In Chinese traditional medicine, August and early September make up what is referred to as Late Summer. Late Summer is a transition period between the heat of high summer and the cooling-down time of autumn. It consists of the lazy, humid days of summer we Minnesotans call “State Fair Season.”
Unfortunately, State Fair food is about the worst thing you can ingest during this time of year. Greasy, heavy, fried foods contribute to multiple Damp health conditions: upset digestion, phlegmy allergic symptoms, genito-urinary problems, acne; with the humid weather this time of year you don’t want to add any more heavy, Damp inducing foods if you can help it.
How can you eat to benefit your health in the late summer? Choose lighter fare, avoid iced drinks and ice cream, add foods known to strengthen your digestion: millet, carrots, cabbage, chick peas, soybeans, squashes, potatoes, green beans, yams, tofu, sweet potatoes, rice, amaranth, peas, apricots, and cantaloupe.
Lastly, if you are going to indulge, try to keep the portions reasonable and not so “State Fair” sized.
To your health!