In today’s fast-paced society, people often eat while walking, ignoring the opportunity to give their bodies important rest for the spleen and stomach. Traditional Chinese medicine wisdom tells us that appropriate hunger can actually promote the rest and recovery of the digestive system, thereby enhancing nutrient absorption and ensuring the body’s qi and blood are replenished. Next, let’s explore from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine how to scientifically arrange the three meals a day.
Traditional Chinese dietary philosophy is closely linked to health, not only viewing food as a source of energy but also as a key to harmonizing the yin and yang in the body and optimizing the functions of internal organs. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes dietary principles that vary from person to person and adapt to the environment, including allowing the body to appropriately experience hunger to give the spleen and stomach necessary rest.
Moderate hunger brings multiple benefits: – It allows the digestive system to breathe, not only enhancing digestion efficiency but also making nutrient components more easily absorbed by the body, nourishing qi and blood. – This state can stimulate intestinal peristalsis, promote smooth bowel movements, and maintain the normal operation of the digestive system. – Research shows that brief periods of hunger can also activate the immune system, enhance defense against diseases, and reduce the occurrence of chronic inflammation.
Applied to daily meals, traditional Chinese medicine recommends the following arrangements: – Breakfast should be nutritionally balanced, rich in proteins, vitamins, and dietary fiber, providing ample energy for the new day, while also ensuring enough time for the spleen and stomach to rest after the previous night’s dinner. – Lunch should strive for moderate balance, avoiding overeating, and engaging in light activity after meals to aid digestion, rather than sitting or lying down immediately. – Dinner should be light, reducing intake of high-fat and high-starch foods to avoid burdening the spleen and stomach at night, and similarly, light activities are suitable after meals.
When implementing, pay attention to several details: – Ensure a 3 to 4-hour interval between meals, neither excessive hunger nor overeating, and choose high-quality ingredients. – Avoid overly greasy foods to avoid disrupting digestive functions. – Plan light exercise before and after meals rationally, avoiding intense exercise that stresses the spleen and stomach. – Cultivate the habit of chewing food slowly and thoroughly to reduce the digestive workload of the spleen and stomach and promote thorough food digestion. – Maintain a light and moderate dinner, complementary to the rich breakfast and balanced lunch concepts advocated by traditional Chinese medicine.
In conclusion, by following the dietary wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine, we can not only learn how to healthily arrange our diet but also effectively nourish the spleen and stomach, maintaining harmony and balance within and outside the body.
