Dietary Therapy for Diabetics
TCM emphasizes dietary therapy. Diabetics should not only be cautious about food choices—avoiding high-sugar and high-fat foods—but can also select suitable pharmacological diets to regulate the body. Dr. Li Saimei provides several dietary recipes tailored to different diabetic needs.
Objective One: Regulate Spleen and Stomach
Ingredients: 5g Chinese yam, 5g Poria, 5 jujubes (without honey-coated ones, which have higher sugar content, more suitable for diabetics)
Method: Steam in a bowl
Serving size: One person
Additions: When digestive function is poor, add 5g Codonopsis pilosula and 10g Astragalus membranaceus
Frequency: Once per week
Objective Two: Nourish Liver and Kidneys
Ingredients: 5g Prepared Polygonum multiflorum, 5g Goji berries, 5 longan meats, 3 ounces of black chicken meat
Method: Steam in a bowl
Serving size: One person<brFrequency: No more than once per week
Objective Three: Tonify Lung Qi and Reduce Thirst
Ingredients: 10g silver ear fungus, half a coreless snow pear, 5 jujubes
Method: Steam in a bowl
Serving size: One person<brFrequency: No more than once per week
Objective Four: Invigorate Qi and Activate Blood
Ingredients: 5g American ginseng slices, 5g Notoginseng slices
Method: Steam in a bowl
Serving size: One person<brFrequency: No more than once per week
Objective Five: Lower Lipids
Ingredients: Appropriate amount of black fungus
Method: Add during daily stir-frying
Frequency: Can be consumed daily
Objective Six: Aid Digestion, Promote Bowel Movement, Lower Lipids, Move Qi
Ingredients: Appropriate amount of hawthorn or dried tangerine peel
Method: Boil into tea
Note: People with gastric acid or ulcers should drink less or after meals