Summertime Nourishment

This is the time of year associated with the fire element and the heart organ. The season of summer celebrates heat, longer days and lots of outdoor activities. Summer is considered a very yang time of year, and with this in mind it is important to nourish yin within the body.

Principles of a Summer Diet:
→ Introduce cool, yin foods to the diet
→ Clear heat, reduce toxins, and generate fluids.
→ Reduce water retention and dampness
→ Indigestion, heartburn can easily occur
→ Eat in moderation. Overconsumption of cooling foods can lead to indigestion, loose stools, and sluggishness. Avoid greasy, dairy, heavy, fried foods.
→ Avoid spicy foods that disperse yang and increase sweating
→ Cooking methods: Broil and grill. Using a high temp reflects a yang quality. Iron and stainless steel.

Foods to Include:
→ Cooling foods - green end of the spectrum.
→ Fish and seafood are cooling. Most other meats are warming.
→ Bitter foods clear excess heat
→ To promote better digestion, increase Spleen yang energy. Include bitter greens and aromatic spices to salads and juices. Fennel bulb, ginger, basil, parsley, arugula, etc.
→ Stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes! Water with lemon and cucumber slices.
→ Fruits: Apricot, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, lemon, peach, orange, plums, dates
→ Veggies: asparagus, sprouts, bamboo, beets, bok choy, broccoli, chinese cabbage, corn, white mushroom, snow peas, spinach, Summer squash, watercress, seaweed, lotus plant

Check out our website for delicious Summer recipes!

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