SCIENTIFIC TET HOLIDAY NUTRITION FOR CHRONIC DISEASE PATIENTS
Unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits during the Tet holiday can make chronic diseases more challenging to manage, directly affecting patients' health. Learn nutrition tips from CarePlus doctors today!
1/23/2025 11:14:47 AM
🎋 Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a time for family reunions and traditional feasts that take center stage in celebrations. However, for individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or cardiovascular conditions, maintaining an appropriate diet during Tet is not just a challenge but a critical factor in managing their health.
👉 Let’s explore essential Tet nutrition tips with MSc. Dr. Nguyen Phuong Anh - Nutrition Specialist at the CarePlus International Clinics, to help chronic disease patients enjoy a happy, safe, and healthy holiday.
🍻 According to Dr. Phuong Anh, Tet is a time for family gatherings, enjoying traditional dishes, and engaging in festive activities. However, changes in eating and lifestyle habits during this period can make chronic diseases more difficult to control. To ensure good health and a fulfilling Tet celebration, refer to the tips below.
1/ Why does the Tet diet make chronic diseases harder to manage?
🔸 Foods high in fat, salt, and sugar: Traditional dishes such as Chung cake, braised pork, sausages, pickled vegetables, and scallion bulbs are often rich in saturated fat, salt, and sugar. These ingredients are known contributors to the worsening of chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
🔸 Prone to weight gain: Overeating calorie-dense foods and reduced physical activity during Tet can lead to uncontrolled weight gain, which significantly impacts chronic disease management.
🔸 Irregular eating habits: Overeating in one meal, skipping meals, or eating at irregular hours can disrupt digestion, increase blood sugar levels, and hinder the management of chronic illnesses.
🔸 Alcohol consumption: Festive parties during Tet often involve heavy drinking. Excessive alcohol intake can raise blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, and place additional strain on the liver and kidneys, exacerbating existing conditions.
2/ Effective ways to manage your diet during Tet
🔹 Limit fatty, salty, and sugary dishes: Enjoy traditional foods like Chung cake, fatty meat, candied fruits, and pickles in small portions, paired with plenty of fresh vegetables.
🔹 Moderate alcohol consumption: Limit your intake to no more than one 330ml beer can per day for women and two for men.
🔹 Control your calorie intake: You can still savor Tet delicacies while ensuring your calorie consumption remains balanced. Here are the average caloric values of common Tet foods:
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1 bowl of rice with moderate sides: 350 kcal
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1 piece of Chung cake (1/8 of a medium-sized cake): 350 kcal
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1 can of soda or 330ml beer: 150 kcal
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1 handful of roasted watermelon seeds: 50 kcal
For instance, if your usual meal includes two bowls of rice, consider substituting one bowl with a portion of Chung cake, which has a similar caloric value, ideally during the same meal.
🔹 Stick to your regular routine: Tet often disrupts daily routines with excessive calorie consumption, increased alcohol intake, and reduced exercise. To manage chronic conditions effectively, try to maintain your usual habits as much as possible, including regular mealtimes, sleep patterns, and physical activity.
📈 Tet is not only a time of joy but also an opportunity to reflect on your health and that of your loved ones. Adopting a balanced and scientific diet during the holiday will not only provide peace of mind for chronic disease patients but also allow the entire family to enjoy a truly fulfilling celebration.
👉 To schedule a consultation and receive personalized nutrition advice for chronic disease management, please call our free hotline at 1800 6116.
CAREPLUS INTERNATIONAL CLINICS
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