P. Sze 
Are you tired of following crash diets and rigorous workout routines? Do you feel like there’s nothing that could help you lose weight? If you’re struggling to lose weight, traditional Chinese medicine can help.
TCM is an ancient medical system that uses techniques to address health issues. According to TCM, weight gain is caused by an underlying health issue. Thus, using TCM techniques like acupuncture and Tai Chi can help you lose weight. Besides these, good nutrition is very important.
So, how does TCM nutrition play an important role in weight loss and good health? Dr. Gene Wei, an expert TCM practitioner, explains the importance of diet using TCM therapy. With the help of Dr. Gene Wei’s suggestions for weight loss, you’ll be able to shed those extra pounds.
Understanding TCM Nutrition Principles
According to Dr. Gene Wei, it is important to understand TCM nutrition for weight loss. TCM suggests that health issues arise due to a blockage in the path of the energy flow. ‘Qi’ is the energy in the body that consists of Yin (cooling) and Yang (heating) elements. TCM nutrition principles include a diet that helps balance the Yin and Yang in the body.
Using the TCM diet for weight loss, we can address these issues. TCM nutrition follows a few principles that lead to a healthy weight. The fundamental TCM nutrition principles include:
- TCM Food Energetics
- Seasonality
- TCM Herbalism
- Body constitution and health condition
- Flexibility and enjoyment
TCM Therapy for Weight Loss
Dr. Gene Wei suggests that most weight-related issues are related to spleen function. When the spleen doesn’t work, the body accumulates “dampness,” which results in obesity. The TCM diet for weight loss helps in two ways:
- Removing dampness by eliminating phlegm
- Improve the spleen’s function
People who want to burn stubborn fat faster should follow the TCM diet plan. According to Dr. Gene Wei, the concept of food energetics in TCM plays an important role here. When body fluids keep accumulating in the body, they create dampness. This dampness is one of the leading causes of weight gain.
The two main ingredients in the TCM diet are turmeric and cardamom. These ingredients support healthy spleen function and also affect the production of GLP-1. Turmeric and cardamom are both beneficial for the spleen.
Besides that, your body type also determines the type of TCM therapy required. For instance, if you are the Wood type, which rules the liver, green tea would be beneficial. Have a look at this table to understand more about foods that promote weight loss:
| Flavor | Type | Benefits | Foods |
| Salty | Yin | Improves digestion, purges the bowels, and detoxifies | Barley, salt, seaweed, and millet |
| Sour | Yin | Prevents excessive sweating and diarrhea and acts as an absorbent | Lemon, pickles, lime, sour plum, sauerkraut, and hawthorn berry |
| Bitter | Yin | Prevents inflammation, constipation, and infections | Chamomile, dandelion, yarrow, and hops |
| Sweet | Yang | Tonify is good for weak and thin people | Meats, grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and nuts |
| Pungent | Yang | Improves digestion and prevents lethargy and sluggishness | Rosemary, onions, ginger, garlic, mustard, onions, hot pepper, and spearmint |
Designing a Personalized TCM Diet Plan for Weight Loss
Eating a balanced diet is paramount to the TCM diet plan. The diet plan consists of foods that avoid dampness. Dampness is a by-product that results in the body stopping energy flow. Certain foods, including white flour and sugar, can increase dampness in the body.
Dr. Gene Wei suggests that we should avoid raw vegetables, refined carbs, and greasy foods too. Besides that, he also recommends mindful eating. Through this technique, our stomach has less food for the time being, and it digests it. You can create your own TCM diet for weight loss using these patterns from TCM theory:
- Eat a balanced diet that includes all five flavors. These flavors are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, and buttery.
- Yin-nourishing foods, which include healthy fats, antioxidants, and amino acids
- Yang-nourishing foods, which include warm and spicy foods
- Cooked vegetables, beans, legumes, and grains to promote digestion
- Ginger, garlic, and peppers benefit circulation
Foods to Avoid to Reduce Dampness
In TCM, diet is not only a source of energy but also a medicine that heals our bodies. For this reason, Dr. Gene Wei suggests everyone use TCM concepts to lose weight. He says that we must avoid raw vegetables and eat more cooked vegetables.
Sweet potatoes and pumpkins are nutritious and delicious vegetables you can cook. According to him, we must eat foods that support the spleen’s function. The following are the foods to avoid to reduce dampness:
- Dairy products (ice cream, cheese, yogurt, and cow’s milk)
- Raw foods
- Too many fats
- Refined sugars and sweeteners
- Cold and iced drinks
- A few fruits high in sugar (mango and banana)
- Too many soy products
TCM Dietary Guidelines for Weight Loss
According to TCM, good nutrition is the key to good health. Your diet should include the right amounts of seasonal and local foods. It should also include fruits and vegetables. You must add proteins, healthy fats, and carbs to your diet. There are a few TCM dietary principles for weight loss, which are as follows:
- Never skip breakfast, and eat at regular intervals
- Drink warm water before every meal
- Take protein with every meal
- Don’t consume fried foods and sweets
- Eat seasonal foods
- Detoxify at least once a year
Following the basic TCM dietary guidelines will help you lose weight in a healthy way. Dr. Gene Wei suggests that we must also consider our likes, emotions, and desires regarding foods. He says that everyone can follow the TCM dietary principles. But those who have certain health issues must avoid it. For example, those who have diabetes or night sweats should first address them.
Integrating TCM Nutrition into Your Daily Life
According to Dr. Gene Wei, you must incorporate TCM nutrition into your daily life. To do that, you should understand your body’s requirements. For instance, you must consider your body’s response to certain foods. You must also consider your health conditions, especially digestive issues.
By following Dr. Gen Wei’s advice and considering the TCM diet guidelines, you will lose weight. Over time, you’ll notice a positive change in your health and feel more energetic using TCM nutrition.
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