Diet for the elderly: What can and cannot be eaten

　　Diet and health care for the elderly are based on elderly Based on metabolic characteristics, a reasonable diet can nourish the five internal organs, replenish qi and blood, and achieve the purpose of prolonging life.

　　Suitable for vegetarians and less meat　Elderly people who overeat greasy food for a long time are prone to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease、Hyperlipidemia diseases, diabetes and other diseases. Therefore, the elderly should avoid meat in their diet and should eat more vegetables and fruits. Mainly vegetarian food, less meat, pay attention to the combination of meat and vegetables to meet the body's needs for a variety of nutrients. Ancient health experts once advocated: "Five grains are for nourishment, five animals are for benefit, five vegetables are for supplement, and five fruits are for help", which shows that different nutrients can complement each other in the body.

　　Prefer fresh and avoid aging　Freshness and staleness refer to the quality of food. Fresh food contains many nutrients and is delicious, which can not only induce the appetite of the elderly, but also facilitate digestion and absorption. Due to the weakened immunity of the body and the reduced detoxification function of the liver, the elderly should avoid eating all spoiled foods and half-dead turtles and crabs in their diet.

　　Better to eat less than to eat too much　The digestive function of the gastrointestinal tract decreases in old age. If you eat too much, it can easily lead to overburden on the gastrointestinal tract, causing belching, abdominal distension, and diarrhea and other symptoms. A heavy meal can damage brain function and promote aging. The ancients said: "The appetite is small but the appetite is small, and the desire is sudden and abundant. ”The elderly should implement the principle of eating less but more carefully, and eating less and more meals according to their physical constitution, amount of activity, amount of energy consumption and other specific conditions.

　　It is better to be soft than hard　In the elderly, due to weak kidney qi and loose and weak teeth, gastrointestinal motility can be slowed down and digestive juice secretion can be reduced. In terms of diet, it is better to eat soft foods, and avoid eating hard foods such as fried and roasted foods. In terms of food cooking, steaming, boiling, stewing, and braising are the main methods, which are helpful for digestion and absorption. The best way for the elderly to maintain their health is to eat porridge, especially porridge for breakfast, which is good for nourishing the stomach.

　　Should be light and avoid salty　The appetite of the elderly decreases, so when cooking and processing food, in addition to paying attention to the color, aroma and taste, they should also avoid salty foods. Eating too salty food will cause excess sodium ions in the human body, causing vasoconstriction, raising blood pressure, and causing cerebrovascular disorders. The elderly should strictly control the amount of salt, with about 3 grams per person per day being appropriate. The elderly should also avoid foods that are too sweet and spicy in their diet to prevent them from gaining weight or causing gastrointestinal irritation.

　　Better to be warm and avoid cold　The elderly are mostly deficient and cold, so they generally feel cold and have lukewarm limbs every winter. Like to eat overheated or hot food, which creates a mechanical stimulation to the esophagus and stomach, and may induce esophageal cancer and stomach cancer danger. In late autumn and winter, it is advisable to choose foods and medicinal foods with warming and tonic effects to maintain vitality. Eat less raw and cold foods, especially cold drinks, in hot weather to prevent damage to the spleen and stomach, causing indigestion, stomach ache , diarrhea and other diseases. Sun Simiao proposed a method of measuring the appropriateness of cold temperature: “Hot will not burn your lips, cold will not freeze your teeth. ”Traditional Chinese medicine believes that in cases of Yang deficiency and cold, raw and cold foods should be avoided; in cases of Yin deficiency and heat, spicy, tobacco, alcohol and other hot foods should be avoided.

　　Prefer tea and avoid wine　Tea is the best beverage rich in nutrients. Elderly people drink tea in moderation to supplement essential nutrients such as vitamins, folic acid, and niacin. Drinking tea can refresh your mind, improve your gastrointestinal function, and prevent and treat high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, dental caries, cancer wait. Drinking by the elderly will do more harm than good. Alcohol can damage the tissues and organs of the human body, reduce intelligence and aggravate the symptoms of dementia. Long-term alcohol abuse can cause bleeding in the stomach and lungs, cirrhosis of the liver, and even develop into liver cancer.