Many people that come into my office complain that during the winter months their bodies shut down and go into hibernation. With today’s modern world many people struggle with this biological habit of our body, but don’t know what to do. Here is a brief explanation of how you can eat according to the season and specifically eat for winter.

It goes without saying that one of the conditions I see the most in my office is adrenal exhaustion, which in Chinese Medicine is intimately connected with the kidneys. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine do a GREAT job of strengthening the adrenals and the kidneys so if you are suffering from seasonal affect disorder or simply the winter blues try this diet and come in and get some treatments! You’re body will know the difference. I digress…

The tastes of the winter season are salty and bitter. In the 5-element theory the kidneys and the element of water rule winter. Salty and bitter foods promote sinking and centering – which bring nourishment to the lower abdomen the area we call the Dan Tien or Tan Tien. Caution though – excess of salt creates tightness and weakens the organs of the heart and kidneys.

Examples of bitter foods include lettuce, watercress, endive, escarole, turnip, celery, asparagus, alfalfa, carrot top, rye, oats, quinoa, and amaranth. Citrus peels are also bitter and are a commonly used Chinese Herb. They make a pleasant tea or flavored warm water in the winter.

Some salty foods include miso, soy sauce, seaweeds, salt, millet, barley, and any food made with the addition of a moderate amount of salt.

If you are the type of individual who always has cold extremities or is always cold in the winter it’s a good idea to add warming foods. You need to nourish your yang energy. Warming foods could include adding black pepper, hot peppers, chili powder or a nice curry. Other foods which you can try are garlic, onions, chives, scallions, leeks, chicken, lamb, trout, and salmon. Indian foods are great for nourish your yang during the winter months – try fenugreek seeds, fennel, anise, dried ginger, and cinnamon bark. Many of these ingredients can be found already pre-mixed into a nice gram masala. Making your own is easy and fun.

Try this out:

• 4 tbsps coriander seeds

• 1 tbsp cumin seeds

• 1 tbsp black peppercorns

• 1 ½ tsps black cumin seeds (shahjeera)

• ¾ tsp black cardamom (3-4 large pods approx)

• ¾ tsp cloves

• ¾ tsp cinnamon (2 X 1” pieces)

• ¾ tsp crushed bay leaves

All of these spices are considered warm and when you mix them together you can then lightly brown them using olive oil or a high heat high quality oil (safflower for example) and / or butter or gee (clarified butter). Then you can grind these herbs or add them to a soup, stir fry, or use a rub for a lamb or chicken (if you eat meat!).

Yum.

To actually achieve benefits from this diet you must follow it true to form during the winter months. You can’t just eat your normal salads after a week of yang tonifying and kidney nourishing. In general soups, cooked foods, roasted foods and baked foods are far better to eat than raw foods during the winter months.

Additionally you can try taking vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin B12. These rich nutrients can aide against adrenal disorders, stave off seasonal affect syndrome, and some say promote jing – or the vital energy of the kidney.

Other vital foods include making your own almond milk (soak blanched almonds overnight and use a blender to create a delicious milk adding honey or agave as a sweetener) or even eating Royal Jelly and bee pollen. These honeybee products are incredibly concentrated in vital nutrients.

Finally sometimes we must just embrace the season. Too many times we feel the resistance of nature and it causes us internal strife. Realize that winter is a time for relaxation, enjoyable but not extended time outside, sleep, recuperation and enjoyment of the quiet months of yin before the crazy busy summer yang months are upon us.

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