Introduction: Spring is characterized by a windy, cold, and humid climate. The diet should focus on pungent-warm, sweet, and light flavors because pungent-warm ingredients can dispel cold, sweet flavors can strengthen the spleen, and light flavors can promote urination to drain dampness. This helps the body resist the invasion of pathogenic factors like wind-cold and wind-damp, reducing the likelihood of illness. Let's look at 3 types of sweet treats suitable for spring.
Sweet foods that nourish the spleen, such as red dates
The ancient Chinese medical master Sun Simiao once said: "In spring, it is advisable to reduce sour foods and increase sweet ones to nourish the spleen and stomach." This means that in spring, one should eat less sour food and more sweet food. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the liver's Qi is particularly vigorous in spring. Consuming too many sour foods can cause an excess of liver Qi, which in turn damages the spleen and stomach. Therefore, sour foods should be consumed in moderation. Additionally, people engage in more outdoor activities in spring than in winter, leading to greater physical exertion and a higher need for calories. However, the spleen and stomach are relatively weak at this time, and the digestive system is not strong enough to handle greasy, meaty foods. Thus, calories can be appropriately supplied by sweet foods. Red dates are precisely an excellent food for nourishing the spleen in spring.
Whole-wheat buns with brown sugar and red dates
Honey
TCM holds that honey is sweet in flavor and enters the spleen and stomach meridians. It can tonify the middle Qi, replenish vital energy, and moisten the intestines to promote bowel movements. The spring climate is variable, with sudden changes from cold to warm, making people more susceptible to colds. Honey contains various minerals and vitamins and has the function of clearing the lungs and detoxifying the body. Therefore, it can enhance human immunity and is the most ideal tonic in spring. Thus, in spring, consuming 1-2 teaspoons of honey daily, either dissolved in a cup of warm water or added to milk, can have a nourishing effect on the body.
Honey and pomelo tea
Cherry
Known as the "first branch of spring fruits," cherries are now cultivated all over China. The fruit is fleshy, delicious, juicy, and brightly colored, and is rich in nutrients. Its iron content is particularly outstanding, exceeding that of citrus, pears, and apples by more than 20 times, ranking it first among fruits.
Cherries are warm in nature with a sweet and slightly sour flavor. They have the effects of tonifying the middle Qi, regulating the middle and benefiting the complexion, and strengthening the spleen to whet the appetite. Eating cherries in spring can induce sweating, replenish Qi, expel wind, and promote the eruption of rashes. It should be noted that cherries are considered "heaty" in nature and should not be consumed in excess. Those with a "yin deficiency and excess fire" constitution should avoid or eat them sparingly. If cherries are not an option, strawberries are also a very good choice.
Cherry jelly