Principles of a Spring Diet

Springtime Nourishment 🥦

Spring is about new growth, movement and fresh perspective, similar to the functions the Liver performs in the body. This time of year, our wood element is most active, and its corresponding organ pair, Liver and Gallbladder, need extra love and care.

To keep your liver and gallbladder clear, keep your diet light and include foods that emphasize the yang, ascending, and regenerative qualities of spring. Too many rich, heavy, greasy foods can impair their ability to circulate qi and blood and cause congestion within this organ pair.

Principles of a Spring Diet:
→ Green & sour foods!
→ Eat light
→ Cooking methods: steam, saute, short cooking time at high temperature
→ Foods that emphasize the yang, ascending, expansive qualities of Spring - young plants, fresh greens, sprouts, immature grasses
→ Lots of blood nourishing: beets, zucchini, broccoli, leafy greens, watercress, berries & grapes
→ Liver detoxifying: brussel sprouts, spinach
→ Avoid salty foods and sodium-rich meats (sinking energy)

Foods to Include:
→ Fermented: sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha
→ Fruits: berries, cucumber, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, lemon, lime, olives, papaya, pickles, plums, prunes
→ Vegetables: green (alfalfa, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, leafy greens, zucchini) beets, carrots, celery, parsnips, radish, sea veggies
→ Spices: basil, bay leaf, caraway, cinnamon, cumin, curry, dill, fennel, ginger, lemongrass, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon
→ Nuts/Seeds: Pistachios, pecans, flax seeds, sesame seeds, lima/butterbeans
→ Meats: Beef, buffalo, crustaceans, deer, lamb, quail

Check out our website for delicious Spring recipes!

As with any medicine, everyone has a different body type, so ask your acupuncturist or schedule health + wellness coaching to find out what foods would be best for you this season.