General guidelines for healthy eating
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a Chinese medical view
In Chinese medicine, the central organs of digestion are the Spleen and Stomach. Digestion involves converting food and liquids into usable substances (such as Blood) within our bodies and sending them to where they are needed. The Stomach “rottens and ripens” and the Spleen “transforms and transports”. They are responsible for providing the nourishment which supports all aspects of healthy functioning.
Some general considerations for helping the Stomach and Spleen in their digestive function:
Eat widely: the traditional Chinese diet is wide though not rich. All foods are seen as having value and it is considered wise to eat from a variety of sources to gain all the benefits the body needs.
Eat according to the season: eating according to season is a way of life for most people, and was universal before the changes brought about by fast transport and refrigeration.
Eat regularly: the regularity of eating habits supports the Spleen, so try not to skip meals.
Eat the main meal early: when we eat late at night our system is naturally slowing down and the food sits around for longer in the digestive tract. This can create congestion of Qi and the body has to work harder to digest the food.
Eat with pleasure: enjoying food is part of opening to being fully nourished by what we eat. If we are relaxed and happy when we eat, and in our relationship with food, then our bodies will accept the food more effectively in our system.
Chew well: Well-chewed food lessens the work our digestive organs have to do and increases the efficient extraction of nutrients. Chewing also warms chilled food.
Stop just before you are full: if we overeat at any one meal, we can create congestion of Qi, a temporary queue of food waiting to be processed. As a result we feel tired while our energy is occupied digesting the excess food. If this is a habit, the Spleen becomes over-strained.
Don’t flood the Spleen: the Spleen doesn’t like too much fluid with a meal. A little warm fluid with a meal is helpful, but too much dilutes the Spleen’s action and weakens digestion. Most fluid is best consumed between meals.
Don’t chill the Spleen: Too much raw or chilled food will also weaken the Spleen. The digestive process needs warmth.
Choose foods with strong life force: it is helpful to include as much fresh, locally grown and organic quality food in our diets as possible, as the life force is more strongly preserved. The life force of food can be damaged by microwave cooking, excessive processing, chemical preservation and freezing.
For more information see Supporting our Qi, Blood and Removing Dampness Through Food.