In order to maintain a healthy digestive system according to Chinese Medicine there are a few basic principles to follow.
*Stay away from any cold or raw foods. This includes, raw vegetables such as large salads, smoothies, cold sandwiches, raw fruit, raw nuts, yogurt, ice cream, beer, cold beverages, and unheated leftovers to name a few. basically any other food that is cold in temperature or uncooked.
These foods are harder to digest and can weaken our digestive tracts over time and create imbalances and illness.
*Chinese medicine recommends white rice over brown rice. White rice is tonifying in nature and easy to digest and boosts your digestive system. Brown rice is viewed as more scouring and hard to digest.
*Keep your tummy warm. Tuck your shirt in. No belly shirts. Belly shirts leave a draft at the midriff which can potentially be a source of cold and irritation to the digestive tract as well as weaken the overall immune system.
*Eat regularly and moderately. Chinese Medicine recommends that you not overeat or go too long periods while feeling hungry.
*Eat greasy and spicy foods in moderation.
*Don’t eat too close to bedtime. Be sure to leave at least an hour or more between your last food intake and when you go to bed.
*Stay away from dairy as much as possible. Dairy creates dampness and phlegm and weakens our digestive tracts.
*Chinese Medicine recommends eating animal protein. Those who have a menstrual cycle will especially benefit from keeping meat in their diet on a regular basis.
Peoples Acupuncture Seasonal dietary guide
These dietary recommendations are specific to Asheville. Those living in more warm or tropical areas will be able to eat more cold and raw foods year round. Those living in colder regions may have to be more cautious during the transitional seasons of fall and spring and avoid cold raw foods for more of the year.
Winter – This is the most important time of the year to eat warm foods. Absolutely stay away from cold and raw foods as much as possible during this time. Stick to stews and soups and warm beverages.
Spring – You can start to introduce some raw and cold foods this time of year. Pick the warmer spring days to have a small side salad along with your cooked vegetables and proteins. On the cooler days continue to eat mainly cooked and warm foods.
Summer – This is the best time and really only time of year to eat raw and cold foods. It is still best not to overdo them. With the A/C coming on we continue to subject our systems to cold temperatures and our digestive tracts still need warm and cooked foods to stay in healthy balance. Of course watermelon and cold refreshing beverages are a must on those hot days outside just don’t overdo it!
Fall – During the fall start introducing a lot more warm cooked foods back into your diet and phasing out the colder raw items. On colder days eat warmer foods, on warmer days you can be more flexible. Overall work on transitioning towards the winter diet.
