Posted by Web on Friday, June 21, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Submitted by Alex Yu
As the days get warmer, nature springs to life with new blooms, leaves and shoots. For food, our diet should change naturally like the seasons. As we welcome the summer, four tips for warm-weather eating will keep your body fit and in the best state possible.
1. Five grains to nourish the spleen
Barley. (Image courtesy of Flickr user ZakVTA.)
Spring weather affects the liver or “wood” element, reducing the hot yang energy or “qi.” Reduced liver energy could cause diarrhea and upset stomach. The “Medical Treasures of the Golden Chamber” describes how liver diseases are caused by the spleen and that the spleen needs to be nourished first. Warmer weather is the right time to eat more grains to strengthen the spleen’s functions. The five grains include barley, beans, millet, rice and sorghum. Greater intake of grains can limit the loss of qi from the liver and prevent upset stomach.
2. Less sour, more sweet
Honey. (Image courtesy of Flickr user Moosicorn.)
For the 72 days of spring, reduced intake of sour foods while eating more sweets will nourish the spleen’s energy, according to the “Thousand Golden Prescriptions for Emergencies.” Prepare meals with less acidic condiments and foods, and add more sweet ingredients instead. This will ease the lethargy frequently associated with spring and warmer weather.
3. Five greens a day
Scallions. (Image courtesy of Flickr user I Believe I Can Fry.)
Five green vegetables are deemed sufficient for dietary intake, according to the “Huangdi Neijing” or the “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon.” As the liver is more affected by the yang energy in spring, seasonal vegetables should be consumed. These include onions, chives, spinach, mustard and tarragon — among other greens — which will strengthen spleen functions and nourish the liver. Eating your vegetables will ward off spring ailments, as temperatures fluctuate.
4. Avoid ice
Smoothies. (Image courtesy of Flickr user TinyTall.)
As the days get warmer, it is important to nourish the hot yang energy and avoid the cold. The first chilly half of spring means the lower extremities are cold rather than warm, while the upper torso is less exposed, so it is important to nourish the hot yang and generate energy, according to “Laolao Hengyan” or “Advice from Elder Cao Qingdong.” As we enjoy more outdoor activities in the warm weather, this strengthens the spleen. However, the lower body should be covered for warmth, and iced food and drink should be avoided. This will prevent yang energy from being suppressed and disrupting the body’s natural flow of energy.
Taking appropriate wellness measures are essential for health, especially as the seasons change. Paying attention to what you eat by season will maintain your body’s defenses for good health.
Alex Yu is a registered Chinese medicine practitioner in Hong Kong and a doctoral candidate of the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. He holds a master’s degree in Chinese medicine and bachelor’s degree in Chinese medicine and science from Hong Kong Baptist University.