The modern pace of life is fast, and people often eat in a hurry or overeat, leading to irregular eating habits. These irregular habits can have a great impact on our physical health, especially for women who not only have to work but also take care of their homes. Therefore, in order to prevent depletion of qi and blood, we need to follow some dietary principles.
1. Eat only until 80% full
It is important to not eat until full at every meal, 80% full is sufficient. Overeating puts a burden on the stomach's digestive function and any excess food that is not absorbed will be stored as fat, leading to an unhealthy body.
2. Chew food thoroughly
It is important to know that the food we eat needs to be broken down into a paste-like substance in the stomach before the body can absorb it. Eating cold, hot, spicy, hard, or large pieces of food puts a lot of strain on the stomach lining. Eating in a hurry also prevents the stomach from sending the signal of fullness to the brain, so people often eat until 70-80% full. Excessive food that the body cannot absorb will turn into fat and lead to belly fat.
A better way is to tear, stir, and chew the food until it becomes small, soft, and easy to digest before swallowing. This not only reduces the burden on the stomach but also allows the food to be fully absorbed and converted into qi and blood to nourish the body.
3. Be aware of the harm of cold drinks and spicy food to qi and blood
In the hot summer, a cold drink or ice cream can be refreshing, but consuming large amounts of cold drinks below body temperature can cause the blood vessels in the stomach to contract, leading to stagnation of qi and blood. This can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. In contrast, warm water is the best choice in summer as it not only relieves thirst but also promotes sweating and digestion.
Spicy food directly stimulates the gastrointestinal mucosa and hinders the production of qi and blood. It is difficult to dissipate the heat and it accumulates in the body, leading to frequent inflammation and various digestive issues. Therefore, it is best to consume less or avoid spicy food.
