In spring, eating these "6 most suitable" foods can prevent illness
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is when liver Qi is most abundant and liver fire is strongest. It's also when old ailments are most likely to recur. This is because the beginning of spring injects Yang energy into our bodies. The body has an instinct: once it has this new energy, it will冲击 (chōngjī -冲击,冲击) our points of illness and expel pathogenic factors. This force is manifested through the liver, which helps us detoxify and eliminate toxins.
Since liver fire often manifests through the Gallbladder meridian, many people in spring inexplicably experience a bitter taste in the mouth, shoulder pain, and migraines. Excessive liver fire also affects the spleen, leading to corresponding symptoms of a weak spleen and stomach, such as diarrhea, calf cramps, and frequent drowsiness.
What should we eat in spring?
In early spring, when Yang energy first emerges, pungent and sweet foods can help support it. This is because sour foods enter the liver, and sweet foods enter the spleen. Eating too many sour foods can disrupt gastric acid secretion and affect digestion and absorption, so one should reduce sour and astringent foods to lessen the burden on the spleen and stomach. Speaking of this, many people are still confused and don't know what to eat, so let me explain in detail below.
I. The most suitable supplement: Jujubes and honey are best for nourishing the liver
Spring is when liver Qi is most abundant and liver fire is strongest, so in our diet we should choose more liver-protecting and spleen-strengthening foods. Adding jujubes, honey, Chinese yam, lotus seeds, and Euryale ferox seeds is recommended. You can make a little congee with them daily. This not only helps protect the liver and strengthen the spleen and stomach but also helps nourish and increase Qi and blood, preventing springtime drowsiness.
II. The most suitable flavor profile: reduce sour, increase sweet
In early spring, when Yang energy first emerges, pungent and sweet foods can help support it. Therefore, in spring, one should increase sweet foods and reduce sour ones. This is because sour foods enter the liver, and sweet foods enter the spleen. Eating too many sour foods can disrupt gastric acid secretion and affect digestion and absorption, so one should reduce sour and astringent foods to lessen the burden on the spleen and stomach.
To prevent excessive liver fire from damaging the spleen, it's suitable to choose pungent and sweet foods: green onions, ginger, jujubes, peanuts, wheat flour, buckwheat, corn, and other grains and fruits. For those with Yin deficiency and internal heat, duck meat, kelp, mung beans, sugarcane juice, water chestnuts, and lilies can be chosen to reduce fire.
III. The most suitable vegetables: Bok choy, romaine lettuce
Because people often feel drowsy in spring, it's important to reduce fat intake and appropriately increase protein-rich foods such as eggs, milk, fish, bean products, and poultry to boost immunity. Increase green leafy vegetables to supplement minerals, vitamins, and various antioxidants. The rich nutrients in vegetables can also prevent spring drowsiness and effectively help achieve weight loss goals.
When choosing vegetables, opt for dark green, leafy varieties as they are higher in nutritional value and extremely low in calories. Leafy vegetables that grow slowly over the winter can be said to accumulate rich nutrients, exceeding those of other seasons. Coupled with low winter temperatures and fewer pest and pesticide disturbances, they are safe to eat and particularly beneficial for health.
At the same time, choosing some slightly bitter vegetables can help reduce fire and detoxify. Some common ones include bok choy, romaine lettuce, rape greens, crown daisy, and bitter lettuce. Some less common ones include kale, amaranth, and purple back cabbage.
IV. The most suitable fruit: Strawberries
At this time, fruits like apples and oranges have gone through a long winter. Although modern storage technology is advanced, they are generally not very fresh after such a long period. Strawberries, however, are in season in large quantities. Additionally, strawberries contain high levels of Vitamin C, and their iron content is the highest among fruits. The combination of Vitamin C and iron is a perfect match for nourishing the skin and complexion.
Furthermore, strawberries belong to the berry family, which is the most effective type of fruit for delaying brain aging and enhancing memory. Eating a few juicy and delicious strawberries in the morning and afternoon can instantly refresh you and drive away spring drowsiness.
V. The most suitable snack: Nuts
One should supplement with an appropriate amount of nuts daily. Nuts are rich in antioxidants and brain-boosting components. Daily moderate supplementation can effectively improve springtime issues like lack of energy, memory decline, and drowsiness. The effective antioxidants can also make women's skin more moisturized, radiant, and elastic.
This is especially true for office workers and students. It should be noted that the total daily amount of nuts should not exceed 30 grams, which is about 10 almonds or hazelnuts, a small handful of sunflower seeds, or about 6 walnut halves.
VI. The most suitable beverage: Black tea
Timely and adequate hydration benefits the entire body, with the first glass of water in the morning being particularly important. Drinking a glass of warm water on an empty stomach after waking up replenishes the fluids lost overnight and also has the effects of moistening the lungs and skin, and speeding up intestinal motility to promote bowel movements.
Additionally, many people enjoy drinking tea. In the early spring in northern regions, the weather is still very cold, so it's still recommended to choose black tea or oolong tea. In late spring, you can gradually switch to green tea.