Pay attention to eating habits and enjoy a healthy life

       Due to the decline of tooth function, adequate digestion of food and absorption of nutrients are affected. according to elderly With these characteristics, if we want to adjust the diet of the elderly so that they can fully absorb nutrients and achieve healthy For the purpose of longevity, you should pay attention to the following points in diet. 　

 (1) Fruits and vegetables should be fresh

       Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially colored fresh fruits and vegetables, are rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber； Fresh fruits are also rich in organic acids, which can stimulate appetite. Fresh fruits and vegetables are alkaline foods, which can neutralize acidic substances produced during metabolism and play a great role in maintaining the acid-base balance of body fluids. Fruits and vegetables are alive. They are constantly being metabolized inside, and the nutrients in them are also changing. Therefore, if fruits and vegetables are kept for a long time, even if they are well kept, they will inevitably lose their nutrients. ； If they are not kept well, mold and rot will occur, which will produce a lot of toxins, so do not eat fruits and vegetables that have been left out for a long time.

 (2) Food should be soft, not hard

       As people age, their teeth loosen and fall out, and their chewing function decreases significantly. Hard food cannot be chewed or even swallowed. Even if it is swallowed reluctantly, it will cause damage to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, leading to a decline in the function of the digestive system, affecting the digestion and absorption of food. Only foods with soft texture, such as fish, milk, egg , tofu is the best choice, and cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, stewing, and braising are suitable for the digestion and absorption of the elderly.
　
 (3) Drink more water, don’t limit your water intake

       The metabolism of the human body is carried out in water. When the human body is short of water, it will first cause metabolic disorders, produce a large amount of acidic substances, and cause acidosis. In old age, people are less sensitive to thirst, and they often do not feel thirsty when they are mildly dehydrated. Therefore, people around the elderly should often remind the elderly to drink water, and encourage the elderly to develop the habit of consciously drinking water. Do not wait until they are thirsty to think of drinking water. Drinks are preferably boiled water or light tea. Except for those with edema and renal insufficiency, the elderly should not limit their drinking water. Some elderly people are afraid of going to the toilet at night and stop drinking water after dinner. This is very wrong and dangerous. In addition to the above-mentioned effects on metabolism, water restriction can also cause blood concentration, increase blood viscosity, induce thrombosis and cause disability.

 (4) Food should be mixed and don’t be picky eaters

       At present, we are not very clear about the detailed nutrient composition of the human body. Only when all nutrients can enter the liver and are selected by the body itself can the body's needs be met. On the other hand, there is currently no one or several foods that contain all the nutrients needed by the human body. In order to make the nutrients contained in food meet the needs of the human body, the only way is to eat cereals, meats, eggs, milk, beans, fresh vegetables and fruits, fungi and algae, dried fruits, oils and other foods every day, and to match meat and vegetables, thickness, color, taste, dryness and thinness. Some people only eat a few types of food they are willing to eat when eating. Since there are not many types, it is bound to cause a lack of one or more nutrients, leading to malnutrition and harm to health.