Ancient people said that if you reduce your dinner by one bite, you can live to be ninety-nine. To stay healthy, it is advisable to endure a little hunger and cold. In clinical practice, it has been found that many acute pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, acute myocardial infarction, and cerebral hemorrhage are related to overeating and excessive food intake.
So, what is considered not excessive? Traditional Chinese medicine experts believe that the following criteria should be followed: no bloating, discomfort, or shortness of breath after eating; no dryness, bitterness, or stickiness in the mouth at night; clear mind during the day, fresh breath, no fatigue, and high work efficiency.
Eating excessively salty food is not beneficial to health. Akita and Hokkaido in northeastern Japan have the highest incidence of hypertension. People there often eat salted fish and pickled vegetables. On the other hand, the incidence of hypertension is low in Okinawa, where people consume fresh vegetables and fish with a preference for mild flavors. Chinese nutritionists recommend that each person's daily salt intake should not exceed 5 grams, which is equivalent to the amount that can be held in a beer bottle cap. Although China has a wide variety of vegetable dishes, the total salt intake increases due to the consumption of different varieties. In addition to strictly controlling the amount of cooking salt used, it is advisable to consume less salted soybeans, salted meat, salted eggs, fermented tofu, and soy sauce.
Overeating meat is not advisable. When talking about this principle, Mr. Hong Zhaoguang often uses the example of teeth to illustrate. Humans have 28-32 teeth, with 4 canines used for eating meat, which can tear and chew. There are 8 incisors, called cutting teeth, like knives, used to cut vegetables and fruits. Humans also have molars, 16 in total, which are used for grinding grains and cereals. In other words, the number of teeth for eating meat is less than those for eating vegetables and grains. Therefore, the dietary structure should be a combination of meat and vegetables, with a predominance of vegetables. Nowadays, some people have Westernized dietary structures, with excessive intake of high-fat and high-protein foods, resulting in numerous cases of obesity and fatty liver disease. Especially for many people in their thirties who have developed beer bellies, this is very dangerous.
It is important to eat more vegetables. The World Health Organization and the World Cancer Research Fund recommend a daily intake of 400-800 grams of vegetables per person. However, the average intake in China is only 276.2 grams, which is significantly lower. Many vegetables are not only delicious but also have health benefits. For example, dishes made with chrysanthemum brain and wormwood are fragrant and delicious, and they can clear heat and detoxify. Onions and garlic stimulate appetite, promote digestion, and lower cholesterol levels. Celery clears heat, dispels wind, promotes bowel movements, and lowers blood pressure. Red and yellow vegetables such as tomatoes and carrots contain beneficial nutrients like lycopene and beta-carotene. These are suitable for modern people as health-promoting vegetables.
It is also important to consume more legumes. Soybeans are an ideal source of protein for humans. They have a balanced amino acid ratio, are easily absorbed and utilized by the body, and contain high levels of calcium, phosphorus, iron, beta-carotene, niacin, soy lecithin, and soy isoflavones, which have outstanding health benefits.
