Many elderly people like to eat "plain food," believing that the lighter the diet, the better, and even claiming that being vegetarian can lead to longevity. Nutrition experts believe that eating overly bland food in old age can weaken the body and make it more susceptible to diseases.
Meat is an important source of nutrition for the human body, as it provides a significant amount of high-quality protein and essential fatty acids needed for growth, development, and metabolism. Fish and meat, especially fish, contain abundant high-quality protein, various unsaturated fatty acids that can lower blood lipids, as well as vitamins and trace elements that the body easily lacks.
In contrast, vegetarian food, except for legumes, contains very little protein and has lower nutritional value, making it difficult for the body to digest, absorb, and utilize. Therefore, the elderly can have rice, flour, or whole grains as their main staple food. Dishes should mainly consist of lean meat and various vegetables. It is also important to consume some soy milk or milk daily and eat fresh fish, shrimp, kelp, etc., in order to ensure the body's nutritional needs.
