Eating Right for the Seasons

Adjusting your diet to seasonal changes has been considered a healthy practice in many traditional diets throughout the world. The human body is continually changing to adapt to the surrounding environment. The right food choices can help the body change more efficiently. As a general rule we need to warm up for the winter and cool down for the summer. The thermal nature of food is an important concept to understand. Food can be classified as naturally warming or cooling which is not to imply that it has been heated or refrigerated. Cinnamon and ginger are naturally warming. Fruits such as watermelon are naturally cooling. In addition, different cooking methods can also provide a warming or cooling affect on the body. Eating heavier, warming foods during the winter thickens the blood and enables the body to generate more heat to counteract the cold climate. It's common to gain a little weight to act as a natural layer of protection for the colder season of winter. As we move towards summer and increasingly warmer weather we need to lighten up our food choices and shed a few pounds for a smooth seasonal transition.

It's best to eat more winter-warming foods progressively throughout the fall and summer-cooling foods progressively throughout the spring. Meats, root vegetables and long-cooked meals are very warming and make for great winter choices, but as spring approaches it is best to slowly introduce lighter and more cooling meals. Fruits and leafy, watery vegetables are good choices to lighten the diet and cleanse the body. Cooking methods should increasingly change as well. Roasting and baking are good winter-warming methods where as steaming, stir-frying and salad dishes are considered good summer-cooling methods. A slow transition is best and so diet changes for the upcoming season should begin during the previous season.

Forming good habits for healthy eating is important but can be challenging. Eating should be celebrated and enjoyable. Making small changes and being consistent helps to form good habits. Have fun and don't bit off more than you can chew. :D

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Christopher Carlow, D. Ac.
Date: 3/6/06