Traditional Chinese Medicine Dietary Tips for Summer
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a core principle to maintain health and ensure the free flow of energy is to live in harmony with the seasons. A large part of this involves adjusting our diets and our eating habits to best suit the current season, allowing for our inner environment and external environment to function in harmony with one another.
Summer is the time of year when nature is flourishing, our external environment is warm & our bodies are in a state of yang expression - meaning, we tend to shift towards a state of activity, expressing a heightened level of energy. This is in comparison to winter, where we tend to conserve energy, allowing our energy to turn inwards for rest, restoration and reflection. Social activities, outward expression and opportunities tend to arise during the warmer months.
During the Summer seasons, TCM recommends foods that are cooling in nature, clear excess heat, dispel dampness, hydrate the body & to support the body’s energetic system during these heightened states of outward expression and activity.
TCM tips for Summer
Increase your intake of cooling and high water content foods.
Examples include - watermelon, cucumbers, peach, orange, bok choy, spinach, seaweed, lotus root, lemons, bamboo shoots, lemon, tofu and green tea.
Switch coffee (coffee is hot in nature and tends to dehydrate the body) for green tea or peppermint (more cooling properties)
Be mindful of alcohol and cold dairy products. Alcohol tends to have a warming effect on the body (in summer, it is important to not overconsume warming foods, as the external temperature is already hot). Although dairy is cold in temperature, it is considered to be damp in nature from a TCM perspective & when consumed in excess, this may create stagnation of energy in the body, generating heat.
Hydration! TCM encourages consumption of room temperature or warm water to assist in aiding digestive function and to keep the body’s internal temperature regulated. Cold water, from a tcm perspective, is not ideal for digestive function.
Eat in moderation to allow for proper digestive function & to avoid indigestion, bloating or sluggishness. TCM always encourages regular meal times (So, eating at around the same time each day).
Limit greasy, spicy or fried foods.
It is important to note that individual constitution and health conditions vary, so consulting with a TCM practitioner or a healthcare professional to tailor dietary recommendations to your specific constitution is advisable!
Other benefits of eating in accordance with the seasons include
Variety! - Eating seasonally provides you with an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, explore different food avenues and allows your body to receive a variety of nutrients.
Budget - friendly!
Promotes sustainability!