Did you know… one of the causes of illness is eating inappropriate food? We know well that eating a balanced diet with all 5 food groups in the correct proportions is good. If you increase the intake of unrefined rice and grains, eat more vegetables, choose fruits high in dietary fiber and not too sweet, it will further help control blood fat and sugar levels to be normal. However, for those who want to avoid and reduce the risk of stroke, it may be necessary to be more selective and strict in food choices.
Too salty? Eliminate salt
Avoid foods that are salty and those cooked with salt, fish sauce, soy sauce, MSG, seasoning powders, and various curry pastes, as well as canned foods, instant noodles, salted eggs, sausages, crispy snack bags, pickled salty foods, preserved foods, and dried foods. These often contain hidden salt. If possible, cook at home and avoid ordering food or eating from plastic bags or boxed meals, as most vendors add a large amount of salty seasonings. Eating high-salt foods is associated with high blood pressure, which can lead to hardened, narrowed, and eventually blocked blood vessels.
Too sweet? Excess sugar harms the brain
Avoid drinking sweetened drinks, sodas, fruit juices, sweets, and very sweet fruits. If you like tea or coffee, reduce the sweetness by drinking tea without sugar or black coffee without added sugar. Do not add sugar to season food, such as in noodles. Eating too much sweet food provides excessive energy that the body cannot burn off, leading to accumulation, overweight, high blood sugar levels, causing diabetes, which results in hardened artery walls and can cause narrowed or blocked cerebral blood vessels.
Saturated fats: better to be cautious
Saturated fats are abundant in animal fats and some plant oils such as lard, coconut oil, palm oil, as well as common foods like milk and dairy products, butter, margarine, bread, non-dairy creamer, cocoa, and chocolate. These fats increase blood cholesterol levels, causing artery walls to harden and narrow due to fat accumulation. If oil is necessary for cooking, use unsaturated oils such as safflower oil or olive oil for salad dressings, and increase consumption of fish rich in omega-3, which helps increase good fats in the blood.
How to eat if you are ill
For those who are already ill, besides avoiding unhealthy foods, it is important to eat properly. For example, focus while eating to eat more and avoid choking, eat slowly, chew carefully, and swallow slowly. Cut food into bite-sized pieces, cook thoroughly but not too hard to make it easy to eat. After eating, rinse your mouth and brush your teeth to avoid food residue, especially on the weaker side of the mouth. Drink water after meals, possibly using a straw or spoon to feed small amounts frequently, and have a caregiver assist when necessary.
Sit or lie properly while eating
If the patient can still eat by themselves, arrange necessary equipment conveniently. The patient should be seated or lying with the head elevated, leaning slightly forward to prevent choking. Use a firm, non-flexible seat for good balance and to prevent slipping. Feet should be flat on the floor, knees bent at 90 degrees, hands resting on the table, and the torso balanced. Food should be placed at a level clearly visible to the patient. When eating lying down, position the hips and knees slightly bent and lean forward slightly while eating.
All of these are important considerations for eating to maintain good health for both healthy individuals and those who are ill. We hope everyone will apply these tips in daily life to eat well and live happily for a long time.
However, besides choosing appropriate foods, regular exercise, living in a pollution-free environment, and managing work-related stress will also help maintain good health and reduce the risk of various diseases. Ideally, regular health check-ups at least 1-2 times a year are recommended to monitor your health and be ready to adjust certain behaviors for long-term well-being.
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