The Importance of Mindful Eating for Men in Winter
Many men believe that winter is the perfect time for personal development and rejuvenation. They seize every opportunity to boost their health. However, it's essential to be aware of the "Four Taboos" to maximize the benefits of winter nourishment.
Taboo #1: Eating Dog Meat Blindly
While consuming dog meat can be beneficial for individuals with weak constitutions or those suffering from arthritis, it’s crucial to approach this practice cautiously. Eating dog meat without proper knowledge can lead to severe health risks, including rabies if the meat is contaminated. Furthermore, it’s advisable not to drink tea after consuming dog meat. The tannins in tea combine with the proteins in dog meat, creating a compound that can slow intestinal movement and reduce moisture in stools. This prolonged retention can result in the absorption of harmful toxins and carcinogens by the body.
Taboo #2: Confusing Deficiencies
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the principle of treatment is "nourishing what is deficient." If one is not truly deficient, a normal diet suffices. It’s vital to understand the properties and applicability of supplements to ensure they are suitable for individual needs. Experts emphasize that supplementation should focus on "nourishing deficiencies and compensating losses," recognizing four types of deficiencies: Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Yang deficiency, each of which requires different treatment approaches.
1. Qi Deficiency
Common symptoms include fatigue, low voice, spontaneous sweating, pale tongue with white coating, and weak pulse. To replenish Qi, options include ginseng, royal jelly, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan, American ginseng, astragalus, codonopsis, and yam.
2. Blood Deficiency
Symptoms are often pale complexion, pale lips, dizziness, heart palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, numbness in hands and feet, pale tongue, and weak pulse. To nourish blood, recommendations include blood tonic syrup, Shi Quan Da Bu Wan, Gui Pi Wan, angelica, donkey-hide gelatin, and longan meat.
3. Yin Deficiency
Common signs include night sweats, a sensation of heat in the palms and soles, dry mouth, cough with little phlegm, dry eyes, and a red tongue with scant coating. To nourish Yin, suitable options are Da Bu Yin Wan, ginseng with goji berries and royal jelly, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, white fungus, turtle shell, ophiopogon, desert living stem, and black sesame.
4. Yang Deficiency
Symptoms can include pale complexion, cold limbs, impotence, low appetite, and watery stools. To invigorate Yang, remedies such as Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan, deer antler oral liquids, Gui Ling Gao, deer antler, purple river vehicle, gecko, caterpillar fungus, and eucommia can be beneficial.
When consuming supplements, it’s important to consider digestive health. If the spleen and stomach are weak or if there are signs of stagnation, it’s advisable to include herbs that strengthen the spleen and liver, such as dried tangerine peel, cardamom, and malt, to assist digestion.
Additionally, if a person is experiencing exterior pathogens (such as a cold), it is generally recommended to first clear those conditions before starting any nourishment to avoid exacerbating the issue or allowing pathogens to linger.
Conclusion
Winter can be a season of healing and rejuvenation, but it is crucial to respect these guidelines. By being mindful of these taboos, men can effectively improve their health and well-being during the cold months.