Diet Guidelines for Cold Accumulation

  • Cold can invade the body and become stuck in the channels.
  • Commonly this obstruction results in pain where the obstruction lies.
  • Resolving this imbalance requires the affected channels to be warmed and the Cold to be expelled.
  • Warming foods are doubly important for this condition.
  • It is best to consume foods that are cooked.
  • Also eating smaller meals more frequently and enjoying meals by sitting down to relax while you eat and chewing thoroughly to savor flavors is recommended.
  • Warming spices like cinnamon are recommended.
  • Cold natured foods such as raw vegetables need to be avoided.
  • Wherever possible choose organically grown foods.

Specific foods for Cold Patterns

  • Cooked grains, soups, baked or roasted foods, rice, oats, roasted barley, sweet rice
  • Onions, leeks, garlic, chives, spring onions, parsnips, peas, turnip, baked vegetables
  • Chick peas, black beans, chestnuts
  • Lamb, beef, chicken
  • Mackerel, tuna, anchovy
  • Dry ginger, fennel, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, fresh ginger,
  • Rosemary, turmeric, star anise, nutmeg, molasses, rice syrup, barley malt,
  • Dates

Foods to restrict or avoid

  • Citrus, wheat grass, raw fruits, raw vegetables, sprouts, salads, tomatoes,
  • Spinach, swiss chard, soybeans, tofu, soy milk, dairy (cheese, milk, yogurt, etc.),
  • Nut butters and other high oil foods
  • Seaweeds refined sugars, vinegar, high doses of vitamin C
  • Chocolate, cold foods like ice cream or smoothies, iced drinks including ice water.