The Spring Festival is a day for families to reunite, and people are busy and happy amidst the delicacies of the mountains and seas. Some people suffer from "sequelae" due to excessive drinking, overeating, and unclean eating during festivals, leading to gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis and enteritis after the holiday. Associate Professor Wang Chunxia from the Medical Chemistry Teaching and Research Office of Hebei Medical University reminds everyone that they should take a break for their digestive system after the holiday. Overall, they should ensure a light diet and eat more easily digestible foods. Less greasy, less spicy, moderate nutrition is good, not too rich. Eat every meal on time and in a regular manner. And it is not advisable to overeat, only 80% full is sufficient.
Moderate addition of grains and coarse grains to staple foods to aid digestion
Phenomenon: Eating too much during festivals can cause the digestive system to become overwhelmed and lead to excessive fat intake.
Expert tip: Many coarse grains contain essential amino acids and high-quality protein for the human body, as well as rich minerals and vitamins, which are beneficial for ensuring the normal operation of the digestive system, softening blood vessels, lowering cholesterol, and lowering blood lipids. High dietary fiber content, low calorie intake, eating more will not lead to weight gain, and can also help with weight loss. Drink more water after finishing coarse grains to aid digestion. And the consumption of coarse grains should also be gradual, do not suddenly increase or decrease the amount of coarse grains consumed, it is best to have a similar content of coarse grains in each meal. In addition, due to weak gastrointestinal function, the elderly and children may not be able to digest too much coarse food, so they should eat coarse food in moderation.
Snacks should eat more fresh vegetables and less raw and cold food
Phenomenon: Due to eating too greasy, many people may experience bloating, constipation, hiccup, bitter taste, and high blood lipids.
Expert tip: Vegetables contain rich nutrients, which can supplement enough fiber and effectively control constipation or poor excretion. For example, potatoes are rich in dietary fiber and glial substances, making them a good "gastrointestinal cleaner"; Celery can enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis, have good bowel movements, and can also lower blood pressure. In addition, garlic can be added in moderation when cooking. Garlic has a significant effect on lowering blood lipids and preventing arteriosclerosis, and can effectively prevent thrombosis and protect cardiovascular health.
Mix dry and dilute with plenty of hot water
Phenomenon: Eating more meat dishes and dry food during festivals can easily lead to fire.
Expert tips: When eating dry food, you can match some light Congee and soup, such as lotus leaf Congee, vegetable Congee, millet Congee, etc., which can clear away heat, reduce fire, and help digestion. Some Congee made from coarse grain, such as barley porridge, wheat kernel Congee, can also strengthen stomach and spleen. When making soup, it is important to add less salt and add ingredients such as Tremella and Auricularia to reduce heat and fire. In addition, drinking hot water can also promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, accelerate metabolism, and remove greasiness. If you find plain water tasteless, you can add a little honey. Honey has the function of detoxifying and clearing fire, which can accelerate the cleaning of accumulated fat, toxins, etc. in the body.
Paired with fruits after meals to ensure nutritional balance
Phenomenon: Eating more fried or sweet foods during festivals can harm the spleen and stomach, causing digestive function to lose balance and leading to symptoms such as constipation, bloating, or diarrhea.
Expert tip: Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, which can make blood clear, protect cardiovascular health, enhance disease resistance, and promote digestion and absorption. For example, flattening washed hawthorn and rinsing it with hot water can help eliminate stagnation, remove greasiness, and promote metabolism. Soaking chrysanthemums and dates in water can balance digestion.