Food Therapy

What is Food Therapy

Food Therapy in Eastern Medicine plays an equal, if not more important role, in the prevention and treatment of disease than other modalities. We move at a pace that works for you. Adding in new foods to help your condition is an easy way to extend your treatment. Working as a team we modify what is and what is not working.

Food Therapy is based on energetic principles to encourage balance and a well-functioning body that is free of disease and full of energy.

Foods have different textures and attributes that are helpful for some people and not recommended to others. For example; a woman struggling with weight issues and holding on to every pound may think she is doing herself a favor to have spinach salads everyday, in actuality she may be making it worse. Come in and we can discuss what is right for you.

Eastern Medicine is about achieving balance.  We use different tools to accomplish this; Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Cupping, Tui Na and Food Therapy.

With Food Therapy as part of your Treatment Plan we will show you what foods are recommended, food to avoid or limit.  All of these are individualized to each person’s condition.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.

Dietary Guidance

Dietary changes should be introduced slowly, so as not to cause imbalance, exacerbate existing conditions, or even bring on new illnesses. To go too quickly from a high protein and/or junk food diet to one that consists mainly of vegetables and grains is unwise.  It is also important to avoid overeating; a better method is to eat a lower quantity more frequently, and to stop eating before one is full.  Breakfast and lunch should be the main meals, and dinner just a light meal.  

Processed foods and beverages that should be avoided:

  • Refined sugars, white sugar, cane juice
  • Alcohol (except with individuals with cold patterns)
  • Raw foods (except during summer months or in warm climates)
  • Junk food
  • Greasy and fried foods
  • Sweets and diet foods
  • Ice cold foods and beverages
  • Fruit juices

Recommended healthy alternatives foods and beverages:

  • Lean meat — 2 oz. per day
  • Vegetables — should be the mainstay of the diet; fresh, lightly cooked or stir-fried, with skins retained (skinless for irritable bowel sufferers)
  • Eggs — in moderation
  • Fruits — whole (candidiasis sufferers may need to avoid)
  • Grains — rice, whole grains (if not allergic), millet, wheat (if not allergic), buckwheat, corn (if not allergic)
  • Oats, beans and peas
  • Stews, casseroles, soups
  • Unrefined cane juice or powder
  • Rice syrup
  • Green stevia extract, powder
  • Unrefined olive oil, sesame oil, cold pressed flax oil, coconut oil

Foods that may need evaluation:

  • Soy products
  • Yeast-containing foods
  • Vinegar
  • Fermented foods
  • Nuts
  • Cereals (may exacerbate digestive conditions)
  • Spicy foods
  • Citrus fruit
  • Tomato products
  • Shellfish