Why are Dr. Wus eating/drinking guidelines different from the basic nutritional advice Ive always received?
Dr. Wu’s eating/drinking guidelines reflect the Five Elements and Eight Principles theory of Chinese Medicine. In this approach, each food — regardless of its nutritional content — has distinct characteristics that affect the flow and nature of energy in the body. For example, some foods contribute dampness or heat; others clear these conditions. Some foods cause energy to contract in the body; others encourage expansion. Different health conditions and body “climates” call for different eating/drinking guidelines. For example, Dr. Wu may recommend that someone with a cold or weak constitution avoid cold or raw foods. Dietary guidelines also vary by season, when different weather has a different affect on the body, and — for women — by phases of the menstrual cycle. In addition to Five Elements and Eight Principles guidelines, Dr. Wu may also recommend food-combining principles that affect your body’s ability to use the nutrients in the foods you eat.
