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Many elderly people develop eating habits when they were young. These habits are often difficult to change as they age, especially in the choice of dinner. Many people still eat according to their preferences when they were young and do not pay much attention to how this may affect their bodies.
However, after the age of 70, various functions of the body gradually weaken, and the digestive system is no longer as robust as before. If one eats unsuitable food at night, it may cause serious harm to health.
We can assume the situations of a few elderly people. For example, there is a person who used to stay up late and work at night when he was young; he also ate dinner late and sometimes even had snacks in the middle of the night.
This habit continued into his old age, and even after retirement, it was challenging to change. As a result, he ate a lot at night, and the food he ate was greasy. Over time, he began to experience stomach discomfort, and sometimes even felt chest tightness and heartburn.
To him, visiting the hospital and finding out that he already had chronic inflammation in his stomach and that eating too much at night had caused acid reflux, which under severe circumstances could lead to stomach ulcers or even esophageal cancer.
Another elderly person, who was busy at work when he was young, always hurriedly finished dinner, rarely chewing slowly. This habit continued into old age, and he always ate quickly during meals, including at night.
Due to eating too quickly, the food was not adequately chewed, increasing the burden on the stomach’s digestion. Over time, he found himself feeling bloated at night, and sometimes experiencing symptoms of acid reflux.
The doctor told him that long-term fast eating could lead to indigestion, especially at night when the stomach’s digestion function was already weakened. Eating quickly and eating a lot at night put more pressure on the stomach, making it susceptible to various digestive issues.
There was another elderly person who loved to have supper when he was young, especially when staying up late watching TV or reading. He enjoyed eating while spending time, a habit he hadn’t changed in old age. He needed to eat something before going to bed to feel comfortable.
However, as he got older, his sleep quality began to decline. He often tossed and turned at night, sometimes waking up suddenly in the middle of the night. The doctor told him that this situation might very well be caused by his habit of midnight snacks.
Elderly people already have trouble sleeping, and adding late-night eating to the mix means their stomachs don’t get enough rest at night. This not only affects the quality of sleep but also increases the risk of weight gain and cardiovascular diseases.
Unhealthy dinner choices can have more severe consequences for the elderly than when they were young. As the gastrointestinal function of the elderly gradually weakens, eating too much, too fast, or choosing inappropriate foods at night not only adds to the gastrointestinal burden but can also lead to a range of health issues.
For the elderly, what they eat at night is crucial. Some foods that seem harmless may have negative effects on the body when eaten at night, especially after the age of 70, where extra caution is needed regarding certain foods.
Avoid eating too many nuts at night, as their high-fat content may burden the gastrointestinal system and impact digestion. One elderly person who paid great attention to health usually ate nuts at night to supplement nutrition and prevent heart disease.
However, he often felt bloated at night and even experienced slight acid reflux. Although eating nuts at night could supplement nutrition, the high-fat content could delay stomach emptying, especially in the elderly, whose digestive function is weakened, leading to potential indigestion.
Elderly individuals should avoid consuming excessive fiber-rich vegetables at dinner or before bed. While fiber is essential for health and promotes intestinal movement, consuming too many fiber-rich vegetables at night may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.
One elderly person enjoyed eating large amounts of raw vegetable salad for dinner, especially those rich in fiber, like celery, carrots, and cabbage. He believed it would help clean the intestines, prevent constipation, but found himself often feeling bloated, experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, and even occasional diarrhea at night.
Although fiber is beneficial for intestinal health, excessive intake at night, especially raw intake, may burden the gastrointestinal system, leading to indigestion. Therefore, elderly individuals should moderately consume fiber-rich foods at night and avoid large amounts of raw fiber-rich vegetables.
Avoid eating excessive fruits at night, especially those with high water or sugar content. Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, beneficial for health, but consuming too many fruits at night, especially those high in sugar, may affect sleep and lead to blood sugar fluctuations.
Elderly people should avoid consuming excessive fermented foods at night, as they contain probiotics helpful for gut health. Overconsumption at night can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. One elderly person liked eating kimchi at night, believing it aids digestion and appetite.
However, he often experienced acid reflux and occasional stomach burning at night. The doctor explained that overeating fermented foods at night, which contain organic acids and lactobacilli, may stimulate stomach acid secretion.
Particularly in the elderly, whose stomach acid secretion is already susceptible to imbalance, they should eat fermented foods in moderation at night, especially avoiding the overconsumption of acidic fermented foods.
Elderly people should pay attention to their food choices after dinner and post-dinner. Although nuts, fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods have health benefits, overeating at night may burden the gastrointestinal system, impacting sleep quality and digestive health. Especially after the age of 70, as bodily functions gradually decline, choosing suitable dinner foods is crucial for maintaining health.
Health management after dinner for the elderly involves more than just food choices, it also includes daily behaviors and habits that can help reduce stomach burden, promote digestion, and maintain overall health.
Particularly after turning 70, as bodily functions gradually weaken, taking appropriate actions after dinner to maintain stomach health is crucial. Several uncommon but highly effective suggestions can help elderly individuals better maintain stomach health after dinner.
After dinner, trying the “toe grabbing” exercise can stimulate the foot’s acupoints, enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis, accelerate digestion and absorption.
Some elderly individuals have found their digestive issues improved after regularly doing this simple foot exercise after dinner, especially symptoms of stomach bloating and indigestion significantly reduced.
Semi-reclined rest is an effective alternative to lying flat, helping reduce the occurrence of acid reflux. Sit on a sofa or bed leaning back at about a 45-degree angle, knees slightly bent. This position not only relaxes the body but also prevents the easy reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. Although these methods seem simple, if persistent in daily life, they can significantly maintain stomach health. By taking these actions, the elderly can not only reduce stomach discomfort but also improve sleep quality and overall health at night.
