough to grasp the general direction and principles.
For instance, some elderly people worry that eating too much will lead to obesity and "rich man's diseases" (affluence-related illnesses), so they start calculating the calories in every meal like Americans, not allowing even a little bit to go over. This not only makes them mentally exhausted but also leaves them with little mind to savor the deliciousness of the food when they eat.
Another example is the common saying that instant noodles and Western fast food are "junk food," and that the elderly should completely avoid them. In reality, there are no inherently "bad" foods that cannot be eaten at all, nor are there "good" foods that can be eaten without limit. The key is mastering the quantity. Whether it's Chinese or Western fast food, they generally do not meet the requirements for a balanced diet. It is definitely wrong to eat them as a staple food every day. However, they are convenient and when needed, eating them occasionally is not a problem.
The impact of diet on health is a long-term effect and the result of a combination of many foods. It is not determined by whether the diet is reasonable for a day or two, nor by one or two specific foods. We don't need to plan every meal according to a "formula," turning eating into a burden. As long as we maintain a general overall balance and stick to it consistently, everyone can manage their own diet and enjoy a beautiful life.