Introduction
As the leaves change color and the air becomes crisp, fall ushers in a new season of flavors and foods. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each season corresponds to different organ systems and elements within the body. For fall, it's all about the lungs and large intestine, associated with the metal element. This season is an ideal time to nourish and support these organs through our diet. In this blog post, we will delve into the principles of seasonal nutrition for fall from a TCM perspective and share a nourishing recipe that aligns with these principles.
Understanding Fall Nutrition in TCM
In TCM, fall is a time of transition, a period to start slowing down and conserving energy for the colder months ahead. The foods we eat should reflect this shift. It's time to move away from the raw, cooling foods of summer and start incorporating more warming foods into our diet.
The lung and large intestine are considered the organs that relate to fall. These organs are responsible for respiratory health and elimination, respectively. To support them, TCM recommends consuming foods that are moistening to counteract the dryness of fall air, which can lead to dry skin, lips, hair, and mucous membranes.
Foods to Incorporate
Pears are a perfect example of a moistening food. They're sweet, juicy, and known in TCM for their ability to clear heat from the lungs, moisten dryness, and generate body fluids. Other moistening foods include almonds, sesame seeds, honey, tofu, dairy products like yogurt or cheese, eggs, shellfish, bananas, apples, grapes, seaweed and mushrooms.
In addition to moistening foods, it's also beneficial to consume warming and spicy foods during fall. These include root vegetables like sweet potatoes or carrots; spices like ginger or cinnamon; proteins like chicken or beef; grains like oats or brown rice; nuts like walnuts or chestnuts.
Recipe: Pear & Ginger Soup
To help you incorporate these principles into your diet this fall season let's dive into a simple yet nourishing recipe - Pear & Ginger Soup.
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe pears - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated) - 2 cups vegetable broth - 1 tablespoon honey - A pinch of cinnamon - Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Peel the pears and remove their cores. Cut them into small pieces. 2. In a pot over medium heat add the vegetable broth. 3. Add the pear pieces and grated ginger into the pot. 4. Bring it to boil then reduce heat to low. 5. Let it simmer until pears are soft (about 20 minutes). 6. Use an immersion blender or transfer soup into a blender. 7. Blend until smooth. 8. Return soup back to pot if using blender. 9. Stir in honey and cinnamon. 10. Add salt according to taste. 11. Serve warm.
This soup is not only delicious but also aligns with TCM principles for fall nutrition - pears for their moistening properties and ginger for its warming effect and considerd spicy.
Conclusion
Embracing seasonal nutrition is about more than just eating what's fresh at your local farmer's market - it's about aligning your diet with your body's needs during each season according to TCM principles. As we transition into fall remember to incorporate more warming (slightly spicy) and moistening foods into your diet to support your lung and large intestine health.
