Malnutrition due to using food stored in the refrigerator for a long time

Hanoi Mr. Trung, 80 years old, has digestive disorders and malnutrition due to regularly eating food that has been left in the refrigerator for a long time.

Mr. Trung lives alone, often cooks a pot of porridge, divides it into boxes, and keeps it in the refrigerator for 4 days; cooked savory dishes are used for the whole week.

On November 11, Dr. Vu Thi Thanh, Head of the Department of Nutrition, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that the patient lacked nutrients and had digestive disorders due to an unbalanced diet, high in carbohydrates, excess fat, and lack of protein and vitamins. The patient was malnourished but had excess body fat when analyzing the body mass index (BMI).

He suffered from heart failure, dyslipidemia, and gastric reflux, and medical treatment had not improved. An inappropriate diet was one of the reasons why the patient's underlying disease did not respond to the treatment regimen, according to Dr. Thanh.

The doctor prescribed medication and created a scientific diet to help the patient gain muscle, improve the immune system, improve physical condition, and respond to treatment for underlying diseases. After three days, the patient's digestive disorders were gone, and malnutrition could be improved after a month if the regimen was followed.

Previously, Ms. Hang, 78 years old, was also hospitalized due to digestive disorders, malnutrition, lack of muscle mass, and excess fat. She lives alone and only cooks simple dishes. Most of the food is bought from restaurants or her children and grandchildren who live far away cook it in advance and store it in the refrigerator for her to eat gradually.

Dr. Thanh said these are two of many elderly people who are malnourished and have digestive disorders due to improper eating. Food left in the refrigerator for a long time can lose nutrients and is not hygienic. Refrigerators contain many harmful bacteria, and improper use can cause poisoning. Living bacteria can penetrate and spoil food. Boiled or cooked food can still be harmful.

Some principles for preserving cooked food in the refrigerator include classifying and arranging food, keeping separate compartments for each type; needing to box or wrap in plastic and put in the refrigerator; suitable temperature for storage in the cool compartment is from 1.7 to minus 5 degrees Celsius.

Food should be boxed or wrapped in plastic before being put in the refrigerator. Photo: Freepik — Food should be boxed or wrapped in plastic before being put in the refrigerator. Photo: *Freepik*

Families should not overload the refrigerator with food. Cooked foods such as fish, seafood (stews) stored in the refrigerator should be used within two days. Cooked poultry and soups can be stored for 4 days. Ham stored in the refrigerator can be kept for 4-6 days, in the freezer for about 10 days.

Do not leave cooked vegetables overnight, avoid leaving cooked food at room temperature for more than 4 hours. Cooked food should be reheated before serving. Keep the refrigerator clean and hygienic.

Viet An

* Patient's name has been changed

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