In the blink of an eye, the season of Li Dong (Start of Winter) has arrived. Li Dong is the first solar term after winter begins. It is a season when Yang energy is hidden, Yin energy flourishes, plants wither, and hibernating creatures lie dormant. The cold weather affects the human endocrine system, causing an increase in secretions like thyroid and adrenal hormones. This accelerates the breakdown of the three major thermal nutrients—proteins, fats, and carbohydrates—to enhance the body's cold resistance, but it also leads to excessive heat loss. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to nourish the body appropriately after Li Dong to ward off the cold.
Nourish Gradually Before Replenishing
After Li Dong, replenishment should be a gradual process to allow the digestive system to adapt, so it's important to start with gentle pre-nourishment. For example, you can consume mild foods like peanut and red date soup, or beef stewed with ginger. Additionally, drinking hot porridge in winter is an excellent choice for health maintenance. Wheat porridge can nourish the heart and alleviate anxiety; sesame porridge can benefit essence and nourish Yin; radish porridge can aid digestion and resolve phlegm; and Poria porridge can strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach.
More Warm and Less Cold Foods
When the weather is cold, moderately increasing the intake of protein, fat, as well as vitamins and minerals is very helpful in resisting low temperatures. For example, eat more warming foods like glutinous rice, sorghum, chestnuts, red dates, walnuts, longans, chives, pumpkins, ginger, beef, and mutton.
Increase Intake of Vitamins A and C
Increasing the intake of Vitamins A and C can enhance the body's ability to adapt to the cold. Vitamin A is mainly found in animal liver, carrots, and dark green vegetables, while Vitamin C is primarily sourced from fresh fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, eating more chili peppers in winter can promote blood circulation and stimulate the appetite.
Salty Flavor Nourishes the Kidneys and Yin Blood
Following the principles of "nourishing Yin in autumn and winter" and "nourishing the kidneys in winter," it is advisable to moderately consume more umami-rich foods in winter, such as kelp, seaweed, and jellyfish, which have the effect of nourishing Yin and blood.