As people reach middle age, they pay more attention to health and wellness. Now is the dog days of summer, so what foods should you not miss out on during this time? Let’s take a look together.
**Tomatoes**
Tomatoes are rich in vitamins and lycopene, which soften blood vessels, promote skincare, anti-aging effects. Especially after the age of 35, the skin tends to become dry, lack moisture, lose elasticity, and develop more wrinkles. Eating food made with tomatoes has many benefits, and it is especially important for middle-aged and elderly people to eat more tomatoes to protect cardiovascular health.
**Tomato Egg Soup**
Ingredients: Tomatoes, eggs, greens, cornstarch, salt, sesame oil
Instructions:
1. Make some cuts on the tomatoes, soak them in boiling water, peel off the skin, cut them into small pieces and set aside. Also, prepare some greens or scallions for seasoning.
2. Beat three eggs in a bowl with a little water, add a pinch of salt for smoother and more fragrant egg mixture. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry the tomatoes until they release their juice, add some boiling water, bring to a boil, then add the pre-prepared cornstarch mixture. Stir in the egg mixture, add a little salt, chicken powder, sesame oil, greens, cook until boiling, then serve hot in soup bowls for a fresh, fragrant and smooth soup.
**Fish and Shrimp**
Fish and shrimp are foods that can be eaten regularly in any season. They are low in fat, low in calories, high in protein, rich in calcium, zinc, iron, and high-quality proteins. Consuming these foods enhances memory, vitality of cells, boosts energy levels, helps fight fatigue, and has many benefits for preventing conditions like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. There are many different ways to prepare fish and shrimp dishes, such as stir-frying, pan-frying, deep-frying, stewing, or boiling.
**Stir-fried Prawns**
Ingredients: Tiger prawns, scallions, cooking wine, red chili, black pepper, five-spice powder, light soy sauce, sugar, salt
Instructions:
1. Clean the tiger prawns and prepare the scallions and chili for seasoning.
2. Heat oil in a pan, sauté the red chili until fragrant, then add the prawns and stir-fry briefly.
3. Add a little cooking wine, light soy sauce, sugar, dark soy sauce, five-spice powder, black pepper, stir well, then add some water, cover and cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with scallions and continue stirring before serving.
**Millet**
Millet is a good coarse grain that nourishes the intestines, skin, and aids digestion. It contains plenty of minerals, proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients. Consuming millet regularly warms the stomach, nourishes the stomach, especially as one reaches middle age when physical strength and energy may decline. Having millet porridge with some red dates and wolfberries helps replenish nutrients, strengthen immunity, and improve complexion and energy.
**Millet Red Date and Wolfberry Porridge**
Ingredients: Millet, red dates, wolfberries
Instructions: Rinse the millet, put it in a pot with clean water, wash the red dates and add them to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. Add a handful of wolfberries and continue simmering for another 5 minutes. Serve in bowls when hot for a nutritious and delicious meal. You can add white or brown sugar according to your taste.
**Potatoes**
Potatoes are commonly eaten food, rich in minerals and dietary fiber, low in fat, low in calories, high in starch content. They provide a sense of satiety and taste great. For those looking to maintain body weight or lose weight, it’s recommended to eat more potatoes and less rice or steamed buns. Don’t worry about gaining weight; potatoes help moisten the intestines, detoxify, and provide nutrition and energy.
**Potato Beef Stew**
Ingredients: Potatoes, beef, cooking wine, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, five-spice powder, peppercorns, star anise, salt
Instructions:
1. Peel and wash the potatoes, cut them into evenly sized pieces, soak them in saltwater to prevent discoloration.
2. Soak the beef in water to remove excess blood, rinse it well, and cut it into medium-sized pieces.
3. Heat oil in a pan, add star anise to infuse the oil with aroma, then add the beef, stir-fry briefly, add a bit of dark soy sauce, cooking wine, black pepper, five-spice powder, and Sichuan peppercorn powder. Stir in some water, simmer for about 45 minutes, then add the potatoes and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Add salt to taste, then serve.
**Luffa Gourd**
Now is the time to enjoy luffa gourd. It is high in water content and nutrients, rich in vitamins and minerals. Eating luffa gourd in hot weather can clear heat, relieve internal heat, and cool you down. Especially when faced with high work pressure, irregular eating habits, and the risk of getting constipated due to internal heat, cooking luffa gourd with meat or making soup are excellent choices.
**Luffa Gourd with Shiitake Stir-fried Pork**
Ingredients: Luffa gourd, shiitake mushrooms, lean pork, light soy sauce, five-spice powder, salt
Instructions:
1. Peel and wash the luffa gourd, cut it into small pieces. Rub salt on the shiitake mushrooms, wash them thoroughly, and slice them.
2. Wash and cut the lean pork into small pieces, marinate with starch, light soy sauce, and salt for a while for a more tender texture.
3. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry the pork until cooked, add the shiitake mushrooms, stir briefly, then add the luffa gourd. Stir-fry until well mixed, then add some light soy sauce, five-spice powder, and salt for seasoning. Cook for a while until ready.
