Below is a quick list of foods to eat and foods to avoid, based on the Chinese Medicine diet. After the “quick list,” you will find more information explaining why certain foods are recommended and why others are to be avoided.

Alternative food choices and food substitutes are recommended and the importance of eating organic, non-genetically modified (GMO) foods.

Vegetables

• All types in large quantity
• Aim for half your plate in veggies
• Limit nightshades such as eggplant, tomato, potato, peppers as they are inflammatory for some people

Starches

• White or Brown Rice
• Rice Cakes, Gluten Free Crackers
• Quinoa, Millet or other Non-Glutinous Grains
• Yams, Sweet Potato
• Winter Squash

Gluten-free breads and crackers with whole-food ingredients are the best choices. If you are opting for wheat, sprouted wheat bread is preferred over bread made from wheat flour. Choose simple grain ingredients such as just sprouted wheat over the multi-grain products, since these can exacerbate food allergies. There are even gluten-free wraps available!

Animal Protein

• Free Range Eggs
• Organic Meats
• Wild Caught Fish

Vegetable Protein

• Beans – fresh or canned
• Legumes such as Lentils, Split Peas

Seasonal Fruits

1. Apples and pears in the fall
2. Berries and melons in the summer

Fats

• Raw Nuts & Seeds
• Raw Nut or Seed Butter
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Cold Pressed Vegetable Oils
• Extra Virgin Coconut Oil for cooking
• Ghee – clarified butter (contains no casein which is an allergen in milk)

Beverages

• Herbal Tea
• Green Tea, Black Tea, Coffee, Yerba Mate
• Room Temperature Water

Dairy Substitutes

• Rice Milk
• Hemp Milk
• Almond Milk
• Oat Milk

Soup/Stew

All types of vegetables, whole grains, meat or beans, and stock.

Foods To Avoid

• Excess flour products
• Dairy
• Sugar
• Tropical Fruits
• Processed Food
• Frozen meals
• Greasy food
• Processed Fats

Beans and Vegetarianism

Include beans and legumes in servings of 1/2 to 1 cup, enjoying their cholesterol-absorbing, toxin-cleansing, fiber-rich, and nutrient-dense qualities. Opt for smaller beans for easier digestion, and consider adding a touch of seaweed for enhanced digestion. For those not fond of seaweed, digestive enzymes can be an alternative solution for any digestive discomfort caused by beans.

However, exercise caution with soy, often genetically modified and challenging to digest. Fermented soy, like miso or natto, offers pre-digested options that are gentler on the digestive system. While tofu is acceptable, it’s a cold food, so moderation is advised in colder months.

Chinese Medicine doesn’t endorse strict vegetarianism. Traditional medicine advocates for occasional animal protein intake to maintain well-nourished blood, essential for energy production or ‘qi.’ Depletion of qi and blood can lead to fatigue, chronic illness, and fertility issues.

Why Avoid Dairy?

Considered a highly nourishing and mucus-forming food, dairy is associated with allergies and asthma. Its consumption not only induces phlegm in the airways but also obstructs energy channels crucial for acupuncture balance. Cow’s milk is tailored to grow a calf, and as adults, it seems unnatural to consume the lactation product of another species.

Dairy is deemed excessive for those not malnourished or emaciated, contributing to mucus accumulation and excess fat in well-fed adults.

Probiotics, often found in yogurt, can be obtained through supplements or non-dairy alternatives. Raw dairy is recommended for those opting for dairy, as pasteurization diminishes valuable elements.

Our ancestors consumed raw dairy for millennia before pasteurization’s discovery in 1864, suggesting its safety when sourced from well-cared-for animals on reputable farms in our area.

What About Calcium?

Calcium, crucial for bone health, is abundant in vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish. Broccoli, salmon, and leafy greens offer calcium content equal to or surpassing that of milk. Including vegetables and leafy greens in your diet provides easily absorbed calcium in proper mineral ratios.

Vitamin D aids calcium absorption, sourced from sun exposure, eggs, and fatty fish. Supplementation with Vitamin D and K2 is recommended for those with limited sun exposure.

Why Organic?

Organic foods, cultivated in nutrient-rich soil, boast higher nutritional density and life force. In contrast, commercially grown produce, often from nutrient-poor soil, relies on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Picked unripe for extended shelf life, commercial produce is sometimes gassed for ripening. Pesticides, linked to neurological diseases and certain cancers, accumulate in fat cells. Commercially grown foods contribute to estrogen dominance, associated with reproductive cancers and male feminization.

Organic foods, though smaller, are nutrient-dense, eliminating food cravings by meeting vitamin and mineral requirements. Grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, and free-range eggs from humanely raised animals offer superior nutrition compared to their commercially raised counterparts.

Why Non-GMO and Hormone-Free?

Genetic modification aims to enhance produce size and pest resistance, often found in factory-farmed animals’ feed. Hormones, routinely given to force rapid growth, affect factory-farmed animals and commercial dairy cows.

Hormone-free, non-GMO choices safeguard against potential health risks. Clear labeling, like the “Non GMO Project” butterfly, ensures transparency and helps consumers make informed choices amid obscure labeling practices.

Seasonal Eating

Aligning your diet with the seasons promotes body balance, enhancing food processing efficiency and slowing down the disease process.

Winter – Embrace warming options like soups, stews, baked yams, winter squash, well-cooked whole grains, firmer veggies, larger beans, and more chicken. Minimize fish intake to avoid cooling effects. Eliminate raw or cold foods.

Spring – Transition to lighter fare with spring greens, sprouts, lightly cooked veggies, mung beans, lighter whole grains, beef, and gradually introduce fish. Reduce nut consumption.

Summer – Opt for small amounts of raw, lighter veggies, shorter cooking times, very light whole grains, smaller and easily digestible beans, more fish, less red meats, and minimal chicken. Include seasonal berries and avoid greasy or overly spicy foods.

Fall – Shift to more cooked veggies, sturdier grains, fewer fish, more red meats, and indulge in seasonal apples and pears. Avoid drying and pungent flavors like ginger and garlic.

Quality vs. Cost

Prioritize quality when selecting whole foods for your balanced diet. Although higher in cost, whole fresh foods are more economical than processed, frozen, or conveniently packaged alternatives.

Consider reallocating expenses, such as forgoing vitamin supplements in favor of organic whole foods or redirecting funds from restaurant dinners to invest in daily healthy food choices. Your health is a worthwhile investment.

Call to make an appointment for a Consultation and let us help you set up a program for you to be proactive in maintaining your health the CHINESE MEDICINE WAY! Chatsworth (818) 280-9133