Enough enquiries regarding weight loss, diet, and detoxing has inspired me to write this post.
This is my understanding and approach to diet according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and other traditional therapies.
In Chinese medicine there is little reference to detoxing unless we're dealing with a severely toxic constitution, like drug overdose, obesity, severly hypertensive or diabetic. Chinese medicine is very conservative when it comes to detoxing, in many cases it may cause more harm than benefit.
I propose embracing a more wholesome approach that helps maintain optimal weight and is nurturing to the organism, the key is in establishing healthy patterns of behavior regarding food. When choosing a diet therapy, the goal is to consider the time cycle for certain organs responsible for digestion, the seasons, and your constitutional composition. Not everyone benefits from a vegerarian, or raw diet. Having your acupuncturist assess your constitution so that you are properly informed is a very important step.
Our metabolism is most heightened before 2 PM, that means animal proteins should be consumed by 2 PM. The main meals should be early morning and early afternoon. Post 2 PM, vegetarian meals are preferred. Vegetarian meals means- a pretty healthy non-starchy diet. Like soups, stews, curries, grilled/stir fried/steamed vegetables with a grain.
The spleen organ, according to TCM is responsible for metabolism, and it likes regularity. Establish regular times for eating meals and commit to those times every day. Eating in silence with limited disruptions determines the quality of digestion. The last meal should be by 6 PM. Post 6 PM, if hungry snack on a fruit.
The primary foods to avoid are sugars, starches, and dairy (unless you know your dairy farmer). These foods are inflammatory and the cause of many chronic internal disorders.
Animal proteins should be organic, I know it costs a lot more but it is absolutely worth it -we're finding that a lot of hormonal imbalances in both men and women are due to the manipulation of hormones in the animals. Not to mention cancer being linked to carcinogenic matter fed to chickens. We are in control. Wherever possible, choose organic proteins.
The digestive system thrives in a warm environment. Consumption of cold and raw foods will slow down metabolism. It wants foods that are warming and cooked. Drinks should be taken at room temperature or slightly warm, add lemon juice for weight loss.
When washing greasy dishes in cold water, dishes are still greasy right? Hot water obviously cleans much better, same idea with the body.
Meals should mostly be soupy. They should not be dry, avoid sandwiches, chips, fries and other fast food type foods. Those are not metabolized very well and offer little nutritional value.
If you are trying to lose weight, set realistic goals. Losing 1 pound a week is very doable, and you will keep it off.
Exercising is very important. Plan to have at least 30 to 45 minutes of cardio every day, when the blood and lymph are circulating, qi and blood can circulate and nourish every organ system.
To review, proper eating habits to improve digestion:
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This is my understanding and approach to diet according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and other traditional therapies.
In Chinese medicine there is little reference to detoxing unless we're dealing with a severely toxic constitution, like drug overdose, obesity, severly hypertensive or diabetic. Chinese medicine is very conservative when it comes to detoxing, in many cases it may cause more harm than benefit.
I propose embracing a more wholesome approach that helps maintain optimal weight and is nurturing to the organism, the key is in establishing healthy patterns of behavior regarding food. When choosing a diet therapy, the goal is to consider the time cycle for certain organs responsible for digestion, the seasons, and your constitutional composition. Not everyone benefits from a vegerarian, or raw diet. Having your acupuncturist assess your constitution so that you are properly informed is a very important step.
Our metabolism is most heightened before 2 PM, that means animal proteins should be consumed by 2 PM. The main meals should be early morning and early afternoon. Post 2 PM, vegetarian meals are preferred. Vegetarian meals means- a pretty healthy non-starchy diet. Like soups, stews, curries, grilled/stir fried/steamed vegetables with a grain.
The spleen organ, according to TCM is responsible for metabolism, and it likes regularity. Establish regular times for eating meals and commit to those times every day. Eating in silence with limited disruptions determines the quality of digestion. The last meal should be by 6 PM. Post 6 PM, if hungry snack on a fruit.
The primary foods to avoid are sugars, starches, and dairy (unless you know your dairy farmer). These foods are inflammatory and the cause of many chronic internal disorders.
Animal proteins should be organic, I know it costs a lot more but it is absolutely worth it -we're finding that a lot of hormonal imbalances in both men and women are due to the manipulation of hormones in the animals. Not to mention cancer being linked to carcinogenic matter fed to chickens. We are in control. Wherever possible, choose organic proteins.
The digestive system thrives in a warm environment. Consumption of cold and raw foods will slow down metabolism. It wants foods that are warming and cooked. Drinks should be taken at room temperature or slightly warm, add lemon juice for weight loss.
When washing greasy dishes in cold water, dishes are still greasy right? Hot water obviously cleans much better, same idea with the body.
Meals should mostly be soupy. They should not be dry, avoid sandwiches, chips, fries and other fast food type foods. Those are not metabolized very well and offer little nutritional value.
If you are trying to lose weight, set realistic goals. Losing 1 pound a week is very doable, and you will keep it off.
Exercising is very important. Plan to have at least 30 to 45 minutes of cardio every day, when the blood and lymph are circulating, qi and blood can circulate and nourish every organ system.
To review, proper eating habits to improve digestion:
- First thing in the morning and throughout the day drink warm to hot water with fresh organic lemon juice (especially for weight management).
- Avoid drinking beverages with meals. Drink 1 cup of room temperature water before meals.
- Main meal to set up metabolism is breakfast. The time should be consistent daily, and the combination is essential for what your body will crave all day. A meal rich in carbs, will mean you will crave carbs all day.
- Meals should be prepared from scratch, avoid processed food. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, they are probably not nutritious and possibly harmful.
- Spices that assist the digestive function includes ginger, cayenne, and turmeric. Moderate if you are prone to heartburn or acid reflux.
- Introduce fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickle your own vegetables. Include fermented foods with at least one meal a day. Fermented foods populate your gut with beneficial bacteria, and improve digestion.
- Understand which foods are beneficial for your constitution. Food is medicine, most imbalances can be corrected with foods.
- Adrenalin stress and hyperactive nervous system inhibits secretions and supply all blood towards the fight or flight response. Blood is not flowing to the stomach or mouth causing digestion to shut off.
- How you eat is the most critical element to gallbladder and stomach function, chew food thoroughly, and take your time, smell and taste your food. Shut off all other stimulants like television, computer, and phone.
- Consume herbal digestive bitters or apple cider vinegar before meals.
- ·Got to bed on an empty stomach - at least 4 hours after you ate. The liver needs 8 hours to detoxify and replenish, going to bed on a full stomach means the liver is forced to break down the meal when it should be purifying blood.
- Stress is the primary trigger for most imbalances in the body, it is responsible for a host of illnesses, we can probably assess the root of most disease in stress. Adaptation to stress is very important, manage through spiritual practice of yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation, singing, dancing, etc.
- Meals should be high in vegetables, fiber, and some white protein (fish, turkey, chicken).
- Meals should not be dry (sandwiches, chips).
- Most meals should be soupy, like curries and stews.
- Raw foods should be a side dish and not your main dish.
- Grains should be soaked overnight with a little bit of lemon juice.
- Limit consumption of carbohydrates.
- Avoid soft drinks, limit caffeine and alcohol.
- Avoid snacking unless it’s in the nut or fruit family.
- Don’t skip meals, eat regularly.
- Limit sodium consumption (table salt).
- Beneficial tea is Green tea.
- Do not eat any pre-packaged, canned foods, processed or microwave food.
- Avoid greasy, rich, fatty, deep fried foods.
- Limit dairy intake.
- Avoid overeating.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
