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How to Eat, Not Just What to Eat
Longevity has become one of the most common topics in today’s modern health, appearing everywhere from supplement shelves to the latest biohacking trends. Yet the real secret to lasting wellbeing is far less complicated. It starts with the everyday basics. How you eat, day by day, gently influences your energy levels, digestion and overall sense of vitality.
At our clinic, we help readers reconnect with these fundamentals through time-honoured principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where the balance between Yin and Yang guides daily living. The approach to good health is more than what you eat alone, but how you eat and how well your body moves in harmony with natural rhythms.
When food is viewed as our daily nourishment, not a quick fix, even small conscious adjustments can make a real difference. With the right perspective, your everyday meals become a consistent source of energy, strength, and long-term health.
Below, we discuss the practical application of these TCM dietary principles in our daily lives. These are easy and actionable steps that can make you feel more balanced, energised, and in touch with your body.
Warm Meals, Happy Gut
Start the day with a warm bowl of congee, topped with chopped spring greens and a little splash of bone broth. This little daily routine will help your energy and focus. Soups, stews, and lightly cooked vegetables are easier to digest than cold or raw foods.
Balanced meals have these four:
- Carbs: rice, noodles, and bread
- Fibres: Vegetables
- Proteins: fish, seafood, and meat
- Soup or broth
Stop at 70% Full
Leave room for comfort! When you are about 70 per cent full, it is a good way to keep digestion smooth and energy steady. Excessive eating will make you feel sluggish.
Consistency Matters
Eat at the right time, breakfast, lunch, and a lighter dinner (ideally by 7 PM) regularly to maintain a natural rhythm and balanced energy.
Movement is Medicine
A little movement between meals, like a light exercise or walk, supports circulation, sparks appetite naturally, and improves digestion. Hunger signals your body to process meals efficiently.
Sip to Support
Sipping warm water or herbal teas during the day aids digestion and hydration. Make your body rest by avoiding large amounts late in the evening.
Take Time With Your Food
As you eat, chew your food, notice the textures and flavours, and thank your stomach for its work. Taking time to have a mindful meal and enjoy it helps you reconnect with your body and strengthen your mind-body connection.
The Grandma Test
Ask yourself: “Did my grandmother eat this?” Foods that are simple and lightly processed are easier for your body to recognise and absorb than modern, highly refined alternatives.
Quick TCM Eating Checklist
Ready to make these principles a daily habit? Ask these:
- Have I chosen warm, nourishing foods?
- Am I eating to comfortable satisfaction?
- Am I eating at consistent times?
- Have I moved gently between meals?
- Am I sipping warm water during the day?
- Am I eating slowly, chewing well, and pausing?
- Have I chosen whole, lightly processed foods?
At Christine’s Clinic, we provide free remote TCM tongue reading specially for the London Luxury Magazine audience. It is a quick way to see how your digestion and organ health are doing and how your diet could support them. Send us a photo of your tongue today.
FAQs
Do I need to follow these principles perfectly?
No. Consistency matters more than perfection. Small changes work best. Even adding a warm soup or bone broth to one meal a day will make a meaningful difference.
Can these habits help digestion, energy, and reproductive health?
Yes! Many people experience steadier energy, better digestion, improved reproductive health, and more balanced days when these habits are practised regularly.
What if I want a personalised dietary guide?
Excellent! When these habits feel natural, it is time to tailor dietary choices to your individual needs and health goals. This is where we will help you in our clinic, offering dietary advice and wellness coaching to support your overall well-being.
For more information on holistic nutrition and personal care, visit ChristineClinic.com