The Cold Food Dilemma
In my early twenties, I believed I had nailed down the perfect diet; I was slender, had radiant skin, and thought I was meeting all my nutritional needs. I was busy working in the corporate world and my breakfast often consisted of Greek yogurt with berries and half a cup of coffee while checking emails. Lunch was a Fresh & Co. ritual where I indulged in a chopped salad loaded with spinach, veggies, and a protein source, all dressed in raspberry vinaigrette. I prided myself on getting a day's worth of veggies in a single bowl. My diet seemed flawless – I was the queen of all things health.
Turns out, amidst this self-proclaimed ‘health,’ I was B12 anemic, had incredibly low energy, and experienced chronic digestive issues like constipation and bloating, painful periods, mood swings, insomnia, and an underlying sense of anxiety.
I was caught in the Western Medicine food theory trap of focusing purely on the calories and nutrients of my food but completely ignoring the energetics of what I was eating. It wasn't until my late twenties, when I discovered Chinese Medicine that I realized the impact of my diet on my health. Chinese Medicine taught me that diet and food choices should not just maintain weight but *must* support overall well-being. Skinny, slender, and slim don't always mean healthy.
Fact: the most transformative change I made was transitioning from consuming cold and raw foods to embracing warm, cooked foods.
In Chinese Medicine dietary theory, the temperature and food preparation are crucial and just as important as the food we eat. Eating warm and lightly cooked foods aligns with our digestive system's preference for a warm environment. Cold foods constrict the natural movement of the gut, requiring more energy for digestion. This energy, derived from qi (energy), is essential for overall organ function. If the body expends too much energy on digestion, it has less to allocate elsewhere.
Why Food Temperature Matters
Warm foods facilitate the conversion of consumed food into Blood, a vital element in Chinese Medicine. Blood warms the body, regulates the menstrual cycle and fertility, nourishes tissues and organs, and forms the basis for creating qi and mental clarity. Proper digestion is pivotal for manufacturing Blood, making warm foods far more preferable.
Take a moment and think about your body's response to cold, much like going outside without a coat in winter. Cold constricts, causing your body to curl up and restricting energy channels. Warm foods create a warm, free-flowing internal environment, essential for maintaining blood flow and overall health.
But I Love Eating Salads!
Now, you might wonder about the refreshing feeling you get from salads. This response is twofold: salads prompt the body to generate energy to warm up the gut, which can feel exciting but is depleting in the long run. Take time and get fully attuned to your body's signals. While salads are light and refreshing, listening to how your body truly responds is crucial.
Does this mean salads are off-limits? Not at all. Enjoy them occasionally, but in winter, it's advisable to avoid them. During summer, balance salads with soups and teas; add warm-cooked veggies, grains, or protein to warm up your salad.
Your diet and the foods you consume should not just support how you look — it should support how you actually feel.
Over the years, I've witnessed remarkable transformations in health by encouraging the adoption of warm foods. Patients with unresolved gut issues, unexplained fertility challenges, chronic headaches, and menstrual cramps have experienced significant improvements. While warm foods aren't a quick fix, they are a substantial foundation to get you to where you want to — and should — be. When properly fueled, the body can leverage its innate ability to heal.
