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The Taoist Chi Boosting Diet
One question that many people ask when they first take an interest in Tai Chi, Chi Gung, yoga or any other energetic art, is “what is the best diet for improving the flow of chi throughout the body?”. Generally the same diet principles apply to a “chi diet” as to any other healthy diet. However some people recommend more organic, vegetarian food. Here are some eating and drinking recommendations for those practising internal martial arts and looking to improve their chi through improved diet.
To improve chi, ensure a large part of your diet consists of the following
Whole grain foods, such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, barley, oats, buckwheat, rye, maize, millet and quino. Other foods made with Wholegrain flour are also recommended, such as pasta, noodles, wholemeal biscuits, cakes, wheat and muesli. Following with Traditional Chinese Medical theory, ensure that you eat plenty of fresh locally grown vegetables which are in season, and organically grown if possible. Steaming or stir-frying is best. Vegetarian food such as beans, nuts, seeds, soya bean curd (tofu) are also very good.
There are many milk and dairy alternatives if you are looking for a low fat milk, such as soya, rice and soya yoghurt which can all be consumed.
Less popular in the west is seaweed, such as nori and kelp.
Natural soy sauces should be consumed to add flavour to meals, such as tamari or shoyu.
Fresh fruit which is local and seasonal including dates, sultanas, raisins, figs, apples and berries.
Honey, in moderation, unrefined sugar only if you must.
Food to Reduce Consumption Of
In addition to the foods you should increase for a healthy “chi diet”, you should also try to reduce your intake of these (although maintain food hygiene and health standards at all times):
- White bread
- White flour
- White rice
- Refined processed and tinned foods
- Chemical additives
- Colourings
- Preservatives
- Flavourings
- Fruit acids
Red meat should be avoided where possible. Red meat includes beef, pork, veal, lamb, venison, or other large mammals. Some poultry and fish that are high in fat and these should be avoided, such as duck, goose and haddock.
Taoist diet advice recommends limiting eggs in general, although avoiding fried is best. Dairy products should also be avoided, such as full fat milk, cheese, butter, lard, dripping, and other animal fats.
There are many other rules which are really very difficult to apply and keep a well balanced diet, so they are not included here. The general rules however are to buy fresh, organic, locally grown, seasonal whole foods whenever possible. Avoid cold food and cold drinks. Some practitioners of Chinese Medicine believe that cold drink can disrupt the flow of chi. Others however believe that traditionally people would avoid cold drinks as they were less likely to have been boiled, and therefore more likely to contain bacteria that could lead to illness. Likewise, tea should be drunk luke warm, not too hot. Other tips include reducing your fluid intake as much as possible, and avoiding drinking heavily before a meal. It is highly recommended that if you suffer from any health problems that you consult your doctor before changing your diet.
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Good article . . . Would like to see more taoist related stuff.
reduce water? water is an important part of the body’s system, that will be stated in pretty much all taoist, ayurvedic, and health writings.