[Simple Health Tips]
As I get older, I suddenly realize that the list of things I feel I must eat or drink keeps growing. That said, my appetite has shrunk compared to before, and I can't eat as much as I used to. Yet, there are still times when I crave things I don't really need to eat! It's a daily struggle.
One thing often emphasized for both women and men past 50 is “protein.” Why? Because aging reduces digestive enzyme activity, making it harder for the body to properly utilize protein. Plus, as health awareness grows, people tend to cut back on meat and oils, shifting to vegetable-centered diets, which often means lower protein intake. This can lead to muscle loss, skin and hair issues, declining brain function, and an increased risk of frailty. While protein is strongly associated with muscle, it's also important to know that it impacts the brain and psychological well-being.
Since we're going to eat it anyway, I wanted to consume it efficiently and did a little research. What surprised me was that the daily required protein intake should be spread across three meals, not consumed all at once in one sitting. Consuming too much in one sitting just leads to excess calories being excreted, so this is important information to remember. Moreover, protein at breakfast is especially effective for building muscle. Come to think of it, my grandmother, who was still energetic in her 90s, ate meat for breakfast. However, since I'm long past my growing years, I can't eat meat or fish at every meal. So, I've started adding small amounts here and there to each meal. I'll incorporate tofu, natto, milk, cheese, chikuwa fish cakes, bonito flakes, whitebait, and protein powder. Eggs are also a super handy ingredient, perfect for on-the-go. I highly recommend trying this “little extra addition” lifestyle.
Matsuyama Tokojo's Atatamenabe L, which our staff also loves, is just the right size to hold four eggs. Watching the eggs simmering away in the pot is so adorable, I always end up staring at them. You can also turn boiled eggs into simmered eggs. I fell in love at first sight with this pot's plump form and bought it on impulse, but it's proven far more useful than I expected. I use it to make just the right amount of simmered beans, brew herbal teas, and soon it'll be perfect for dissolving sake lees to make sweet sake. We all want our daily routines to be as calm and healthy as possible. May you find your own favorite companion! We look forward to seeing you at our Ginza Showroom.
Matsuyama Tokojo's Atatamenabe L
https://www.shokunin.com/en/matsuyama/
Ginza Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html
References
https://www.kamaboko.com/fishprotein/articles/intake/
https://www.nipponham.co.jp/tanpaku-mirai/enjoy/02/
