GOOD dining habits are vitally important to a person's health, Chen Zhonghui, a renowned nutritionist, told a large audience at the Shenzhen Grand Theater on Saturday.

According to Chen, 60 percent of diseases are caused by an unhealthy life style, while only 15 percent are genetically based.

A human being's main sources of nutrition are protein, fat, carbohydrate, mineral elements, salt, vitamin and water. People should try to get nutrition from foods, instead of tonics, said Chen, who worked as nutritionist for China's State and provincial leaders for more than a decade and co-wrote a popular health guidebook.

When asked how he stays healthy, Chen said he eats "everything." One should not be choosy about food, he said. Chen also pointed out several ordinary unhealthy dining habits, such as eating only flour and rice and refusing to eat coarse grains; eating only appetizers and refusing to eat entrees; and eating only fruit and refusing to eat vegetables.

Chen said foods should be clean and fresh, and their nutritional elements should be preserved as much as possible while preparing and cooking them. For example, wash vegetables before shredding them so as to avoid washing vitamins away. Northern Chinese like to eat braised vegetables in the winter, but braising them robs the vegetables of their nutrition.

Chen also stressed the importance of eating at proper time. Shenzheners often have simple breakfasts, quick lunchs and large suppers. Chen said these eating habits are unhealthy and a major cause of obesity.

It's better to eat an early and nutritious breakfast and eat modest portions in the evening, said Chen.

Contrary to many calcium-supplement advertisements, Chen said people will not suffer from insufficient calcium if they have enough soybeans, milk and sunshine.

 
Edior