We are right in the middle of summer with some HOT days ahead, so it’s more important than ever to prioritize proper nourishment and hydration. Drinking lots of water is a great place to start, but there is more you can do!
Did you know that the water found in fruits and vegetables is more bioavailable and more easily digested than the water you drink from your faucet/bottle/filter? This means that the foods you eat can make a BIG impact on your level of hydration.
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) categorizes foods by their thermic nature. Some foods have a (yin) cooling effect on the body, while others have a (yang) warming effect. So in the heat of the summer when our external environment is very YANG, we need to consume lots of YIN foods to maintain internal balance and health. Ideally, each meal would contain at least one YIN food item to achieve therapeutic effect.
Yin foods tend to have a high water content and contain lots of potassium, like bananas, zucchini, and watermelon. Here’s a list of YIN foods (BOLD ones are extra great):
In addition to consuming YIN foods, it is important to avoid or minimize YANG foods and substances like stimulants (alcohol, caffeine, sugar). If you are a coffee lover or enjoy an adult beverage on occasion, know that you can use the YIN foods to BALANCE out consumption of the YANG items.
Here are some easy meal ideas using YIN foods:
I'm a licensed acupuncturist and holistic health practitioner specializing in functional fertility, women's health and Chinese medicine. I help women get to the root cause of hormonal imbalances, cycle issues, and unexplained infertility challenges so they can feel empowered in their bodies again.
At Connected Healing, we blend the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine with the modern science of functional medicine to create personalized, whole-person care through acupuncture, functional lab testing, integrative care, nutrition, lifestyle shifts and more! If you’re feeling frustrated, confused, or overlooked in your journey, we're here to help you find answers, hope, and healing.
Connected Healing is a leading integrative therapy, Chinese medicine, and functional medicine practice based in the Franklin, Wisconsin that specializes in fertility, women’s health and whole body, integrative care.
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