Nutritional 
Counseling TCM

At its core, Traditional Chinese Medicine is preventative medicine. Most today’s illnesses are chronic and entirely preventable. Unlike conventional medicine, Chinese nutrition takes a holistic approach by tailoring recommendations to a person in order to find balance within the body for optimal health and wellness.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, food consists of five flavors: spicy, sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Foods and herbs can have more than one flavor, and each flavor has its own properties. For example, bitter foods are drying and cold in nature. Each flavor is also correlated to organ systems. In short, salty got to the Kidneys and Bladder; sour to the Liver and Gall-Bladder; bitter to the Heart and Small Intestine; spicy to the Lungs and Large Intestine; and sweet to the Spleen and Stomach.

Climate changes strongly affect our health, and our diet should enable us to adapt with those changes. This not only applies to fruits and vegetables that are in season, but also incorporates foods with similar energetics to the current season. The theory of yin and yang is also applied to foods. This theory can be applied to harmonize the body with the seasons. For example, eating yang foods during winter (the most yin time of year) and yin foods in the summer (the most yang time of year).

1. Listen to your body. The best diet plan is one that works for your unique needs and specific imbalance.

2. Eat the proper amount of food. Let your body tell you when it is “full” or “hungry”. Overeating hinders the digestion process and distribution of nutrients to parts of the body that need them the most. While on the other hand, underrating leaves the body malnourished and dehydrated can lead to poor mental function and slow healing times.

3. Breakfast should be your largest meal. In the morning your digestive system is the most active (according to Traditional Chinese Medicine) and eating during this time will lead to optimal absorption, distribution, and use of nutrients.

4. Avoid excessive amounts of cold and raw foods. Too much cold food can slow down our physiological processes. Traditional Chinese nutrition advocates the avoidance of things like ice water, smoothies, and salads. Warm foods are easier on our bodies so opt for room temperature water, slightly steamed vegetables, or a cup of warm soup.

5. Eat with the seasons. Seasonal foods have qualities that are similar to the external environment. we will adapt better to changes in season and stay healthy If we remain in harmony with our environment.

6. Take your time when eating. Eating in a rush or angry can affect your body in negative ways. Being in a calm mood, in a relaxed environment will lead to mindful eating. Mindfulness can boost digestion, improve your relationship with food. Also, being present when eating may help you identify any food sensitivities you may have.

To properly incorporate Chinese nutrition into your life, see one of our practitioners for Chinese nutritional counselling in Bloomfield Hills. We can assess your imbalances and advise you on Chinese dietary recommendations.