Foods for Common Patterns

Introduction

TCM dietary therapy matches food recommendations to specific patterns — not just symptoms. Here are common patterns and the foods traditionally associated with supporting them.

Fatigue (Qi Deficiency)

• ›Emphasize: warming cooked foods, sweet potato, rice, chicken, dates, mushrooms, oats
• ›Reduce: raw foods, cold drinks, sugar, dairy

Bloating (Spleen Qi Deficiency / Dampness)

• ›Emphasize: cooked grains, aduki beans, job's tears, ginger, turnip, daikon radish
• ›Reduce: dairy, raw vegetables, cold drinks, wheat, sugar

Cold Hands and Feet (Yang Deficiency)

• ›Emphasize: warming foods, lamb, chicken, walnuts, ginger, cinnamon, leeks, garlic
• ›Reduce: raw foods, cold foods, iced drinks

Stress & Irritability (Liver Qi Stagnation)

• ›Emphasize: sour foods in moderation, green vegetables, turmeric, rose tea, hawthorn berries
• ›Reduce: greasy foods, alcohol, excess caffeine, irregular meal times

Night Sweats (Yin Deficiency)

• ›Emphasize: cooling and moistening foods, pear, lily bulb, duck, white fungus, tofu, millet
• ›Reduce: spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, warming herbs

Seasonal Allergies (Lung Qi + Dampness)

• ›Emphasize: pungent foods to open the Lung, daikon radish, onion, garlic, aduki beans, job's tears
• ›Reduce: dairy, cold foods, excess sweet foods