Introduction: As the weather gets hot, many of us not only lose our appetite easily but also feel drowsy in the afternoon. Therefore, our lunch becomes very important. Below, let's discuss how to eat a healthier lunch in the summer.
Lunch should be light but nutritious
Summer has arrived, and as the temperature gradually rises, many people's appetites wane. Due to the hot weather and increased sweating, energy expenditure naturally increases. Moreover, many people like to eat cold drinks, which for those with a weak digestive system can lead to digestive disharmony, impaired function, and consequently, fatigue and loss of appetite.
For those with a tendency towards Yang deficiency: Often cook soups
People with a tendency towards Yang deficiency are generally on the heavier side, fear cold in winter and heat in summer, and experience excessive sweating. Therefore, even in summer, one should drink more hot soups and congee, such as mushroom soup, chicken soup, pork rib soup, or fish soup. These can be a bit saltier to avoid harming the stomach's energy. It's best to eat less raw, cold, and greasy food to prevent harm to the spleen and stomach.
Regarding fruits, Tang Boxiang suggests that people with a tendency towards Yang deficiency can eat more tropical fruits, including mangoes, pineapples, grapes, lychees, loquats, and durians, which are beneficial for replenishing qi and blood and invigorating the meridians. For cold-natured fruits like pears, they should be eaten less or not at all.
For those with a tendency towards Yin deficiency: Drink yogurt with fruit
If your body type is lean and you usually eat small portions, you might have a tendency towards Yin deficiency. Tang Boxiang says that people with a tendency towards Yin deficiency need to eat more nourishing foods. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, foods that nourish Yin include beef, lamb, seafood, and grains, which also have the effect of nourishing true yin.
From what we've discussed above, we can see that in the summer, our lunch should be tailored to our own body constitution to effectively maintain our health.