Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.
In the morning light, Uncle Wang dragged his tired body into the park slowly. Today is his 60th birthday, and he should be happy, but he is sad.
During a recent physical examination, the doctor said that his heart function had deteriorated severely, and if he did not pay attention to maintenance, he might not live to be 70 years old. This shocked him and began to reflect on his habits over the years.
Uncle Wang is a retired bank manager who has been frugal all his life. I am reluctant to eat well on weekdays, and I always feel that it is more important to save money for my children and grandchildren. But now that his life is threatened, he can't help but wonder: Is it really necessary to be so himself?
Just as he was lost in thought, a kind old lady sat down beside him. Her name is Grandma Zhang, and she is 85 years old this year, but she is full of red face and high spirits. The two chatted, and Uncle Wang expressed his troubles.
After hearing this, Grandma Zhang smiled and said, "When I was young, I was like you, always thinking about saving money. It wasn't until he was diagnosed with a heart problem at the age of 70 that he woke up. Then I changed my lifestyle and now I'm stronger than before!"
Uncle Wang was surprised and hurriedly asked for the secret. Grandma Zhang shared her secret to maintaining her heart.
She said that the heart is the engine of the human body and determines the length of a person's lifespan. After the age of 60, it is necessary to take extra care of heart health. In fact, the method is very simple, the main thing is to adjust the diet structure and eat more heart-healthy foods.
The first food mentioned by Grandma Zhang was deep-sea fish. She explained that deep-sea fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower blood lipids and prevent arteriosclerosis.
In particular, salmon, tuna, etc., eaten 2-3 times a week, are especially good for the heart. The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that adults should consume 250-2000 mg of EPA and DHA per day, which is equivalent to eating fish 1-2 times a week.
Uncle Wang listened attentively, and hurriedly took out a small notebook to write it down. Grandma Zhang went on to say that the second food is nuts. She eats a small handful of mixed nuts every day, including walnuts, almonds, cashews, etc.
These nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and minerals, which lower cholesterol and protect the cardiovascular system. The Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022) also recommends 25-35 grams of nuts per day.
The third food is vegetables and fruits. Grandma Zhang emphasized that eating more dark vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, blueberries, etc., can provide the body with rich antioxidants and prevent heart disease. She eats at least 500 grams of vegetables and 300 grams of fruits every day, which is fully in line with the recommendations of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Finally, Grandma Zhang mentioned whole grains. She replaces refined white rice noodles with brown rice and oats, increasing dietary fiber intake, which helps control blood sugar and blood lipids. The "Dietary Pagoda for Chinese Residents" recommends a daily intake of 50-150 grams of whole grains and miscellaneous legumes.
Uncle Wang was fascinated by what he heard, as if he had opened the door to a new world. He sighed: "It turns out that taking care of the heart is so simple, why didn't I think of it before?"
Grandma Zhang said with a smile: "It's easy to know, but it's hard to persevere." The key is to change your mindset and be kind to yourself. It's right to save money, but you also need to know how to invest in health. "
Uncle Wang was thoughtful and decided to change from today. He invited Grandma Zhang to go to the supermarket with him to buy some deep-sea fish and nuts to go home. On the way, the two talked happily, and Uncle Wang seemed to see a better life in the future.
Back home, Uncle Wang prepared dinner with great interest. He fried a piece of salmon with broccoli and whole-wheat bread and sprinkled with chopped walnuts. After eating, he felt refreshed, as if he was ten years younger.
In the following days, Uncle Wang adhered to a new diet and began to walk and exercise every day. After a month, he noticeably felt more physical strength and improved sleep quality. Three months later, the doctor was pleasantly surprised to find that his heart function had improved significantly.
Uncle Wang's changes have also affected the people around him. His wife saw her husband rejuvenated and began to pay attention to eating a healthy diet. Seeing the change in their parents, their children have expressed their desire to go home more often to accompany them and enjoy a better life together.
One day half a year later, Uncle Wang met Grandma Zhang again in the park. The two looked at each other and smiled, as if they had been friends for many years. Grandma Zhang praised Uncle Wang's ruddy complexion, and Uncle Wang thanked Grandma Zhang again and again for her guidance.
They strolled through the park, and Uncle Wang excitedly shared the harvest of this time. He said that not only has his body improved, but his mentality has also become younger. I used to think that life was all about saving money and saving for my children and grandchildren, but now I understand the importance of enjoying the moment.
Grandma Zhang nodded with satisfaction and said, "When people reach their old age, they must learn to enjoy life. Moderate consumption is not waste, but responsibility for oneself. Only when you are healthy can you truly give your family happiness. "
Uncle Wang thought so. He lamented: "I used to think that spending money to eat good food was a waste, but now I understand that it is an investment in health." The money saved was not used, but it broke the body, and it was not worth it. "
The two looked at each other and smiled, and continued to walk and chat. Uncle Wang said that he has recently become obsessed with cooking and often researches healthy recipes. He also joined the Tai Chi class in the community and met many new friends. Life is full and happy, and I look forward to new harvests every day.
After hearing this, Grandma Zhang praised again and again, saying that Uncle Wang had found a way to maintain health. "Many people mistakenly think that health is about taking supplements and going to the doctor," she said. In fact, the best way to maintain health is to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude. "
Uncle Wang deeply agreed. He said that the biggest gain in the past six months is that he has learned to cherish life and love life. In the past, I always thought that health care was the business of the elderly, but now I understand that health is a lifelong issue, and the sooner you pay attention to it, the better.
The two talked happily, and before they knew it, it was sunset. When they parted, Uncle Wang invited Grandma Zhang to visit his home another day, saying that he would cook himself and express his gratitude with delicious and healthy food. Grandma Zhang happily agreed and agreed to meet next week.
Looking at Grandma Zhang's distant back, Uncle Wang's heart was full of gratitude. He was glad that he woke up in time to redefine his later life. He secretly determined to pass on this health concept to more people and benefit more elderly friends.
As night fell, Uncle Wang walked home briskly. He looks forward to tomorrow because he knows that every day is a new beginning, full of possibilities. Life after the age of 60 can be so exciting.