Soup's On! A TCM Approach to Winter Eating
- Rubinah Atcha
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM, has a holistic approach to healing. We treat the body, mind, and spirit together. Just as the parts of an individual function as a whole, we function as a small part of the universe as a whole. TCM promotes living in harmony with nature and its changes, rather than as discrete and static individuals. As such, eating, resting, working, and even playing should all change with the seasons.
Seasons, Elements, and Organs
Each season in TCM is associated with an element and with an organ system. Winter is connected with the Water element, the Kidney as its yin organ and the Bladder as its yang organ. In nature, Winter is a time of cold temperatures, slowing down, and quiet. These are all yin characteristics and Winter is the most yin of all the seasons. The element of Water is also cool, easy going, and is characterized by “going with the flow”. The Kidney in particular, represents potential. It embodies depth, wisdom, and willpower.
Winter
Winter is a time to rest and reflect. It is a time to hone skills rather than pursuing new ones. It’s a time to stay warm, turn inward, and nurture wisdom. So while gym memberships spike in the New Year, TCM would say to leave that for the Spring. If you are already active, continue what you do, but it is not the time to take up jogging or heavy weight training. Yin activities perfect for Winter include taking relaxing walks in the snow, stretching, taichi, and qigong. It is not the time to try to lose weight, but to reflect on what has caused weight gain.
It is a time to write in your journal, practice an existing hobby, and listen to your inner voice.
Kidney
The Kidney system is the “root of life” and can be viewed as our DNA, the foundation for who we are. It governs growth and reproduction, bone health, water metabolism, and the brain. When the Kidney is healthy and nurtured, we feel vital, have strong bones, and stamina. Our minds are sharp, we have determination, and a sense of safety. Some signs and symptoms of a Kidney system in need of support are:
-lower back and knee pain -premature aging
-fertility issues - weak bones and teeth
-poor memory/dementia -poor hair quality
-fatigue and coldness -urinary urgency, incontinency or hesitancy
-shortness of breath -low stamina
The emotion most associated with the Kidney is fear. You may feel insecure, anxious, and lack determination to face what is ahead if your Kidney is imbalanced.
Water and Fire
Although all TCM elements influence each other, Water and Fire have a special relationship. While Water is connected to the Kidney and Winter, Fire is connected to the Heart and Summer. Water is cooling, Fire is warming. Water is inward, and Fire is outward. In Winter we slow down, in Summer we are active. Water cools Fire’s passion with wisdom. As such, a balance between the organs associated with these elements is essential for the smooth flow of life.
Support Your Kidneys with a Winter Diet
When we live in harmony with nature, we will adjust our diets with the seasons. Winter is a time for warm soups and stews, not sushi, smoothies, and salads. Dark foods such as black beans and black sesame match the colour connected to the Kidney. Some food suggestions for supporting the Kidney include:
Grains & Legumes: Black beans, black rice, barley, aduki beans.
Nuts & Seeds: Black sesame, chia, walnuts, chestnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds.
Vegetables: Mushrooms, yam, sweet potato, seaweed, asparagus, spinach, black fungus.
Fruits: Cherries, mulberries, blackberries, goji berries.
Proteins: Bone Broth, beef, duck, lamb, pork, seafood (shrimp, oysters, mussels, trout, clams).
Spices & Seasonings: Ginger, cinnamon, clove, fennel (in moderation for warmth), miso.
This winter, try a creamy sweet potato black bean soup! Swap out vegetable broth for bone broth if you eat meat, and add a handful of walnuts/chestnuts, and spoonful of miso before blending.
Source: Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup
A Nourishing Treat
Why not nourish the Kidney while getting a boost of energy and balancing your blood sugars? Try my recipe for Black Sesame Energy Balls.
Black Sesame: Nourishes the Kidney and Liver meridians to tonify Yin, Blood, and Essence (Jing). Used to moisten dryness, support hair vitality (preventing graying), relieve constipation, boost vitality after childbirth, and support overall Kidney/Liver health. High in calcium, it can even help your bones.
Walnut: Tonifies Kidney Yang with its warmth, sweet, and bitter tastes. Strengthens the back and knees, nourishes the lungs, moistens the intestines to relieve constipation, and benefits the brain. Works by strengthening the Kidney and helps the Lungs "grasp" Qi, easing coughs and wheezing.
Coconut Oil: Supports the Heart, and Kidney functions, as it is warming, sweet, and moistening. It tonifies Qi, nourishes Blood, promotes fluids, and clears heat.
Cocoa Powder: It primarily benefits the Heart, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Its bitter taste enters the Heart and helps to clear heat, calm the mind, and nourishes the Shen (spirit), which can alleviate anxiety and depression.
Palm Dates: Warm and sweet, targets the Spleen and Stomach. It is primarily used to tonify Qi (energy), nourish Blood, strengthen digestion, and calm the mind, helping with fatigue, poor appetite, and insomnia. Dates have been shown to balance blood sugars.
Black Sesame Energy Balls
1 cup black sesame seeds, toasted
1 cup pitted dates, chopped and packed (soak in water if dry and hard)
½ cup walnuts or other nuts of your choice (can replace with sunflower seeds)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1-2 tbsp coconut oil
Optional:
1 tbsp raw honey, adjust to taste
½ tsp ground cinnamon (omit if you have heat signs)
¼ tsp fine Himalayan Pink Sea Salt
Dried desiccated coconut for rolling
Instructions
Toast the black sesame seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes on low.
Combine the cooled sesame seeds, cocoa powder, walnuts, cinnamon, and salt (if using) in a food processor and pulse until powdery.
Add the dates, coconut oil, and optional honey, blending until a sticky dough forms that holds its shape when pressed.
Roll tablespoon portions into balls. If the mixture is too sticky, slightly wet your hands or chill the dough for 10 minutes.
Optionally, roll the balls in desiccated coconut.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.
Note: These are general recommendations and may not be appropriate for everyone. A TCM assessment with a licensed practitioner is recommended for suggestions best suited to you as an individual.
Learn More:
Comments