Eating Well Through The Seasons

This is the fifth part of our Eating Well Series. You can choose the links below for our Eating Well In Spring, Summer, Late Summer and Autumn.

Each season has a unique character and purpose. In Five Element Acupuncture, we bring our awareness to these changes and make subtle, important shifts in our diet. In this article, we will help you explore how to eat well and stay healthy in winter.

In winter, the days are short and temperatures drop. In New Jersey we experience cold crisp days and we are often blanketed in snow.

Winter is a time of stillness. We spend more time indoors and our attention shifts inward as we rest, regroup and gather resources for the coming spring.

Winter is symbolized by the Water element, which is governed by the kidney and urinary bladder meridians. Our kidney and urinary bladder organs also correspond to the water element and play important roles in our health – the storing of vital energy.

• Eat more soups, beans & grains
• Enjoy nuts & seeds
• Get more fish in your diet
• Enjoy steamed vegetables
• Be moderate in your consumption of salt, miso and sea vegetables. Balance is key. Too much or too little salt can create health problems.
• For some, it’s important to eat enough carbohydrates, fats and proteins in winter to keep weight on.
• For others, it’s important to reduce overall consumption of food to maintain or lose weight.
• Stay active! Walk or find ways to stay physically active during winter.

Additionally, Five Element Acupuncture is a wonderful tool to support your health as you transition through the seasons. To learn more about the Metal element and how acupuncture can help you, call 973.509.8464 or schedule with us online.

The contents of this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Dietary needs are often complex. Always consult a health care practitioner before choosing it a course of treatment.

This is the fourth part of our Eating Well Series. You can choose the links below for our Eating Well In Spring, Summer and Late Summer.

As the seasons change we can take delight in the unique character of each one. In Five Element Acupuncture, we try to stay tuned to these changes and make subtle yet important shifts in our diet. In this article, we will help you explore how to eat well and stay healthy in autumn.

The days are growing shorter. In the coming weeks, the New York region will soon be dazzled by a rich display of colorful leaves that will fall to the ground, eventually to decay.

The leaves offer us a powerful image that defines this seasons power.  Autumn is a time of richness and inspiration, but it is also a time for letting go what is no longer needed.

Autumn is symbolized by the Metal element, which governs the lung and large intestine meridians. The lung, skin and large intestine organs also correspond to the metal element and play important roles in our health – the receiving of vital energy and the releasing of waste.

• Enjoy salads and steamed vegetables to help cleanse the colon.
• Moderately increase the consumption of complex carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils.
• Consider combining beans or legumes with grains for a complete complement of essential amino acids.
• Avoid excess consumption of complex carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils. (That’s right, this is not a typo! Each of us requires different amounts of food. Too much of the wrong foods can lead to a sluggish colon, elevated cholesterol and digestive problems.)
• Limit the consumption of deep fried foods.
• Drink plenty of herbal teas and water to support digestion and healthy elimination.

Eating well not only strengthens the body, but also the mind and spirit. We can enjoy the cooler days as we transition towards winter. The contents of this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Dietary needs are often complex. Always consult a health care practitioner before choosing it a course of treatment.

Additionally, Five Element Acupuncture is a wonderful tool to support your health as you transition through the seasons. To learn more about the Metal element and how acupuncture can help you, call 973.509.8464 or schedule with us online.

This is the third part of our Eating Well Series. Choose these links for Eating Well In Spring and Eating Well In Summer.

Each season or element has it’s own purpose in life’s cycle of change. We can stay in tune with these elemental shifts with our diet. In this article, we will help you explore how to eat well and stay healthy in late summer.

In Chinese medicine, late summer is sometimes considered the fifth season. It is the transition from summer to fall. In New Jersey, the evenings become cooler and the sounds of crickets fill the air. The seeds we planted in spring have grown, matured and now are ripe with fruit ready to be picked. It is time to reap the harvest and fill our cupboards for the cooler months ahead.

In Five Element Acupuncture, late summer is symbolized by the earth element, which governs the spleen and stomach meridians. The spleen, pancreas and stomach organs also correspond to the earth element and play an important role in the breaking down and distribution of nutrients.

The Earth element also symbolizes both our ability to nurture others and to be nurtured by others. Just as food nourishes us physically, sharing warmth and tenderness with our family, friends and pets nourishes us emotionally.

• Continue to eat light meals and enjoy the rich bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• As grain and winter squash are harvested, our diet should begin to shift. The eating complex carbohydrates helps to us keep warm.
• As the days become cooler, begin consuming more proteins including nuts and seeds.
• Avoid consuming refined sugar as it depletes valuable nutrients from the body including protein, vitamin B, manganese and zinc. Too much sugar can lead to depression, menstrual irregularity, blood sugar challenges and ultimately, diabetes.
• Limit the intake of natural sugars including maple syrup and honey. While these sugars do contain vitamins and minerals, moderation is key.

Eating well not only strengthens the body, but also the mind and spirit. We can enjoy the abundance of late summers promise. The contents of this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Dietary needs are often complex. Always consult a health care practitioner before choosing it a course of treatment.

Additionally, Five Element Acupuncture is a wonderful tool to support your health as you transition through the seasons. To learn more about the fire element and how acupuncture can help you, call 973.509.8464 or schedule with us online.