I am all about eating warming foods right now. In traditional Chinese medicine, there's a lot of thought that goes into food preparation. While we are all different, in the winter months, it's thought to be beneficial for everyone to eat warming foods. Intuitively, it makes sense. So many of us feel the need to eat so many salads to get our greens in and to load up on nutrients, but the truth is, we can use this same concept when we warm up our vegetables, rather than eating them raw. In fact, we often benefit even more from the nutrients when we eat foods in their cooked form.
In Chinese medicine, eating raw foods can promote fatigue, congestion, feeling cold, and bloating. Especially in the winter months, our bodies crave warmth, and a great way to feed that craving is by eating cooked and warming foods. They stimulate circulation and aid digestion.
How can we easily add healthy warming meal options to our diet?
make soups and stews
roast or steam vegetables
instead of salads, try warm quinoa or lentil bowls
have warm oatmeal and egg dishes for breakfast
incorporate warming spices, like cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger to your cooking
Chinese Medicine is all about Yin and Yang; it’s about finding balance. We should seek to find yin and yang not only with our diet (with texture, flavor, temperatures), but also with our lifestyles. Yes, right now, it’s winter and my body is craving warmth, which I am finding through the foods I eat, the clothes I wear, and by hunkering down with blankets and books. Yet, in the summer months, I crave cool, refreshing meals, like smoothies, salads, sorbets, and summer fruits. I crave lots of social interaction, long and active days, and opportunities to swim and cool down. The point of this post is, listen to your body. Don’t just eat a salad because it’s “healthy.” Eat to nourish yourself. Eat what your body craves and desires (more or less). Pay attention to foods that are seasonal and your methods for preparing them. Finally, try to find balance in all that you do!
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