Posted on 22 May 2010

According to Chinese medicine philosophies, if we eat seasonal foods that are similar in nature to the external environment, we remain in harmony with the environment, adapt better to changes in season and stay healthy.

Summer and Chinese Medicine

The summer solstice, the longest daylight of the year, marks the height of Yang energy. The warm sun, socializing, and activity are all indicative of Yang energy.  Summer is nature’s season of growth and maturation with colourful flowers and fruits abundant.

 
Summer Diet

With summers warmth and activity we need a diet that is cool and light.  Naturally, fruits and vegetables are seasonally available at this time.  If this summer is as hot as predicted, more raw foods can be added to the diet.  If the summer is not hot, or if you suffer from damp or cold, raw foods should still be limited.  

Recommended Foods for Summer

•    Reduce hot foods such as proteins (meat and fish, nuts, seeds, beans), fats (dairy products, eggs) and complex carbohydrates (whole grains).

•    Fresh fruits and juices such as apples, watermelon, bananas, strawberries, pears, peaches, plums and citrus fruits such as lemons and limes.

•    Fresh vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, celery, avocado, seaweeds, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, summer squash, broccoli, corn, Chinese yam, bitter gourd, pumpkin.

•    Sprouts especially mung, soy and alfalfa.  Beans such as mung beans.

•    Aim for a rainbow of colours on your plate and an abundant variety of foods.

•    Steam or simmer foods as quickly as possible.

•    Use a little salt and more water.

•    On extremely hot days, inducing a sweat by drinking hot liquids or taking a warm shower can cool the body.  Eating spicy foods can do the same which is why the hottest countries have spicy foods!

•    Drink flower and leaf teas including chrysanthemum, mint and chamomile.

•    Avoid iced drinks and ice cream as they cause the stomach to contract thereby interfering with digestion.

•    On hotter days, avoid heavy foods such as meats, eggs and too many nuts, seeds and grains as these cause sluggishness.

Five Food Rules to Thrive By

According to Chinese medicine, it is not only what you eat but how you eat that affects your health. Here are some tips on eating wisely:

•    Chew your food very well. This makes it easier for your enzymes to break food down into the energy needed to keep the body going. 


•    The Chinese saying. “When eating, stop when you are seven tenths full” emphasis the importance of moderation. Stop eating before you are completely full. This enhances the digestion and won't overload the liver and kidneys' ability to process waste products.

•    Eat in a quiet, non-stressful environment. Make the dinner hour a special time with no television, phone calls or other loud distractions. Sit down to eat and make a rule to discuss only pleasant topics.

•    Finish your last meal of the day at least three hours before bedtime. This prevents stress on the liver along with digestive problems like heartburn and acid reflux.


•    Eat a diet of primarily lightly cooked foods, especially if you have weak digestion. Cooking allows easier assimilation of nutrients.

Simple Summer Breakfast Ideas

•    A couple of pieces of fruit, fruit juice or tea.
•    A small bowl of yoghurt with one or two sliced pieces of fruit such as banana, pear or apple, a few nuts, raisins and a little honey.
•    Power Juice – In a blender mix 2 tablespoons of yoghurt; one ripe banana, apple or pear; 4 ounces of orange or apple juice or water; 1-2 tablespoons of brewer’s yeast (high in B vitamins); 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses (high in iron and vitamins and a natural sweetener). Blend together and drink.
•    A more heat-producing breakfast for a colder day or for a day of hard work – a bowl of natural dry cereal like granola or muesli or cooked oats plus raisins, sunflower seeds or handful of nuts topped with almond or coconut milk.
•    1 or 2 slices of wholegrain toast spread with a nut butter (eg cashew, almond, peanut) topped with a sliced banana or dates and a cup of herbal tea.

Exercise

Summer is an excellent time for exercise.  However, avoid the extreme heat and excessive sweating which can be very depleting to the body’s Yin.

Sources

www.shen-nong.com
Healing with Whole Foods – Paul Pitchford
Staying Healthy with the Seasons – Elson M Haas
Chinese System of Food Cures – Henry C. Lu