The last branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is nutrition, which may be considered the most important. We know that food is the source of continued life for our bodies. In this column, we’ve previously described the other branches of this form of medicine; acupuncture, herbs, exercise, and massage.
Nutrition is such an overwhelming topic in these times. We each read or are told various, often contradictory, information about what foods are good for us and what’s bad for us. I won’t attempt to tell you whether eggs or butter or meat or wine will help or hurt you here, but I will share the Chinese medical view of nutrition to give you a slightly different perspective on this topic.
Nutritional Tips from China
I remember clearly, when living in China 15 years ago, how the flavor of sweet meant something different than how we have come to think of sweet. I remember how difficult it was to find a cup of coffee. I also remember how everything was fresh, not many foods were packaged. The chicken or fish was alive a few minutes before I was eating it. The noodles were made right before boiling them.
TCM treats recurring symptoms of illness and draws on preventive care to boost one’s immunity against illness and disease. TCM’s preventive care seeks to maintain the body’s balance. In doing so, there are a number of foods you should avoid and several you should consider adding or retaining in a healthy diet.
Foods and drinks to avoid under TCM teachings included alcohol, coffee (regular & decaf), cheese, eggs, greasy, fatty, oily foods, red meat, and excessively spicy foods. Instead, TCM recommends you eat more sprouted grains, beans, fresh fruits vegetables, romaine lettuce, cucumber, rhubarb root, mushrooms, plums, tofu, radish and vinegar.
In general a nutritional TCM diet consists of warm, cooked foods one can easily digest. This would include cooked vegetables, soups, noodles, rice, stews and small portions of meat. Opt for whole-wheat grains that are well cooked and easily digested. Try not to overeat in any one meal. The Chinese say you should stop eating when you are 70 percent full. Choose instead to eat smaller meals spaced evenly throughout the day.
Above all, one should make it a point to shop for fresh food. Unlike the fast food choices made by many teens and young adults in Western societies, the Chinese select live seafood, fresh meats and seasonal fruits and vegetables from the local market to ensure freshness. In other words, rather than freeze dried fish or meat in a can or plastic wrap, the Chinese opt for swimming fish, snappy crabs, and squawking chickens.