WeLoveBlog #032: Spring Festival Diet Health Guide: Avoid Digestive Issues and Celebrate the New Year Healthily

The Spring Festival is a time for family reunions and a season of indulgent feasts. Gatherings with family and friends often increase during this period, with chicken, fish, shrimp, and other rich foods dominating the table. Frequent alcohol consumption, a mix of hot and cold dishes, and an abundance of snacks like sunflower seeds and candies can lead to sudden changes in eating habits. These changes can easily cause digestive issues, particularly indigestion and gastritis, becoming a significant health concern during the holiday season.

To help everyone enjoy the festival with peace of mind, BROTH has prepared a digestive health guide. It includes dietary precautions, tips for managing chronic gastritis, strategies to address acute gastritis, and recommended remedies for symptoms like indigestion. With this guide, you can tackle digestive issues with ease and welcome the new year healthily!

I. Be Cautious with Spring Festival Foods: What Not to Eat Together?

During the Spring Festival, the variety of dishes and combinations increases significantly. However, some food pairings can hinder nutrient absorption, burden the digestive system, or even cause discomfort. Pay special attention to the following combinations:

1. Seafood and Vitamin C-Rich Fruits

• Feasts during the festival often feature seafood like fish, shrimp, and crab. Consuming these alongside vitamin C-rich fruits (e.g., oranges, strawberries, kiwis) can produce harmful substances in the body, adding to the digestive burden.
• Recommendation: Avoid consuming seafood with high-vitamin C fruits simultaneously; spacing them out is safer.

2. Milk and Acidic Fruits

• Protein in milk coagulates when mixed with acidic fruits (e.g., lemon, orange), forming indigestible precipitates.
• Recommendation: When having milk for breakfast, pair it with bread or oatmeal rather than a fruit salad.

3. Alcohol and Spicy Foods

• Both alcohol and spicy foods (e.g., chili, pepper, excessive ginger) strongly irritate the gastric mucosa. Consuming them together can cause acute gastritis or even gastric bleeding.
• Recommendation: Opt for mild and light side dishes, such as soups or steamed fish, when drinking.

4. Desserts and Greasy Foods

• Having desserts after a greasy meal increases the burden on the stomach and raises the risk of indigestion.
• Recommendation: Choose desserts in moderation and avoid high-sugar, high-fat combinations.

II. Tips for Managing Chronic Gastritis

Chronic gastritis is a common condition that requires long-term care. The frequent and rich foods consumed during the Spring Festival can easily trigger or worsen symptoms. Here are some tips to protect your digestive health:

1. Maintain Regular Eating Habits and Avoid Overeating

• Eat three balanced meals daily, avoiding excessive portions, particularly hard-to-digest high-fat, high-protein foods.

2. Choose Light and Easily Digestible Foods

• Include clear soup noodles, steamed eggs, broths, and congee in your diet. Avoid overly spicy or salty cooking methods. Note that not everyone benefits from white congee, as it can dilute stomach acid, leading to increased acid production and stomach distension for some people.

3. Supplement Nutrition to Enhance Protection

• Chicken essence is rich in highly bioavailable proteins and amino acids, which can help alleviate stomach discomfort and protect the digestive system.

>>>Recommended Recipe for Chronic Gastritis: Chicken Essence Yam and Red Date Nourishing Congee

• Ingredients: 30g yam, 50g white rice, 3 red dates, 1 pack of BROTH’s chicken essence.

• Instructions:

1. Cut the yam into pieces and soak the white rice for 30 minutes.

2. Remove pits from the red dates and place them in a pot with the yam and rice. Add an appropriate amount of water.

3. Simmer on low heat until thickened, then stir in the chicken essence.

• Benefits: Strengthens the stomach and spleen, nourishes the body, and is suitable for individuals with sensitive digestion.

III. Strategies for Managing Acute Gastritis

During the Spring Festival, acute gastritis is often caused by overeating, consuming unclean food, or excessive drinking. Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea. Here are steps to take:

1. Temporarily Fasting to Rest the Stomach

• At the onset of symptoms, refrain from eating, especially greasy or irritating foods. Opt for light salted water or electrolyte water to prevent dehydration.

2. Consume Moderate Amounts of Liquid Foods

• During recovery, choose light liquid foods like rice soup or soft noodles. These provide nutrition without overburdening the stomach.

3. Avoid Further Irritation

• Even after symptoms improve, avoid alcohol or irritating foods for a short time to prevent additional stress on the stomach.

IV. Remedies for Indigestion

After festive meals, indigestion symptoms such as bloating and discomfort are common. Here are some dietary tips:

1. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals

• Smaller portions reduce the stomach’s workload while maintaining energy levels.

2. Choose Easily Digestible Ingredients

• Foods suitable for those with indigestion include soft rice, pumpkin, spinach, tofu, eggs, fish, and lean meat.
• Cooking Tips: Focus on steaming and stir-frying, and avoid deep-frying or using heavy oils and salts.

3. Incorporate High-Fiber Foods

• Fresh fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, papayas) and vegetables (e.g., carrots, tomatoes, winter melons) promote gut motility and aid digestion.

4. Dietary Restrictions

• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and spicy foods: Alcohol, tobacco, and spicy ingredients like chili strongly irritate the gastric mucosa and worsen discomfort.
• Avoid gas-producing foods: Items like onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and dried beans can generate gas and lead to bloating.
• Avoid hard and greasy foods: Foods like undercooked brown rice, hard grains, overly toasted crackers or bread, fried chicken, and roasted meats are high in fat, hard to digest, and place additional strain on the stomach.
• Avoid overly cold or hot foods: Ice-cold drinks, ice cream, and fruits straight out of the refrigerator can cause the gastric mucosa to contract, while overly hot foods can irritate the stomach lining, hindering digestion.

Celebrate a Healthy New Year with Digestive Care

The Spring Festival is a warm and joyous time, but health is the foundation of all celebrations. Whether you’re enjoying meals with family or friends, don’t forget to care for your stomach. With proper diet, gentle care, and nourishing remedies, BROTH is here to safeguard your digestive health and cherish the festive moments.

Reference：

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