A few favorite foods of nutrition experts.

Introduction: Multiple international studies have shown that an improper diet can disrupt the body's balance and induce disease, while people who follow a low-calorie, balanced diet can increase their lifespan by at least 10 years. When it comes to eating healthily, nutrition experts have the most to say. Eight authoritative nutritionists share their beloved foods from their tables with readers.

1. Houttuynia cordata (Recommended by Ma Guansheng, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), also known as Zhe'ergen, has a unique smell and taste. It contains protein, fat, and rich carbohydrates, and has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting urination and reducing swelling, and stimulating appetite and regulating Qi.

Fresh Zhe'ergen, both leaves and roots, are edible and can be stir-fried, cold-dressed, or used in soups. For cold dressing, it should be first washed and old roots removed, then pickled with salt for 5-10 minutes. After that, mix in light soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil, and finally add dried chili segments and coriander segments that have been fried to release their aroma. Houttuynia cordata is native to Guizhou, but now it can also be bought in farmers' markets in northern China. When selecting fresh Houttuynia cordata, it is best to choose those with lush leaves, emerald green color, and a strong Houttuynia smell. If selecting dried ones, it is best to choose those without impurities and that are dry.

Houttuynia cordata stir-fried with liver shreds

2. Camellia oil (Recommended by Fan Zhihong, Associate Professor at the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University), also known as tea seed oil, contains 80%-83% monounsaturated fatty acids, which helps lower blood pressure, blood lipids, and control blood sugar. The oleic acid and vitamin E it contains are even higher than those in olive oil.

The heat resistance of camellia oil is better than that of soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, etc., making it suitable for daily stir-frying, and it can also be used for cold dishes. Although tea seeds have a special taste, most camellia oil products on the market are refined camellia oil, which does not affect the flavor of dishes.

3. Avocado (Recommended by Huang Lianzhen, Professor of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Chairperson of the Hubei Nutrition Society), also known as alligator pear, has delicate flesh and a unique, sweet taste. It contains more than 80% unsaturated fatty acids, known as "healthy fats," and is also rich in various antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, C, and trace elements like selenium, as well as multiple mineral elements. It can protect the cardiovascular system and reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.

Avocado