We often say "food is as important as iron," meaning skipping a meal leaves us famished. Thus, eating becomes our daily priority. Yet few know how to eat healthily—especially men, whose busy work schedules leave no time to care about stomach health. Below are four major taboos men should avoid for stomach care.
Four Major Taboos for Men's Stomach Care
1.Avoid unclean food
Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Among ulcer patients, the detection rate of this bacterium reaches 70-90%. After ulcer healing, the bacterium also disappears. Ulcer patients can transmit the infection through close contact such as sharing utensils, toothbrushes, or kissing. Unclean food is one of the reasons for ulcer infection.
2. Avoid irregular eating patterns
When hungry, stomach acid and proteases remain unneutralized by food, leading to high concentrations that can cause self-digestion of the mucosa. Overeating damages the stomach's self-protective mechanisms; excessive stretching of the stomach wall and prolonged food retention both contribute to gastric injury.
3.Avoid wolfing down food
Food entering the stomach undergoes grinding and digestion, transforming into a chyle-like substance before being passed into the intestines. If consumed hastily without thorough chewing, it increases the stomach's burden, prolongs retention time, and may damage the gastric mucosa. Additionally, chewing slowly and thoroughly increases saliva secretion, which reduces gastric acid and bile secretion, thereby benefiting stomach health.
4. Avoid Excessive Drinking and Smoking
Individuals with existing digestive disorders should immediately quit smoking and drinking. Smoking constricts gastric blood vessels, reducing blood supply to the stomach while inhibiting gastric mucus secretion, thereby worsening mucosal damage. Excessive alcohol consumption directly damages the gastric mucosal barrier, causing congestion, edema, erosion, and even bleeding.Alcohol also contributes to cirrhosis and chronic pancreatitis, which in turn exacerbate gastric damage.
Here are several porridge recipes that are both healthy and gentle on the stomach:
1. Glutinous Rice Porridge
Glutinous rice is rich in protein, fats, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, and starch, making it a nutritious, warming tonic food.It replenishes qi, strengthens the spleen, nourishes the stomach, and stops spontaneous sweating. It provides relief for spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, poor appetite, abdominal distension, and diarrhea. Glutinous rice has astringent properties, making it an effective dietary remedy for frequent urination and night sweats.
Preparation: Rinse glutinous rice thoroughly, place in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and cook into a thin porridge. For those who prefer sweeter flavors, add an appropriate amount of white sugar while cooking.
2. Japonica Rice Porridge
Japonica rice enhances immune function and promotes blood circulation, thereby reducing the risk of hypertension. It helps prevent diabetes, beriberi, age spots, and constipation. The coarse fiber molecules in its bran layer aid gastrointestinal motility, making it highly effective for stomach ailments, constipation, and hemorrhoids.
Preparation: First grind the yizhiren into powder. Rinse the japonica rice thoroughly and place it in a clay pot. Add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer into porridge. Stir in the yizhiren powder and seasonings, then simmer briefly before serving.
3. Fire Hemp Seed Porridge
Fire hemp seeds moisten the intestines and invigorate blood circulation. They break up blood stasis, restore blood flow, relieve urinary obstruction, and lubricate the bowels. This is beneficial for postpartum ailments in women, wind-heat constipation in the large intestine, and poor lochia discharge. Combined with rice, which tonifies the middle energizer, benefits qi, strengthens the spleen, and harmonizes the stomach, this porridge effectively treats postpartum constipation and is also effective for elderly individuals suffering from various deficiencies and intestinal dryness-induced constipation.
Preparation: For each serving, pound 15g of fire hemp seeds with a small amount of water until pulverized. Add 50g of rice and sufficient water to cook into porridge. Season to taste and consume.