HANGZHOU, China — For most people, the recipe for a long life involves bland meals, strict dietary rules, and avoiding indulgence. But Lu Shizeng, a 101-year-old resident of Liangshan Village in Daxi Town, Wenling, Zhejiang Province, is rewriting that narrative with a routine that includes whole crates of soda, a splash of liquor in his Sprite, and a plate of crab he cleans to the last bite.
Born on September 7, 1926, Lu is a great-grandfather who lives with his wife, two sons, and a daughter. While one son resides in Beijing and another runs a factory in Daxi, Lu’s daily care is managed by a hired caregiver, Wang Ayi, who describes her charge as having “good teeth, a hearty appetite, and an unwavering love for white rice.”
“He eats rice at every meal and never tires of it,” Wang said. “He can finish a small bowl of rice and a whole plate of swimming crab without any trouble.”
A Sweet Tooth and a Soda Habit
Lu’s pantry looks less like a centenarian’s larder and more like a teenager’s snack stash. His second-floor kitchen is stocked with full crates of Sprite and cola, and his fridge holds half a bottle of chilled Sprite. “Chilled Sprite tastes sweeter,” he says with a chuckle, revealing his signature drink: ice-cold Sprite laced with a few drops of white liquor, enjoyed in small sips during meals.
His sweet tooth extends beyond soda. Watermelon, tangerines, and pears are among his favorite fruits. Despite his fondness for sugary treats, Lu rarely eats vegetables. Instead, his diet centers on white rice—which he eats at every meal—alongside generous portions of seafood. According to Wang Ayi, he can finish a full plate of swimming crab and still ask for more rice.
A Routine Built on Pleasure, Not Restriction
Lu’s approach to food is both indulgent and deliberate. Every five days, he takes a rickshaw to the local market in town to stock up on fish, shrimp, crab, pork, and seasonal vegetables. Vendors know him well; many say he looks no older than 80 and often ask to take photos with him, making him something of a local celebrity. Until last year, Lu still cycled to the market on a tricycle, but after a fall in the first half of the year, his family stopped him from riding and gardening.
“In my view, eating well and living well is the most important thing,” Lu said with a hearty laugh. “I still have some savings, and most of it goes to food.” He claims he can tell at a glance whether fish, shrimp, or crab is fresh—and he admits he eats vegetables far less often than seafood. His diet centers on rice, which he never tires of, and he enjoys a small bowl with every meal. A whole plate of swimming crab is not a challenge for him.
His beverage of choice is unexpected: chilled Sprite with a few drops of white liquor. “Ice-cold Sprite tastes sweeter,” he says, adding that he sips the mix with meals for a pleasant buzz. Sweet fruits like watermelon, tangerines, and pears are staples in his home, and his second-floor kitchen is stocked with cases of Sprite and cola. He also keeps an open bottle of chilled Sprite in the fridge at all times.
Despite his sweet tooth, Lu maintains a sharp palate. Every five days, he takes a rickshaw to the local market in Daxi Town to stock up on fish, shrimp, crab, pork, and seasonal vegetables—enough to last five days. Vendors, who often mistake him for an octogenarian, routinely stop him for photos, making him a local celebrity at the market. Until earlier this year, Lu still rode a tricycle to shop and tended his vegetable garden, but a fall slowed him down, prompting his family to restrict his outdoor activities.
“I can tell within one bite whether seafood is fresh,” Lu said proudly. Despite his love for sweet fruits like watermelon, tangerines, and pears, he admits he eats vegetables sparingly. His indulgence extends to beverages: he keeps cases of Sprite and cola on the second floor of his home and enjoys a chilled glass mixed with a few drops of white liquor at meals. “Ice-cold Sprite tastes sweeter,” he said with a chuckle.
His caregiver confirms that Lu’s appetite remains robust. “He eats rice at every meal and never tires of it,” Wang said. “He can finish a small bowl of rice and a whole plate of swimming crab.” Lu visits the town market every five days by rickshaw to stock up on fish, shrimp, crab, pork, and seasonal vegetables—though he admits he eats vegetables sparingly. Vendors often mistake him for an octogenarian and regularly ask for photos with the local celebrity.
Lu’s routine is as consistent as his appetite. He wakes around 4:30 a.m., stays in bed stretching until 6 a.m., and enjoys a midday nap in a rattan chair. Twice daily, he uses a massage chair for 15-minute sessions—a habit his daughter-in-law introduced six or seven years ago. He sleeps by 8 p.m. after a light dinner and a pear, and rises before dawn.
“I rarely catch colds. My blood pressure is low, and all my health indicators are stable,” Lu said in a recent interview with Hangzhou Net. He also receives 800 yuan (about USD 110) in monthly senior subsidies from the government, which he calls “a blessing.” His spending, however, is mostly directed to the market: every five days, he takes a rickshaw to the local bazaar to buy fresh fish, shrimp, crab, pork, and seasonal vegetables—though he admits he eats fewer vegetables than seafood.
“To me, eating well and living well is the top priority,” Lu said with a chuckle. “I still have some savings, and most of it goes to food.” He claims he can tell whether seafood is fresh in a single bite. Market vendors, who often stop him for photos, say he looks at least 20 years younger than his age.
His daily routine is equally distinctive. He wakes at 4 a.m., stays in bed stretching until 6 a.m., enjoys a midday nap in a rattan chair, and uses a massage chair twice daily—a habit he has kept for years. He is asleep by 8 p.m. and rises before dawn. His diet remains rich in carbohydrates and protein, with little emphasis on vegetables, yet he reports rarely catching colds and maintains low blood pressure.
“In my view, eating well and living well are the most important things,” Lu said cheerfully. “I still have some savings, and most of it goes to food.” He receives 800 yuan (about $110 USD) in monthly senior subsidies from the government.
Health experts note that while Lu’s habits defy conventional advice, his consistent routine, moderate portions, and active social life may be just as significant. “Longevity is complex; genetics, environment, and mental outlook all play roles,” said a geriatric specialist familiar with the case. “What works for one person may not work for another.”
Lu’s story challenges the assumption that longevity demands sacrifice. His advice, delivered with a chuckle: “Eating well and living well is the top priority. I can still remember my youth clearly, and I rarely catch a cold. My blood pressure is on the low side, and all my health indicators are stable. The family takes good care of me, and the government gives me 800 yuan a month as a senior subsidy—I am very happy.”