Cómo gestionar las sobras del Año Nuevo Chino para cuidar tu digestión

Title: How to Manage Chinese New Year Leftovers to Care for Your Digestion Profile: During the Chinese New Year, carefully manage leftovers to avoid foodborne illnesses and follow safe storage advice. Keywords: ['Food Safety', 'Leftover Management'] 1. Beijing Municipal People's Government. Guide for the Prevention and Control of Norovirus in Winter! Source: Beijing Health and Wellness Commission. 2. Fujian Province Health and Wellness Commission. Safe Food Consumption Tips During the Spring Festival for a Healthy and Happy New Year Celebration. Source: China Food Safety. 3. Can Leftover Food from the Spring Festival Be Eaten? Rules for Managing Leftover Dishes, Share with Family. Source: CCTV News.

During the Spring Festival, it is common to find half a fish, a tray of pickled foods, or a variety of fried dishes in the refrigerator. Following the tradition of "economy and thrift," these leftovers, which have been stored promptly in the refrigerator, become the "highlights" of the following days. However, the occasional occurrence of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even fever is often related to these leftovers. During the Spring Festival, an abundance of food and shared meals prolongs the storage time of certain dishes, which also significantly increases the risk of acute gastroenteritis and food discomfort. Therefore, to ensure "safety on the plate," it is essential to begin with scientific management of leftovers.

Why does the digestive system become "sensitive" during the Spring Festival?

1. Food overload and structural imbalance: During spring, it is common to irregularly consume large amounts of high-fat and high-protein foods (such as meats and fish), which exceed the normal digestive capacity of the stomach and intestines. At the same time, the relative decrease in the intake of vegetables and fruits, as well as a lack of dietary fiber, also contributes to a decrease in intestinal motility.

2. The risk of "banquet leftovers": Leftover dishes, especially some raw seafood, salads, pickled foods, soy products, and soupy dishes, are prone to developing bacteria (such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, among others) or generating harmful substances during storage and reheating. A refrigerator is not a sterilizer; it can only delay bacterial growth.

3. There is also the virus of "social contamination": winter and spring are seasons of high incidence of infectious gastroenteritis, such as the norovirus. Viruses spread easily through contaminated food, water sources, or person-to-person contact. Especially during group meals, the risk of infection increases significantly. Using public chopsticks and spoons is the simplest and most effective way to prevent transmission. This is particularly important for infants and children, as adults have greater resistance to intestinal viruses, while infants and children have much weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible. This is why, at the same table, individuals consuming the same dishes may experience stomach discomfort, especially children and those with leaner bodies.

II. The "signals" of acute gastroenteritis.

The main manifestations of acute gastroenteritis include: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea (with liquid stools), fever, and fatigue, among others. In severe cases, dehydration may occur due to vomiting and diarrhea, manifesting as dry mouth, decreased urination, sunken eyes, and lethargy. In infants and small children, there may be crying without tears and sunken fontanelle, requiring special attention. Knowing these symptomatic signals helps us identify and respond quickly to the situation.

Three: A Manual on Scientific Management of Leftovers.

1. Less is more, prepare according to need: when cooking, estimate the amount your family will eat and try to avoid having too much food left over. This is the most basic solution.

"Organize and store while hot": After the banquet ends, it is advisable (preferably within 2 hours) to seal the leftovers that need to be kept in airtight containers or cling film and place them in the refrigerator. It is important not to let food cool to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator, as room temperature is a breeding ground for rapid bacterial proliferation.

3. Master the "expiration date": leafy vegetables, cold salads, seafood, and soy milk are recommended to be consumed in the same meal; it is best not to leave them for the next day.

Meat and poultry dishes should be refrigerated for no more than 24 hours.

Leftover rice is prone to the proliferation of Bacillus cereus, so it should be refrigerated as soon as possible. Before consuming it again, it must be thoroughly reheated. Additionally, if rice is cooked and left to cool slightly before refrigeration overnight, reheating or stir-frying the next day will significantly reduce the glycemic index. This is not only very beneficial for stabilizing blood sugar levels but also the essence of why fried rice should be made with day-old rice and is key to satiating hunger, as the starch in the rice converts to resistant starch and dietary fiber.

Reheating must be "hot in the center": before consuming leftovers, it is necessary to reheat thoroughly, ensuring that the temperature in the center of the food reaches above 70℃ and maintaining a boil or stir for 3-5 minutes. When reheating in the microwave, it is important to move the food to avoid some areas not heating sufficiently. Foods like soups should boil completely.

Using public chopsticks and spoons, a "firewall" for health: actively using public chopsticks and spoons during group meals can greatly reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses. This is also an important hygiene practice to protect family members, especially the elderly and children.

If you really don't feel well, what should you do?

1. Management of mild cases: stop immediately the intake of suspected foods and fatty meals. Pay attention to rest and hydration; you can drink an oral rehydration salt solution to correct dehydration. In the early stages, it is not recommended to take strong anti-diarrheals immediately, so as not to interfere with the elimination of pathogens.

2. Signals to seek timely medical attention: If high fever persists, frequent vomiting hinders fluid intake, severe diarrhea shows evident signs of dehydration, bloody stools, or if the patient is an infant, pregnant woman, elderly person, or someone with pre-existing health conditions, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.

Finally: health is also the most enduring flavor of the year.

The Spring Festival leaves memories filled with flavor and laughter. The joy of the Chinese New Year also relies on physical and mental comfort. After all, no one likes to suffer the consequences of indigestion after a banquet. Proper planning before and during meals, as well as understanding proper food preservation, is one's responsibility for health and an act of love towards family.