Autumn has arrived, and some people believe it is the season for nourishment, so they prepare to consume tonics. In fact, for a period just after the start of autumn, the temperature is often still high, and the air humidity is also considerable. People not only fail to feel the coolness and dryness of autumn but instead feel muggy and damp everywhere.
Furthermore, people often consume large amounts of cold drinks in the summer, which can weaken the function of the spleen and stomach. If large quantities of tonics are consumed at this time, especially those that are overly nourishing and moistening, it will further burden the spleen and stomach. The gastrointestinal system, which has long been in a "weak" state, cannot handle this sudden increase, leading to digestive disorders. Therefore, one should not rush into heavy nourishment in early autumn. Nourishment should be light and not overly rich. "Light nourishment" primarily means tonifying without being greasy. Specifically, it involves consuming foods or herbs that are appropriate for strengthening the spleen, clearing heat, and promoting diuresis. When practicing light nourishment, one should avoid spicy foods that generate heat and yang, as well as greasy and sweet foods that produce phlegm and dampness. However, this does not mean avoiding all meat.
For those with yin deficiency and a weak constitution, when planning their diet, they can choose foods rich in high-quality protein, such as lean pork, duck, rabbit, white-cut chicken, salted duck eggs, and steamed fresh fish, to increase their protein intake.
Elderly individuals with a weak spleen should choose nourishing foods that strengthen the spleen and stomach, transform dampness, are mild in nature, and are tonifying without being greasy.
Commonly used foods include red beans and Job's tears. When cooked until soft and served with sugar, they make an excellent tonic. It is also good to frequently consume soups like winter melon, lily, red date, and mung bean, which can relieve summer heat, quench thirst, and promote the production of body fluids to cool the blood.
Dietary nourishment should focus on nourishing yin and moistening dryness. Specific examples include Silkie chicken, turtle meat, tremella, honey, sesame seeds, soy milk, lotus root, walnuts, peanuts, duck eggs, spinach, and pears. When these foods are combined with other beneficial foods or Chinese herbs, their effects are enhanced.