Introduction: On scorching summer days, the temperature is already high by breakfast time. Therefore, many people, seeking coolness, replace the warm soy milk and milk with cold drinks for breakfast. This practice may not have an immediate effect on the body, but in the long run, it will harm the stomach qi.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is not advisable to start your summer breakfast with cold drinks such as vegetable juice, iced coffee, iced juice, and iced milk. Eating warm food for breakfast is essential to protect the stomach qi. The "stomach qi" in TCM does not simply refer to the stomach organ itself, but encompasses the digestive and absorption capabilities of the spleen and stomach, as well as the body's acquired immunity and muscle function.
In the morning, the body's various systems and organs have not yet fully awakened from sleep. Consuming too many cold foods at this time can cause cramping and poor blood circulation throughout the body.
Perhaps when you first start eating cold foods, you don't feel any discomfort in your stomach and intestines. But over time, you may find that you always feel hungry, have loose stools, your skin gets worse and worse, or you always have a phlegmy feeling in your throat that you can't clear up. You'll be constantly plagued by minor ailments. This is a sign of damaged stomach qi and a weakened immune system. Therefore, for breakfast, you should first eat warm foods like hot congee or hot soy milk, and then have vegetables, bread, fruit, and snacks.
Excerpted from "Steering Clear of Life's Misconceptions," China Textile & Apparel Press