Do you enjoy what you eat?
I found it quite interesting that after years of studying nutrition, anatomy, and physiology, I was never asked the question, do you enjoy what you eat? The focus was always more of a scientific approach. Often, discussing what the macro-nutrients: carbohydrates , proteins and fats do in the body. Then delving a bit deeper into micronutrients and their necessity to life but often discussing their levels more in the realm of the RDA. What about the need for more than the RDA for optimal health? What About enjoying the food we eat? Even more importantly enjoying the way we feel after eating? Is your energy replenished? Are you satiated? Would you say your food gives you the energy to get through you day? Do you have enough Qi or energy to also exercise or have some fun time? If we really think about it, we eat to get the nutrients and energy we need to build our bodies, repair our broken down parts and cells and nourish our spirits.
Unfortunately, our palates have been duped sometimes. High sugar, high glycemic carbohydrates have become a major part of our diets paired with over-processed oils that not only have been robbed of the life force energy we need from foods, but have also taken the place of the nutrients we do need to live a healthful life. Chinese Dietary therapy takes a deeper look at what foods help to strengthen the organs and their functions. Now you might say I don’t believe in that mumbo-jumbo. Well, let us list the jobs that thousands of years have wisdom have laid out. The major jobs the body must do to stay healthful have been divided up amongst each organ.
The Functions of the Organs
Lung
Take in the Qi of Air (Qing QI) and decent and disperse Qi throughout the body
Controls the Channels and Blood Vessels
Regulates the Water Passages (diffusing water between the muscles and the skin, collects water throughout the body and sends water down to the Kidneys and Bladder
Spleen
Governs the Transform and transportation the Qi of Food (Gu Qi)
Controls the Blood
Controls the Muscles
Houses Intellect
Heart
Governs Blood
Controls the Blood Vessels
Houses the Mind
Liver
Promote the smooth flow of energy throughout the body, all the way to fingertips and tippy toes.
Stores Blood
Kidneys
Store Essence
Produce Marrow ( the substance that generates the Spinal Cord and the Brain) after that it is transformed into bone marrow which then generates bone
Controls the reception of Qi
The Ming Men Fire/Fire of Life or Basal Metabolic Rate is housed between the Kidneys
Gall Bladder
Stores and excretes Bile
Controls Decisiveness
Controls the Sinews
Small Intestine
Controls Receiving and Transforming
Separates the Fluids
San Jiao
Mobilizes Yuan Qi (Original Qi)
Controls the Transformation and Penetration of Qi
Controls the water passages and the excretion of fluids
Stomach
Rot and Ripen the Food (so it can be transformed and transported by the Spleen
Controls Receiving (Receives food and drink and holds them down)
Controls the transportation of food essences
the origin of fluids
Large Intestine
Controls Passage and Conduction
transforms stool and reabsorbs fluids
Bladder
Removes Water by Qi Transformation
Works closely with the Small Intestine, Heart, Liver, and Lung
Is relied upon by the Kidney to excrete “dirty” fluids
What is the goal of Chinese Dietary Therapy?
Quite simply, Chinese Dietary therapy is not a fad diet. It is simply food recommendations based on what your body needs to return to optimal health and help you handle the stresses your environment puts before you. The environment is all-encompassing from the weather to air quality, to the stress we must endure each day to work and play.
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