Perhaps more than anything else in our lives, the foods we regularly eat help determine whether or not we will become ill, or remain healthy into older age. We seem to know all about fats, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins, but no matter how advanced our knowledge on food is, there are always studies that introduce something new and diet theories that get debunked. With so many healthy diet theories flying around these days, it can be hard to know what is actually good for our bodies. What do our bodies really need?
Chinese medicine has a completely different view of food, one that's been established for thousands of years. It has successfully been used as a therapeutic method of disease prevention and treatment around the world. Instead of viewing meals as a breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, Chinese culture reflects an awareness of the healing qualities of food as a kind of folk wisdom. What we regard as complicated is practiced on a daily basis in China, for example, the simple balancing of hot and cold: cold weather is balanced by eating foods that have a warming effect on the body, such as ginger tea, garlic, fennel, oats, lamb, salmon, etc. Hot weather is balanced by eating cooling foods such as raw fruit and vegetables, cucumber, watermelon, salads or, barley.
This knowledge of the healing qualities of food was practiced and treasured in our own culture until recently, but has gotten lost in the trend toward “fast food.” Similar connections between food and medicine have been made since antiquity. Hippocrates recommended “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” Hildegard von Bingen, the eleventh-century German visionary naturalist and healer, used foods for healing by devising energetic classifications that are surprisingly similar to Chinese food classifications.
At Escapada, we simplify healthy eating for you by applying the precious, long-standing principles of Chinese nutritional medicine. We all come with a unique constitution and therefore it is absolutely necessary to take “you” into consideration when deciding what’s healthy and what’s not. Food is pure nourishment for every cell of our body, that can be used to strengthen specific organ functions and treat various signs and symptoms. Our individualised health consultation and plan will explore a dietary plan that is just right for your and your health.
“A nourishing and balanced diet can support and address yourunique constitution to protect you from disease.”
OUR VIBES
One size does not fit all
How do you feel after eating certain foods? Just like we all have different personalities, we also all have different body constitutions and thus different needs. The best diet is one that works for your unique constitution and takes into consideration your signs and symptoms. Listen to your body and eat only foods that make you feel really good. When digestive issues occur, it signifies that your digestive system is overwhelmed.
Start the day with a Breakfast
Breakfast revs up the body after a night's sleep, giving us energy and nutrients to face the day. By morning, we are ready to "break the fast" after a stretch of not eating. The blood sugar (glucose) we need to power our muscles and brains is normally low when we wake up, and breakfast helps replenish it. But if we miss the day's first meal, the whole system gets stressed, throwing off the normal circadian rhythm of fasting and feeding. Eat to ignite your digestive system when Stomach and Spleen are most active according to the Chinese medicine organ clock - between 7am - 11am.
Eating at regular intervals
Traditional Chinese medical wisdom around diet concurs with the adage “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.” Long fasts and skipping meals is said to weaken the Spleen and lead to deficiencies in the body. Instead, your should eat at regular intervals as the earth element (Spleen and Stomach) loves a routine. Eating at about the same times every day can help the gastrointestinal tract to perform optimally.
seasonAl Eating
Eating according to the seasons is very important as our bodies also go through cyclical changes throughout the year. Pretty simple advice - fill your plate with mainly fresh lightly cooked vegetables, grains and seeds that are in season and you find at your local farm or health food shop. Your body will thank you.
CookING & eatING mindfully
Taking time to cook and eat with joy is important, so slow down and chew your food fully. Celebrate the food that is giving you life. Mindfulness can help boost your digestion and make you feel better all around. This new awareness can also help you tune in to any food sensitivities or foods that may not be best for your body. Try to avoid eating when you are stressed-out or aggravated as this can negatively impact digestion.
Cut back in the cold raw foods
Too much cold foods can slow down our physiological processes, and create dampness, and put out our digestive fires, so a Chinese diet tends to stay away from things like ice water, smoothies and too many raw salads. Opt for room temperature water, slightly steamed vegetables, and if you are craving those crunchy raw salads, have a cup of nice warm soup or bone broth first in order to aid digestion and improve your sense of well being.
Listen to your body
It is important to listen to your body when it tells you it is “full” or has had enough. Overeating makes it hard for the Spleen and Stomach to effectively digest food and allocate the nutrients to parts of the body that need it the most. Underrating may leave the body malnourished or dehydrated leading to things such as constipation or slow healing times.
Get up and move!
In Chinese medicine the root of many diseases is stagnation, and lack of movement and Qi flow, so make sure you get your blood moving. Walks after eating as well as regular exercise can help boost your metabolism and improve your digestive functions.
Finding the golden middle
At the end of the day, how do we decide what is considered to be healthy and what should be avoided? At Escapada, every food is nutritious, and as long as a healthy person doesn't eat too much of any one food, nothing is unhealthy. We simply want to avoid extremes so as to avoid overstraining the digestive organs. After all, it's all about balance. During your health consultation, we will explore how you need to eat to feel you best.
LET YOUR LIFESTYLE BE YOUR MEDICINE
MOve
READ MORE
treat
READ MORE
Rest
READ MORE