Lack of vitality or energy is one of the main silent diseases of the 21st century. He chronic fatigue can be managed by knowing what kind of energy do you have and learning to improve it through energy nutrition.

Energy nutrition is based on Foods, in addition to nutrients, contain a type of energy which provides them with special qualities, conferred by the place where they have grown, the sunlight they have received, their type of growth, etc. Based on this knowledge, it is possible to use food to achieve a specific and individualized effect on each person.

energy nutrition according to Chinese medicine

Actually, there are many energy nutritions: Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian or Ayurvedic… Any proposal that takes into account, in addition to biochemical nutrients, the energetic effect that food produces in our body It is an «energy nutrition», but we are going to focus on the one based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This is based on Taoist philosophy, a conception of the world based on balance of two main complementary energies: yin and yang.

• The yin energy is fresh, slow, introspective, nocturnal and calming.
• The yang energy is hot, fast, extroverted, daytime and activating.

In each food, the play between these energies provides certain properties that can be used to achieve greater balance on all levels: the physical, mental and emotional.

On the other hand, traditional Chinese medicine texts insist on explaining that, in addition to external factors that may cause illness, Our emotions are mainly responsible for making us sick. and we lose vitality. Or, rather, energy imbalances occur in the main organs and systems, which may lack or have excess of a certain type of energy.

Is your energy more yin or more yang?

To make the necessary adjustments and regain vitality, it is essential know one’s own energy constitution. Only then can you choose the foods that will be beneficial.

People can also be more yin or more yang. It is worth clarifying that one energy is not worse than the other and that both are always present.

The important thing is Identify what the dominant tendency is to learn to harmonize it and thus enjoy more well-being during the years you have to live: adding more life to the years.

• How to know if you are a yin person: Your digestion can be slow, heavy and long. You tend to be constipated or produce pasty stools. Alcohol and other toxins harm you more than other people. You recover slowly, you need to sleep and go slowly so as not to exhaust yourself. You are a hypersensitive, cold person and you feel better when you enjoy the sun.
• How to know if you are a yang person: You digest very quickly, you overeat and you are very hungry. You are hot. You eliminate toxins (feces, urine, sweat…) very quickly. You put up with physical discomfort a lot, but you are prone to addictions and anxiety. You can sleep little and function better in the afternoon and evening.

Balance your energy levels with food

The art of enjoying more vitality consists, therefore, in balancing your constitution through diet and lifestyle habits. The key to doing this is in the food flavors.

According to the MTC, there are five flavors that correspond to five energetic movements and can be used to harmonize the functioning of our body.

This is possible because Each flavor is associated with one of the main organs or energy systems and an emotional state.. A little of the flavor corresponding to an organ helps it function better and balance the related emotion, but too much saturates it and can cause dysfunction.

How foods act according to their taste

Moderation and balance are essential for Chinese energy nutrition. Let’s look at the qualities of the flavors:

• Salty: It has a refreshing tendency and helps to tone energy in generalmoves it downwards and inwards. It is useful for treating lack of inner strength, fear and weakness. Ideal for convalescents and people with fatigue due to stress. A little salty taste stimulates digestion and refreshes the internal fire (anxiety). This flavor is very important for TCM because harmonizes the kidneyan organ that collects the innate energy that will accompany us until our physical body leaves this world. In addition to salt, it is provided by seaweed, eggs, umeboshi plums or tamari sauce.
• Acid: Collect the energy so that it does not escape and is not lost. The flavor of lemon, strawberry, vinegar or raspberry is useful before emotional disturbances such as anger or resentment because it collects and channels those emotions. It is used in organic disorders that cause fluid loss: vomiting, diarrhea, sweating and bleeding. A little acid also activates blood circulation, stimulates bile production and improves digestive discomfort. The people of yang constitution They have to keep this flavor in mind, as it helps them refresh their internal heat and reduce the tendency to experience unexpected emotional explosions.

