Have a healthy Lunar New Year holiday from food to stress...I need to take this overseas trip
Jan 26, 2025
|
With the help of Professor Han Byung-deok of Family Medicine at Korea University Anam Hospital, we summarized the "How to spend the healthy Lunar New Year holiday".
◇High calory holiday food…Diet management for hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia patients is required
Most holiday foods contain high calories, high fat, and high sodium, so excessive consumption can lead to weight gain as well as blood sugar and blood pressure rise. For example, a bowl of rice cake soup (700g) is about 550 kcal, a slice of braised short ribs (100g) is about 300 kcal, and a pancake is about 100 kcal. Overeating during the holidays can be particularly dangerous for chronically ill patients.
Diabetes patients should avoid high-carb foods such as rice cakes, japchae, fried foods, and Korean sweets, and consume beans, tofu, herbs, and grilled fish instead. Patients with high blood pressure and kidney disease are advised to refrain from eating foods high in sodium and to choose bland, low-fat foods. In addition, sudden weight gain can be a danger signal for patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, so food intake and weight management should be thoroughly performed.
Changing cooking methods to reduce calories in food is also helpful. When making braised short ribs, it is recommended to cook in a way that minimizes the use of oil by removing the fat as much as possible and steaming or roasting it without frying it. The soup of rice cake soup can be reduced in sodium and calories by using seafood broth or vegetable broth instead of meat broth.
Professor Han Byeong-deok said "It is easy to binge eat in a short period of time during the holidays or continue to eat food such as late-night snacks. It is important to drink water before meals, talk to each other enough, and eat slowly"If you overeat, it is good to move often and increase physical activity" he advised.
◇Rest frequently when driving for a long time and ventilation inside the car is important
Long driving during the holiday can lead to major accidents caused by drowsy driving. Experts advise taking a break for 10 to 15 minutes every hour and warming up by stretching. In addition, it is necessary to use cushioning to maintain a correct driving posture and not put a burden on the waist and neck. If you feel sleepy, you should change your driver or take a break for a while, and it is important to refrain from driving after taking drugs that cause sleepiness, such as cold medicine. When driving for a long time, it is also essential to ventilate the air in the car frequently to prevent lack of oxygen and to prevent drowsiness.
◇ Stress causes family discord...Recommendations such as simple meditation
Holiday is a fun time, but it can cause stress due to housework, family conflict, and political dialogue. It is better to share housework equally among families and avoid political dialogue or sensitive topics. It is also helpful to have a sufficient conversation between family members about the expected stress before the holiday. Excessive stress can lead to physical and mental fatigue, so it is important to take some time to yourself even during the holidays, and manage stress through sufficient rest and regular exercise. Also, it is good to practice simple meditation or breathing exercises.
◇ Respiratory infectious disease epidemic, personal hygiene is important...Learn how to deal with emergency when traveling abroad
Type A flu and COVID-19 are still prevalent. Accordingly, wearing a mask and personal hygiene management are important. During the holiday season when there are many people, infectious diseases can easily spread, so wear a mask and wash your hands thoroughly. In addition, more thorough preventive measures should be taken in families with high-risk elderly or chronically ill patients.
For those who plan to travel abroad, pre-travel preparation is very important. It is recommended to check information on the climate and disease prevention of the travel destination and to get the necessary vaccinations in advance. Professor Han Byung-duk said, "It is safe to prepare necessary medicines, drink purified water, and avoid street food to prepare for possible health risks at the destination. It is helpful to understand the medical system and first aid methods of the destination in advance."," he said.
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
