Spring Dietary Regulation in Three Phases
TCM holds that spring is a season of yang energy rising. Thus, people should align with seasonal changes through dietary regulation to maintain health. General dietary principles are: 1. Choose high-calorie foods in staple items; 2. Ensure sufficient high-quality protein; 3. Ensure adequate vitamins.
High-calorie foods refer to not only staples like rice and wheat, but also moderate additions of legumes, peanuts, and other calorie-dense foods. High-quality proteins include dairy, eggs, fish, poultry, and lean meats from pigs, cattle, and sheep. Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins—tomatoes and green peppers, for example, contain abundant vitamin C, essential for strengthening the body and resisting illness.
Spring dietary regulation can be divided into three phases.
Early Spring: Transition between winter and spring, temperatures remain cold, and the body consumes more energy. Therefore, consume slightly warming foods. Diet principle: choose higher-calorie staples and ensure sufficient protein. Besides rice and grain, include legumes, peanuts, dairy products, etc. Example breakfast: 1 bag of milk (~250ml), 100g staple food, moderate side dish. Lunch: 150g staple food, 50g lean meat (or soy products), 200g vegetables, moderate egg or meat soup. Dinner: 100g staple food, 50g egg/fish/meat (or soy products), 200g vegetables, 1 bowl of bean porridge.
Mid-Spring: Period of significant weather fluctuations, with rapid temperature swings. Follow early spring dietary guidelines. When temperatures rise, increase vegetable intake and reduce meat consumption.
Late Spring: Transition between spring and summer, temperatures grow warmer. Favor light, mild foods. Principle: choose light foods and ensure ample vitamins—add more vegetables. Example breakfast: 250ml soy milk, 100g staple food, moderate side dish. Lunch: 150g staple food, 50g fish/egg/meat (or soy products), 250g vegetables, moderate vegetable soup. Dinner: 100g staple food, 200g vegetables, 1 bowl of rice porridge.
Consume extra fruits like cherries daily, as fruits provide vitamins and minerals beneficial for strengthening the body.
Avoid raw, cold, greasy foods in spring. Traditional medicine holds that spring is when liver Qi flourishes; excessive sour foods intensify liver Qi, harming the spleen and stomach. Thus, limit sour food intake.