Introduction: Honey has the effect of moistening and nourishing the lungs, which is what is needed to protect lung yin in the autumn. On the other hand, it is advisable to avoid or eat less spicy and grilled foods, including chili, Sichuan peppercorn, cassia bark, ginger, scallions, and alcohol, especially ginger. These foods are considered "hot" in nature and lose a lot of moisture during cooking, making them likely to cause "internal heat" after consumption, which exacerbates the harm of autumn dryness to the body. For instance, ginger is warned against in ancient medical texts: "Do not eat ginger in the autumn." Besides honey, one can also eat more foods like sesame seeds and almonds, which can tonify the spleen and stomach, nourish the lungs and moisten the intestines, preventing the fluid insufficiency caused by autumn dryness. Common symptoms like dry cough, a dry throat, a loss of skin luster, and intestinal dryness with constipation can also be alleviated. There is a folk saying, "Autumn melons harm the stomach," as many delicious melons are considered "yin-cold" in nature, and eating too many can damage the spleen and stomach, so they should be consumed in moderation. However, certain "fruits" can be eaten more. Pears can moisten the lungs and reduce phlegm and cough, making them the most recommended fruit for autumn. Apples are rich in various vitamins and potassium, which are not only beneficial for patients with cardiovascular diseases but can also stop diarrhea. Longan has tonic, strengthening, sedative, and blood-nourishing effects, making it especially suitable for the elderly with insomnia at night. Grapes can prevent fatigue and have effects such as replenishing qi and blood, benefiting muscles and bones, strengthening the stomach, and promoting urination.
Autumn Dietary Principles:
1. Less Pungent, More Sour
The diet in autumn should be "less pungent, more sour," meaning one should eat less of pungent and stimulating foods like onions, ginger, garlic, and chives to prevent the consumption of yin, blood, and body fluids, which would worsen the feeling of dry lips. Eat more sour fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pomegranates, grapes, mangoes, pomelos, lemons, and hawthorns.
2. Less Dry, More Moistening
The autumn climate is dry, and dryness consumes body fluids. Therefore, one should eat more moistening foods like sesame seeds, walnuts, glutinous rice, tremella, sugarcane, pears, honey, lotus root, black-bone chicken, and soy milk. The elderly can eat more congee to benefit the stomach and generate fluids, and should try to eat less pungent and drying foods.
3. Less Cold, More Warm
Autumn is the season for a bountiful harvest of melons and fruits, and eating more fruits is very beneficial to health and can prevent the occurrence of "autumn dryness." However, as the autumn climate gradually turns cool, it is not advisable to eat too many melons and fruits to avoid damaging the spleen and stomach's yang energy. In autumn, there is also an abundance of fish, meat, and egg products, expanding the range of food choices. At this time, attention should be paid to a balanced diet, including the pairing of staple and non-staple foods, as well as meat and vegetable dishes, in accordance with the principle of "nourishing yang in autumn and winter." Furthermore, the autumn diet should mainly focus on gentle and light nourishment. Choose some nutritious and easily digestible foods, such as red dates, Chinese yam, and lotus seeds, which help enhance the body's constitution and promote the recovery from chronic diseases. For the elderly with chronic bronchitis, it is advisable to eat more pears, radishes, tremella, or lily, which have the effect of clearing the lungs and resolving phlegm. Eat less spicy food to avoid irritating the respiratory tract. Drinking a cup of honey tea daily in autumn can also help moisten the lungs and stop coughing, achieving the goal of preventing diseases in autumn. In summary, autumn is a good season for nourishing the body with food therapy, and also a good time for healthy people to supplement their diet. Through dietary supplementation, one can maintain health and longevity, and the elderly can achieve the goal of delaying aging.
Autumn Dietary Precautions:
1. Prevent Excessive Tonification
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes "tonify when deficient, purge when excessive." One should follow the principles of "do not tonify if not deficient" and "tonify what is lacking." For what the body lacks, one can supplement, but it must be done in moderation; otherwise, it can lead to an imbalance of yin and yang in the body. At the same time, one should understand that food supplementation is better than medicinal supplementation, as "all medicines have some toxicity." If food supplementation can be used, medicinal supplementation should not be.
2. Prevent Excess Energy Intake
Some people's appetite increases greatly in autumn, often leading to an excess intake of calories and fat accumulation, starting the process of "gaining autumn weight." Since obesity can lead to many diseases, one should not indulge their appetite in the autumn diet and should pay attention to moderation.
3. Pay Attention to Nutritional Balance
The "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents" points out that food should be diverse, with grains as the main staple, while also combining coarse and fine grains. A single type of food cannot provide comprehensive nutrition for the body. For example, grains mainly supply energy and vitamin B1; legumes and their products mainly supply plant protein; vegetables and fruits mainly supply vitamin C, inorganic salts, and dietary fiber; and animal foods mainly supply high-quality protein, fat, and vitamins.
4. Avoid Digestive Diseases
As the autumn weather turns from hot to cool, the body's physiological metabolism also changes to adapt. Ancient Chinese doctors proposed the idea that "autumn should be warm," which means that in autumn, one should avoid eating cold-natured foods and should eat more warm-natured foods. This is beneficial for protecting the gastrointestinal tract and preventing gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, and loose stools.