Nutrition Notes: Water
The Water Element and the Winter Season govern the waterways through the kidneys and bladder.
The Kidneys filter blood and keep the blood and body pure and balanced. The kidneys are directly linked with our essence, Jing, storing our Life Force.
The Bladder is the controller of the waterways, storing andeliminating urine as well as keeping the perfect balance of water in our bodies. The Bladder in Chinese Medicine is considered the seat of the emotions. For the whole of the body to function well, the Bladder must.
Nutritional Notes for Winter and the Water Element include:
With the air cold, one needs a diet that produces heat to keep the inner fire burning with proteins and carbohydrates.
Be accepting and understanding that your body's tone may be less through the winter months as physical activity is decreased.
Fruit should be a very small part of a Winter diet unless one lives in a tropical climate.
Foods should be cooked through with steaming, roasting and sautéing.
Root vegetable and whole grain soups are very nourishing on cold, damp days.
Bone broths, if approrpriate can be very soothing.
Soaked beans and nuts are useful during this time.
Listen to your body, when tired, rest & rejuvenate.
The flavor of Winter is salty which softens hardness and helps purge, cleansing the body.
Salty foods include those from the sea, as well as pickles, tamari, soybeans, miso and tofu.
Take time eating meals peacefully.
Dry mushrooms, harvested in autumn will help to boost the immune system.
Eat foods that are dark in color to benefit the Water Element organs like black rice and black sesame.