Being Slim vs. Being Plump: The Key to Longevity Lies in Proper Nutrition!
Being Slim vs. Being Plump: The Key to Longevity Lies in Proper Nutrition!
Obesity is indeed associated with certain diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
However, being excessively thin is neither attractive nor healthy. Thin individuals are more susceptible to conditions like osteoporosis, depression, and a weakened immune system.
In reality, in most cases,
especially for the elderly,
being slightly plump is ideal!
But how do you determine the appropriate weight? Let's do a quick calculation.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a commonly used measure of obesity and overall health.
BMI = Weight / (Height in meters)^2, and a normal BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.
In fact, individuals with a BMI between 20 and 25 tend to live longer.
Whether you're plump or thin, there are some secret tips for staying healthy!
For plump people, phlegm is common, and for thin individuals, internal heat is often an issue.
For Plump Individuals with Phlegm – Winter Melon Congee
Most plump individuals have phlegm and dampness in their bodies, which can lead to fatigue, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and hinder spleen and stomach functions. Phlegm is considered "cold" and can also block the flow of yang energy.
So, plump people can consume more foods that help dispel water and phlegm while tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen, such as winter melon, lotus leaf, and hawthorn. Over time, these foods can help clear phlegm and promote smooth circulation of qi and blood.
Take 100g of fresh winter melon or 15g of winter melon seeds, 100g of rice, and 50g of coix seeds. Cook them together to make congee. Consume a small bowl of this congee every day at lunch or dinner for a couple of months, and you'll notice the effects.
For Thin Individuals with Heat – Coix Seed Congee
Thin individuals often suffer from blood deficiency and yin deficiency, which can lead to irritability, easily getting angry, restlessness, poor sleep, and oral ulcers. Excess internal heat leads to faster fat consumption, resulting in thinness.
Such individuals should incorporate foods that nourish yin and clear heat into their daily diet, such as lily bulbs, honey, and bitter melon.
Take 30g each of Chinese yam and coix seeds, 15g of lotus seeds without cores, 10 jujubes without pits, 100g of millet, and add an appropriate amount of sugar. Mix these ingredients and cook them to make congee. Add sugar to taste when the congee is ready to eat.
For Plump People – Clap Hands in the Morning
Plump individuals often have deficiency of yang energy. Hands are considered the headquarters of yang energy. In the morning, when the sun rises, yang energy in the world starts to ascend. Clapping hands can stimulate yang energy, promote its upward movement, and facilitate the smooth flow of qi throughout the body.
For Thin People – Foot Soak in the Evening
Between 7 and 9 p.m. is the time when the kidney meridian is weakest. So, for thin individuals, who often have kidney deficiency, soaking their feet in water at around 40°C (104°F) in the evening is an excellent way to nourish blood and qi. The three most important meridians in the body (kidney meridian, spleen meridian, and liver meridian) all converge in the feet.
Remember not to soak your feet within half an hour after dinner. Moreover, ensure the water reaches at least your calves and ideally covers your ankles. Prolonged soaking isn't necessary; it's best to soak until your feet become slightly red and your body begins to sweat.
For Plump People – Walk for an Hour Every Day
"Movement generates yang energy." Plump individuals should engage in extended aerobic exercises, with walking for over an hour daily being the best choice. This helps boost yang energy and reduces phlegm and dampness naturally.
For Thin People – Get 7 Hours of Sleep Every Night
Thin people who are stressed, overworked, or suffer from insomnia should prioritize getting enough sleep. This will help calm internal heat over time.
For Plump People – Soup Before Meals
Plump individuals are better off having a bowl of soup before their meals. This helps reduce appetite, resulting in smaller portions. It's advisable to avoid high-fat "old fire clear soups" and opt for light vegetable broths.
For Thin People – Soup After Meals
Thin individuals who want to gain weight can regularly have soup after meals. This makes the stomach feel fuller and may lead to a slightly larger appetite, which aids in increasing body weight.
Obesity is indeed associated with certain diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
However, being excessively thin is neither attractive nor healthy. Thin individuals are more susceptible to conditions like osteoporosis, depression, and a weakened immune system.
In reality, in most cases,
especially for the elderly,
being slightly plump is ideal!
But how do you determine the appropriate weight? Let's do a quick calculation.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a commonly used measure of obesity and overall health.
BMI = Weight / (Height in meters)^2, and a normal BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.
In fact, individuals with a BMI between 20 and 25 tend to live longer.
Whether you're plump or thin, there are some secret tips for staying healthy!
For plump people, phlegm is common, and for thin individuals, internal heat is often an issue.
For Plump Individuals with Phlegm – Winter Melon Congee
Most plump individuals have phlegm and dampness in their bodies, which can lead to fatigue, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and hinder spleen and stomach functions. Phlegm is considered "cold" and can also block the flow of yang energy.
So, plump people can consume more foods that help dispel water and phlegm while tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen, such as winter melon, lotus leaf, and hawthorn. Over time, these foods can help clear phlegm and promote smooth circulation of qi and blood.
Take 100g of fresh winter melon or 15g of winter melon seeds, 100g of rice, and 50g of coix seeds. Cook them together to make congee. Consume a small bowl of this congee every day at lunch or dinner for a couple of months, and you'll notice the effects.
For Thin Individuals with Heat – Coix Seed Congee
Thin individuals often suffer from blood deficiency and yin deficiency, which can lead to irritability, easily getting angry, restlessness, poor sleep, and oral ulcers. Excess internal heat leads to faster fat consumption, resulting in thinness.
Such individuals should incorporate foods that nourish yin and clear heat into their daily diet, such as lily bulbs, honey, and bitter melon.
Take 30g each of Chinese yam and coix seeds, 15g of lotus seeds without cores, 10 jujubes without pits, 100g of millet, and add an appropriate amount of sugar. Mix these ingredients and cook them to make congee. Add sugar to taste when the congee is ready to eat.
For Plump People – Clap Hands in the Morning
Plump individuals often have deficiency of yang energy. Hands are considered the headquarters of yang energy. In the morning, when the sun rises, yang energy in the world starts to ascend. Clapping hands can stimulate yang energy, promote its upward movement, and facilitate the smooth flow of qi throughout the body.
For Thin People – Foot Soak in the Evening
Between 7 and 9 p.m. is the time when the kidney meridian is weakest. So, for thin individuals, who often have kidney deficiency, soaking their feet in water at around 40°C (104°F) in the evening is an excellent way to nourish blood and qi. The three most important meridians in the body (kidney meridian, spleen meridian, and liver meridian) all converge in the feet.
Remember not to soak your feet within half an hour after dinner. Moreover, ensure the water reaches at least your calves and ideally covers your ankles. Prolonged soaking isn't necessary; it's best to soak until your feet become slightly red and your body begins to sweat.
For Plump People – Walk for an Hour Every Day
"Movement generates yang energy." Plump individuals should engage in extended aerobic exercises, with walking for over an hour daily being the best choice. This helps boost yang energy and reduces phlegm and dampness naturally.
For Thin People – Get 7 Hours of Sleep Every Night
Thin people who are stressed, overworked, or suffer from insomnia should prioritize getting enough sleep. This will help calm internal heat over time.
For Plump People – Soup Before Meals
Plump individuals are better off having a bowl of soup before their meals. This helps reduce appetite, resulting in smaller portions. It's advisable to avoid high-fat "old fire clear soups" and opt for light vegetable broths.
For Thin People – Soup After Meals
Thin individuals who want to gain weight can regularly have soup after meals. This makes the stomach feel fuller and may lead to a slightly larger appetite, which aids in increasing body weight.
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