Like people once believed about tobacco use and smoking, there’s a perception that a little bit is ok. That everything can and should be consumed in moderation. Yet these alarming statistics demonstrate that sugar consumption and poor eating habits have become a palpable and misunderstood health epidemic in today’s world; quite literally “the new smoking.”
Sugar And Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
In TCM, there are five tastes that can affect the body, consisting of: spicy, salty, sour, bitter, and sweet. And while we may assume that each taste is exactly what we think it may be, the sweet taste, according to TCM, is not meant to be as sugar-laden as our modern diet holds.
In all actuality, the best source of sweet food comes from foods that aren’t processed and packed full of sugar. Instead, these come from whole sources, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes – NOT from cakes, candies, or sugary drinks. Some other examples of sweet foods that are good for you are: almonds, apples, squashes, berries, and even certain teas.
Sugar And The Spleen
According to TCM, sugar overconsumption can damage your spleen, as well lead to more sugar cravings. This can be detrimental, especially since your spleen is responsible for the digestion of your food, water metabolism, menstrual cycles, and controls the overall peace and harmony in our bodies.
When damaged, a weak spleen may cause a variety of issues, including:
- Diarrhea
- Weight gain
- Acne
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Irregular Menstruation
The Importance Of A Well-Balanced Diet
Eliminating sugar from your diet has so many benefits for the overall health of your body. Avoidance of sugar can help reset your cravings and set the stage for a truly well-balanced diet. A low-sugar diet provides necessary nourishment and harmonization to the body.
According to TCM, a well-balanced diet should consist of the following:
- Eating whole foods, avoiding processed foods, which can cause a disruption in detoxification and disruption to your stomach, spleen, and digestion.
- Consuming sugar in moderation and completely avoiding added ingredients such as glucose, sucrose, and high fructose corn syrup.
- Eating more fibrous foods which helps to ensure your digestion is working properly.
- Eating a rainbow diet containing foods of all colors and providing a full range of antioxidants, carotenoids and other micronutrients.
- Consuming more microgreens, such as basil, kohlrabi, and parsley, which are more nutrient dense than their mature counterparts.
Eliminating sugar from your diet can be difficult, however, it can be done, and can improve the quality of your life. Contact Nature’s Balance Acupuncture & Wellness Center for more information about our wellness programs and nutritional support services. We can help ensure you are on the path to optimal health.