From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach represent the entire digestive system, which is the foundation of life. The root cause of chronic gastrointestinal diseases also lies in the spleen and stomach. Many people with weak or diseased spleen and stomach are prone to symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, bloating, acid reflux, diarrhea, and constipation. If we do not pay attention to regulating the spleen and stomach, we will be more prone to illness and have a shorter lifespan. Patients with discomfort in the spleen and stomach should eat more warm, sweet, and spicy foods, which can invigorate the spleen, nourish qi, warm the intestines and stomach, and dispel cold, such as lamb, chicken, jifu, pork belly, dried ginger, fresh ginger, Sichuan peppercorn, and brown sugar. So, what foods should spleen and stomach patients eat less of?
1. Kiwi
Kiwi is cold in nature and has a sour taste. "Kaibao Materia Medica" mentions that kiwi is "cold for the spleen and stomach." Therefore, patients with weak spleen and stomach and stomach pain should avoid eating it.
2. Watermelon
Watermelon is very cooling and has the effect of clearing stomach fire. "Compendium of Chinese Materia Medica" mentions that it is "not suitable for those with internal cold." Therefore, patients with cold stomach pain should not eat it.
3. Jiaobai
"Compendium of Materia Medica Collection" mentions that Jiaobai should not be eaten by those with cold spleen and stomach. Therefore, it is not suitable for people with cold stomach pain.
4. Clam
Clam is cold in nature and has a sweet and salty taste. "Dietary Therapy Materia Medica" states that clam is "very cold in nature" and believes that eating too much is not beneficial, especially for patients with stomach pain, who should avoid eating it.
5. Ophiopogon
Ophiopogon is cold in nature. Therefore, it should be avoided by patients with cold stomach pain. "Compendium of Materia Medica" says, "Those with weak qi and cold spleen and stomach should not eat it."
6. Turtle Jelly
The ingredients of turtle jelly include turtle shell and Poria cocos, which have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and dispelling dampness. This food has a smooth and lubricating taste and is very popular. However, turtle shell is cold in nature and should be eaten less by women with weak spleen and stomach and dysmenorrhea. Pregnant women should not consume it. In addition, tea should be consumed immediately after eating turtle jelly.
7. Donkey-hide gelatin and jujube
Donkey-hide gelatin and jujube are made from donkey-hide gelatin and jujube. Both donkey-hide gelatin and jujube have the effects of nourishing yin and blood. They are very popular among women. For women with qi deficiency or blood deficiency, eating donkey-hide gelatin and jujube can indeed improve pale complexion, general weakness, and fatigue. However, donkey-hide gelatin and jujube are slightly warm in nature, so they are not suitable for people with internal damp-heat. Especially for those with thick, greasy, yellow tongue coating and dry stools, they should eat less of it.
8. Herbal Tea
Many women drink herbal tea to "clear heat". This type of beverage often adds chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, licorice, and other Chinese herbs, all of which have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. However, herbal tea is not suitable for those with weak gastrointestinal function and poor appetite, as it may worsen the symptoms.
9. Snail
Snail is very cooling in nature, so it is not suitable for people with cold stomach pain. "Compendium of Materia Medica Collection" mentions that "this substance is very cold in nature and should not be eaten when there is cold drink in the stomach."
10. Crab
Crab is cold in nature and salty in taste. It is classified as a very cooling food in the "Compendium of Materia Medica Commentary". It is mentioned that "if
11. Persimmon
Persimmon is cooling in nature and has a sweet taste. Li Shizhen mentioned in the "Compendium of Materia Medica" that persimmon is "sweet and very cold." It is not suitable for people with cold stomach pain as it can easily cause stomach discomfort and even exacerbate stomach pain.
12. Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is a cooling food and should not be consumed by people with weak spleen and stomach. "Dian Nan Ben Cao" mentions that "eating it causes vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in people with weak spleen and stomach."