• Bitter: Help reduce heat, regulate anxiety, calm internal fire. On an emotional level, it is used to balance nervousness, anxiety and impatience. It is useful for drain fluids and fat of the body, to stimulate digestive metabolism and elimination. A little bitter flavor, like that offered by asparagus, spinach, endive or endive, stimulates gastric juices and helps digest large meals.
• Sweet: It is present in almost all foods and helps harmonize all organs and emotions. It is a wild card flavor, which is always useful to tone and strengthen without cooling or heating the body, since its temperature is neutral. A little of this flavor in each meal lubricates all the organs and improves their functioning. Both, Provides peace, calm and a sense of grounding in our thoughts and emotions. According to TCM, this flavor is so nutritious that it should be found in abundant proportions in the dishes of those people who need to recover from an illness, or who are weak or underweight. Your energy is very important to give physical and mental stabilitysince the sweet flavor nourishes the energy center so that energy can expand from it through a good decomposition of food. It is also the star flavor in children’s menus to help them grow healthy, strong and balanced. But this doesn’t mean that anything sweet, like refined sugar, produces these effects. We always talk about natural and whole foodslike, in this case, pumpkin, carrot, potato or sweet potato.
• Spicy: Helps move energy and has a very yang nature which promotes perspiration, warms the body and increases breathing rate. A little spice, like that which characterizes ginger, turnip, leek or onion, stimulates digestion and is ideal for weak digestive systems. Also activates immunity and helps in detoxification processes. On an emotional level, it favors release of entrenched emotionssuch as melancholy or sadness, and activates motivation.

The art of stimulating your vitality

Based on the knowledge of your own nature, the physical and emotional moment in which you find yourself, you can make menus that will contribute to greater vitality and well-being.

You can learn to conserve and regenerate energy with each of the meals of the day. You can pay attention to the physical and emotional effect of each food. Before, you can ask yourself what you need or why you crave one food or another at a certain time.

Energy eating is holistic and consciousand it can transform the way you relate to food.

Energy feeding also takes seasonality into account. The properties of a food are related to the time of year in which it can be harvested, which is the most opportune to consume it.

And keep in mind all the details surrounding the act of eating So that the effect is as positive as possible: eat during the day and sleep at night, have dinner early and little, move daily, sunbathe in the morning every day, rest your mind from time to time and be grateful for everything you have.

Menu to have energy depending on whether you are yin or yang

The following autumn-winter seasonal menus They are designed to promote the vitality of people according to their energy.

For yin people

People with a yin energy tendency are best served by abundant breakfasts, eat early and littleprioritize long cooking and often include in recipes roots and tubers.

On the other hand, very cold foods or an excess of raw vegetables and fruits are not good for them.

Breakfast:

Meal:

• Steamed broccoli.
• Baked sweet potato with cinnamon powder.
• Chickpea curry with brown rice.

Dinner:

• Carrot and onion cream with turmeric.

good for everyone

Chinese dietetics makes recommendations that benefit everyone, whatever the energy trend. It is advisable, for example, avoid very hot or very cold preparations, or dishes with a single flavor.

Furthermore, it is important eat relaxed and chew well every bite.

For yang people

It is convenient for these people to carry out a early breakfast and a second breakfast mid-morning. It is also beneficial for them combine plant proteins and vegetables.

Given the hot nature of yang-dominant people, it may do them good to cool down by increasing the servings of fruit and fresh salads.

Breakfast:

• An orange and a green tea with lemon.
• Whole wheat rye bread with avocado and anchovies or chia pudding with pumpkin seeds and kiwi.

Meal:

• Arugula salad, radishes, fresh cheese, onion and grated carrot.
• Lentils with carrot, turnip and artichokes.
• A couple of tangerines.

Dinner:

5 foods to regain energy balance

The energetic properties of some foods are indicated to get out of physical and mental ruts, to leave fatigue behind and increase well-being.

• Turnip: With sweet, spicy and bitter nuances, it has an energy that helps purify the body. Indicated in case of mucus, edema and overweight.
• Genmai miso: This fermented soy and rice paste has a sweet and mild flavor. It is detoxifying and stimulates immunity. It is recommended for flu and colds.
• Pumpkin: Its energy is neutral and its flavor is sweet. Provides digestive comfort and calm. Recommended to satisfy the desire to eat something sweet.
• Kombu: Increases vigor, provides strength if you are very yin and promotes immunity. Helps recover energy after an illness.
• Shiitakes: It is a basic remedy of traditional Chinese medicine. Strengthens the immune system, improves circulation and helps reduce body temperature.