Why 'Eating Less' Is Important in Middle Age?

The Era of 0.5 Servings of Jajangmyeon... Why Eating 'Less' Is Important in Middle Age?

Digestive juices decrease after age 40... Excessive calorie intake causes various diseases

 

These days, eating less is becoming a trend. Even on trend-conscious television, "small eaters" are gaining popularity. It offers a double benefit: taking care of your health and saving money. In particular, those over 40, when the digestive system begins to age, must practice moderation anyway, as overeating causes stomach discomfort. Let’s revisit why eating less is important in middle age.

 

◆ '0.5-Serving Specialty Shops' Have Opened... Half the Portion and Half the Price. Why?

News has recently emerged that "0.5-serving specialty shops" have opened. All the food items are half the usual portion size and price. A bowl of Jajangmyeon reportedly costs 2,900 won. Some companies have also appeared that offer lunch boxes with roughly half the amount of rice. While soaring prices have fueled this trend, health reasons cannot be ignored either. Driven by the diet craze, an increasing number of people are trying to reduce their intake of carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice, noodles, and bread. The explanation is that they created 0.5-serving portions specifically because a significant number of people were leaving food uneaten.

 

◆ Bread Prices Raised Again… “Let’s Eat Less for Our Health”

The cost of food ingredients is also contributing to inflation. Prices rise overnight. As the prices of dining-out items such as various types of bread and hamburgers increase, more people are taking this opportunity to reduce their consumption of bread. While the cost is a concern, they are also prioritizing their health. Nearly 90% of bread relies on imported flour, and various ingredients like sugar and salt are added during factory production. Although whole grains are healthy, they are less popular due to their inferior taste. A trend of eating less is sweeping through flour-based foods.

 

◆ Those over 40 should eat less… Reduced digestive juices and excess calories increase the risk of disease

Aging begins after the age of 40. Aging is not limited to just skin wrinkles. Presbyopia may develop early, and internal organs also gradually age. Digestive fluids are one such example. The production of digestive juices, which are fundamental for aiding food digestion, decreases, as does bile, which is involved in the breakdown and digestion of fats. Digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas also decline. If your body’s ability to digest food has diminished but you consume large amounts of food as you would in your 20s or 30s, your body may feel bloated. When digestion begins to fail, it is your body’s warning signal to eat less.

 

◆ Gluttony Remains the Same Even in Old Age… The Root Cause of All Diseases

There are cases where one's internal body changes with age, yet one's appetite remains unchanged. Overeating leads to an accumulation of excess calories, causing weight gain and potentially triggering various diseases such as inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. These are illnesses that could have been sufficiently prevented if one had practiced moderation in eating beforehand. The calories consumed through food must be fully burned through physical activity. It is common sense that this is the only way to stay healthy. If you do not have time to exercise, you must at least eat less.

 

◆ Even when eating small portions, you must ensure you get essential nutrients… Eggs, anchovies, vegetables, fruits, etc.

Even eating small portions requires proper management. If you eat only rice with leftovers from the refrigerator, you may become deficient in essential nutrients. You must consume foods containing the protein needed for muscles (meat, eggs, beans, tofu, etc.), calcium to protect bones (anchovies, fish, spinach, Swiss chard, dairy products, etc.), vitamins (vegetables, fruits, etc.), and an appropriate balance of carbohydrates and fats. This is because carbohydrates, such as rice, serve as the body's energy source and are also involved in brain function. Even if food prices have risen, consuming foods rich in essential nutrients contributes to a healthy lifespan. We live in an era where we must spend money on our bodies.

 

 

It is true that you should eat sparingly once you are over 40.

I guess I still have a craving for food, haha.

Eating only half a bowl of jajangmyeon? Haha. It's possible if you share, though.

I think it would be a shame to stop after eating only half, haha.

Eating less is the answer for your health.