On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the moon is full and bright.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes are fragrant and sweet.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the festive atmosphere and family gatherings often feature these delicious mooncakes.
However, while mooncakes are tasty, they should not be eaten recklessly!
Consuming too many can lead to weight gain
and even increased blood sugar levels, posing potential health risks.
So, how can we enjoy mooncakes while maintaining a healthy diet?
Hainan Chengmei Hospital’s Nutrition and Weight Loss Clinic offers tips on the best ways to enjoy mooncakes this Mid-Autumn Festival.
Cut and Share
Mooncakes are rich in calories, fat, and sugar. During family reunions, its best to cut mooncakes into smaller portions and share them with others. This way, everyone can try different flavors while controlling calorie intake, allowing you to enjoy both the festive food and the joy of family togetherness.
Suggestion: Limit consumption to no more than one mooncake per day.
Pairing for Balance
Mooncakes are sweet and can feel heavy if eaten in large amounts. Pairing them with tea during the Mid-Autumn Festival is a perfect match. A cup of strong, fragrant tea can aid digestion, lighten the burden on the stomach, and cut through the richness of the mooncake. Alternatively, pair mooncakes with sour fruits or fresh vegetables for a balanced experience.
Suggestion: Avoid pairing mooncakes with sugary drinks or porridge, as this can rapidly raise blood sugar levels.
Eat Between Meals
Try not to eat mooncakes as a breakfast or main meal. The best time to enjoy them is between meals. During regular meals, reduce your intake of staple foods accordingly. There are two times you should avoid eating mooncakes: in the morning right after waking up (eating on an empty stomach can trigger acid reflux by stimulating stomach acid) and before bedtime (mooncakes are hard to digest and can lead to weight gain).
Suggestion: Treat mooncakes as a snack.
People Who Should Limit Mooncake Consumption
1. Diabetics
Diabetics should opt for mooncakes with relatively lower calorie content and avoid treating them as snacks. Instead, mooncakes should replace part of the main meal. If you eat mooncakes on a given day, reduce your intake of rice and fats to balance your overall diet.
2. Patients with Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, or Coronary Heart Disease
The sugar and fats in mooncakes can increase blood viscosity, worsening heart ischemia. Those with hypertension, high cholesterol, or coronary heart disease should only have a small taste and refrain from overeating. Egg yolk mooncakes are particularly high in cholesterol, so individuals with high cholesterol should consume them sparingly. Additionally, "salty" mooncakes, such as meat-filled mooncakes, should be avoided by those with high blood pressure.
3. Patients with Digestive Disorders
Mooncakes contain high amounts of sugar and fat, which are difficult to digest and can stimulate excessive stomach acid production, aggravating conditions like peptic ulcers.
1. Patients with Cholecystitis, Gallstones, or Pancreatitis
These individuals should avoid mooncakes, as consuming them can stimulate bile secretion, leading to gallbladder pain, upper abdominal pain, or pancreatitis flare-ups.
2. Overweight Individuals
Mooncakes are typically high in calories, so those who are overweight or obese should limit their intake.
This content is for health education purposes only
and should not be used for clinical diagnosis or as a medical reference
If there are any issues with text, images, or videos involving infringement or violations
please notify us for prompt removal
Editor | Huang Fei