6 habits that affect your digestive system during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Irregular eating and living habits, coupled with a lack of immunity from vaccines, can lead to digestive illnesses among people during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Dr. Tran Huynh Tan, Medical Manager at VNVC Vaccination System, stated that there are many causes of digestive problems during the Lunar New Year. The cold weather during Tet slows down the body's natural immune response. During this time, people tend to socialize more, get less rest, and have irregular eating habits, leading to a weakened immune system. Tet foods are often pre-prepared and sometimes stored in the refrigerator for extended periods, easily causing digestive disorders.

Doctor Tan lists 6 bad habits that people can proactively adjust to prevent digestive diseases and enjoy the Lunar New Year without worry:

Not getting vaccinated proactively.

Some diseases that can be encountered during Tet include Rotavirus, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A. These bacteria and viruses can enter the body through contaminated food or in public areas that are not regularly cleaned and disinfected. Unvaccinated individuals have a much higher risk of contracting these diseases and experiencing complications. With Rotavirus, young children under 5 years old may experience severe diarrhea, and adults can be a source of infection for children.

As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, families should check their members' vaccination records to ensure any missing vaccinations are administered. Both children and adults need vaccinations to boost their immune systems and prevent infection. The Rotavirus vaccine should be given before 8 months of age, and some vaccines require booster shots after the basic schedule, such as typhoid (every 3 years) and cholera (every 2 years).

People get vaccinated at VNVC before the Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: VNVC

Eating too much fried food

Traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) meals often include fried spring rolls, stir-fried dishes, and other deep-fried foods. While these foods can be preserved for a long time, they slow down digestion, easily causing bloating and abdominal discomfort. Additionally, spicy foods can cause heartburn and stomach pain. Therefore, to ensure a healthy digestive system, people should limit fried foods and increase their intake of green vegetables, whole grains, and fresh fruits.

Store and reheat food multiple times.

During Tet (Vietnamese New Year), families often travel and entertain guests frequently, so they stock up on ready-made food for convenience and to save time on preparation. Common items include: sausages, spring rolls, pork rolls, char siu pork, cured meat, banh chung (square sticky rice cake), banh tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake)... However, if not properly stored and reused, these foods are easily contaminated with bacteria, causing digestive disorders and diarrhea.

People should avoid reheating food multiple times. If food appears moldy, has an unusual smell or taste, or has been stored in the refrigerator for too long, the family should not consume it. The medicine cabinet should be stocked with some digestive medications, rehydration solutions such as electrolytes and oral rehydration solution (ORS) to prevent diarrhea and dehydration from vomiting; digestive enzymes, anti-diarrheal medication, anti-bloating medication, and constipation medication, to be used as directed by a doctor.

A traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) meal. Photo: Huong Giang

Not drinking enough water

The drop in temperature during Tet (Lunar New Year) tends to cause people to drink less water. Dehydration makes it difficult for food to move through the intestines, which can lead to constipation.

According to Dr. Tan, people should pay attention to providing their bodies with enough water, which can be done through eating, drinking, and consuming juicy fruits. Drinking enough water every day will support detoxification and facilitate urination and defecation.

Stress

Cold weather can directly stress the digestive system, causing bloating, inflammation, and loss of appetite, and may even trigger cramps in the limbs. The pressure of salary and bonuses, and the chores of cleaning the house for Tet (Lunar New Year) also add to many people's worries and stress levels.

To reduce this stress, you should maintain a routine of gentle exercise such as yoga, meditation, or walking. Activities that you enjoy are also encouraged, such as listening to music, cooking, photography, dancing, etc.

Lack of sleep

Good sleep allows the body to restore itself to its optimal state. The hectic preparations for Tet (Lunar New Year) can lead to sleep deprivation, disrupting this healing process. Lack of sleep can increase stress levels, directly impacting gut health.

Therefore, it's important to take time to rest during Tet. Good sleep will help reduce stress, lessen cravings for snacks, and thus minimize digestive problems.

Nhat Linh

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/6-thoi-quen-anh-huong-he-tieu-hoa-dip-tet-4708966.html