In late autumn, the weather gradually turns cool and then cold, and the climate becomes dry. It is common to feel dry lips, a sore throat, and rough skin. This is because the dryness consumes a great deal of the body's fluids. Therefore, during this season, it is crucial to nourish the yin.
In terms of diet, in addition to following the principle of a balanced diet with a mix of meat and vegetables, one should avoid pungent and drying foods, such as chili peppers and raw scallions. It is advisable to eat soft and moistening foods like sesame seeds, glutinous rice, and dairy products. The ancients believed that "eating congee in the morning promotes the removal of old and the emergence of new, benefits the diaphragm and nourishes the stomach, generates fluids, and keeps one refreshed all day." Therefore, it is best to have a bowl of congee for breakfast. Not only is it inexpensive, but more importantly, it moistens dryness and nourishes yin, which is beneficial for health.
For those who are ill, dietary restrictions are even more important in the autumn. If you have a cold or a fever, do not eat spicy food. Now, various spicy hot pot and similar foods have started to appear, no matter how tempting they are, you must resist them. For those who have been ill for a long time, they should avoid eating pig's head meat, goose meat, and fishy foods. Those who frequently suffer from bloating, vomiting, and nausea should eat less sweet food. People with acne or sores, abscesses, and swellings should avoid lamb, crab, shrimp, and spicy and irritating foods. For those with a cough, asthma, and excessive phlegm, they should avoid astringent and sour foods. However, you can boil pear and rock sugar in water to drink to moisten the lungs and resolve phlegm.
As the weather turns cool in late autumn, you can also use medicinal cuisine according to the season. In autumn, the lung qi governs the five organs, so a gentle supplement is needed, and medicinal dishes like chrysanthanthemum pork slices are suitable. At the same time, you can also choose medicinal dishes that are suitable for all seasons, such as Poria steamed buns and tremella soup.