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Summary of article:
Doctors remind the elderly that eating vegetables overnight can cause gastroenteritis or food poisoning if they are not stored properly. Additionally, they should also pay attention to nutritional deficiencies, dental and swallowing problems, and avoid dietary traps that may harm their health.
A couple in their 70s is used to eating out at noon and taking home endless buffet dishes for dinner. Although it has the virtue of “no food waste”, the doctor warned that if it is not stored properly, it can breed bacteria and accumulate nitrites, and even produce toxins that cannot be completely removed by heating, causing gastroenteritis or food poisoning.
Jiaji Food Group announced the results of the “2026 Elderly Food Nutrition Survey” on the 9th. It found that 93% of front-line caregivers believe that the elderly lack correct food preservation concepts, and 92.2% reported that dental and swallowing problems affect their diet. If mouth restrictions are imposed and excessive dietary restrictions are imposed, the more food eaten, the less food will be consumed, leading to inadequate intake of calories, protein and other nutrients.
The survey was disseminated by the Geese Health and Nutrition Research Institute in partnership with civil society organizations and community nutrition units. It covered 19 counties and cities in Taiwan and was completed by 529 front-line caregivers. The results showed that 91.9% of respondents believed that their elders had insufficient knowledge about daily nutrition, 67.8% observed that the elderly usually eat alone, and 84.8% believed that the elderly who eat alone are victims of poor food management, which affects their healthy diet.
Dr. Cai Mengxiu, an expert in geriatrics and family medicine, said that when assessing the nutritional status of the elderly, in addition to checking whether the three meals are normal, it is also necessary to understand whether they are able to buy and prepare food, as well as chewing and swallowing, memory and emotional state. They cited three common pitfalls of home-based diets for the elderly, including frequent accumulation of leftovers, eating too frequently, and excessive dietary restrictions due to poor teeth or chronic diseases.
Cai Mengxiu took “Overnight Dishes” as an example. Many people consider the refrigerator to be a sterilization box and the food placed in it is invincible. In fact, the low temperature environment of the refrigerator can slow the reproduction rate of most bacteria and mold, but cannot kill them completely. In particular, some cold-resistant psychrotrophic bacteria can still grow and reproduce at low temperatures in refrigeration. The most famous and dangerous “refrigerator killer” is Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause severe food poisoning if ingested.
Another concern is inadequate nutritional intake. Cai Mengxiu pointed out that due to the inconvenience of shopping and difficult cooking, some elderly people only eat a certain type of food for a long time, and even cook food in a large pot and eat it for several days. Research in Taiwan shows that one in five elderly do not consume 75% of the recommended protein intake. Long-term deficiency can increase the risk of sarcopenia and disability.
Huang Jingxiu, a nutritionist at the Department of Nutritional Medicine of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, said that many elderly people are accustomed to waiting for food to cool completely before putting it in the refrigerator. In fact, cooked food should be packed and refrigerated as soon as possible, and it should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The refrigerator should not be overcrowded. It is recommended to keep it about 70% full. Raw and cooked food should be stored separately. Cooked food should be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Master the principle of “maintaining 70% full” to ensure air conditioning circulation and apply the principle of “first in, first out” to prevent expiration. Raw food and cooked food should also be separated in food storage boxes or plastic wrap.
Huang Jingxiu suggests that people with poor dental health can choose boiled fish, tofu, boiled eggs and soft vegetables to maintain nutritional intake by adjusting the texture of food. People suffering from dysphagia will need to undergo professional assessment and adjust the texture and method of eating. To maintain the taste and enjoyment of the food, they can cut it into small pieces using scissors. It is not necessary to puree all the food, which increases the risk of sticking in the throat.
Summary FAQ
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Because the refrigerator can only slow down the reproduction of bacteria and mold, but cannot eliminate it completely. If it is not stored properly, it can still breed bacteria, accumulate nitrites, and even produce toxins that are difficult to remove when heated, which can cause gastroenteritis or food poisoning.
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The survey revealed that 93% of caregivers believed that their elders lacked correct concepts of conservation, 92.2% reported that teeth and swallowing problems affect diet, and 91.9% believed that nutritional knowledge was inadequate. 67.8% observed that their elders often eat alone.
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It is advisable to refrigerate cooked food as soon as possible after packaging. Room temperature should not exceed 2 hours. Keep the refrigerator about 70% full and keep raw and cooked foods separate. If your teeth are not good, you can choose boiled fish, tofu, boiled eggs and soft vegetables. If you are having difficulty swallowing, seek a professional evaluation first.
