Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical system thousands of years old and incorporates many different modalities.  Traditional Chinese Medicine theory emphasizes that Mother Nature provides the right kind of food for the right kind of environment.  For instance, if the weather is cold, then warming, nutrient-dense foods are best for the body. Likewise, when summer rolls around, and because the season tends to be the warmest, it is important to stay cool and hydrated.

Food is one of the key ingredients to keep up with your health, but what does that mean for summer?

Because summer is a time of growth, many fruits and vegetables become abundant during the season. This is the perfect time to eat more Traditional Chinese Medicine summer foods that can clear heat, along with eating hydrating fruits and vegetables.

Below are my recommendations for summer eating that aligns with the season, the Element, and Traditional Chinese Medicine theory:

Summer Vegetables 

Things like peppers, eggplant, onions, and summer squash are all good choices. They tend to be high in water content, which helps keep the body cool.

Greens

Foods like cabbage, kale, broccoli, Swiss chard, and spinach are great choices to add to a salad or even to stir fry. They tend to be neutral to cooling in nature.

Melons

Melons are high in water content, so they are great to have around on those really hot summer days for replenishing lost fluids. They are also non-calorie dense, so they won’t be heavy on the stomach.

Seafoods

While most meats tend to be warming in nature, seafood is not. It leans more heavily toward the cooling nature of food. This makes it a great choice for summer dinners. It’s also high in protein and easy to throw on the grill.

Fruits 

Summer is when there is an abundance of fruits. Most fruit tends to be cooling in nature, but the high sugar content can be detrimental to the spleen. The best choices are fruits grown in tropical climates, as they have the highest water content.

If you need more help understanding or designing a proper seasonal eating plan, contact us, and we can give you specific guidelines to fit your needs!

Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider.  This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease.  That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options.  If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.