Summer has come to a close and with that nature moves its essence inward and downward. The forces of fall also produces dryness, which creates a period of time to draw inward and gather on all levels. For you this means a focus on planning for the approaching stillness of winter, which requires storing up on fuel.
How to Eat with the Changing Season
This is lung season, and since the spleen feeds the lungs it’s important for everyone to eat foods that support the spleen. You should stay far away from fatty, oily, fried foods, and cold dairy products. These foods obstruct the spleen and make your system very unhappy. Instead, eat foods like carrots, potatoes, and cabbage prepared in the form of warm, nourishing soups.
You also want to focus on eating foods that help draw in and concentrate energy, such as:
- Sauerkraut
- Olives
- Pickles
- Leeks
- Rose hips tea
Don’t Dry Out!
Because this is the season of dryness, you should counter this with foods that treat dryness of the body, like your skin and lips. These include:
- Spinach
- Barley
- Pear
- Persimmon
- Almonds (without skin)
- Crab, mussels, herring, pork – only in small amounts!
Fall Cooking Methods
Unlike summer, where you can eat more raw foods – raw foods should now be avoided, because this is very hard on the spleen. When preparing fall meals, be sure to cook:
- with less water
- at lower temperatures
- for longer periods of time
- with just a little salt
Counteract the Common Cold Quickly
Feel like you’re coming down with something? For inner cold, shivering, or the beginnings of a cold, use small amounts of garlic, cinnamon, ginger, and onions. These foods help to stimulate Qi circulation and rapidly bring defense energy to the surface to combat illness.
Special Considerations
These are very basic guidelines and some of these foods may not work well with your individual health and digestive system. To truly make sure you’re balanced and energized this season, it’s always best to have a personalized nutrition plan designed for you. You can call 303-834-9188 to schedule a Chinese nutrition consultation.