Nutrition

“Dietetics, the study of nutrition and eating habits, is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Every branch of this medicine, including acupuncture, herbal therapy and massage, refers to certain basic principles of diet in order to set guidelines for the individual. All recommendations are made with the goal of promoting general wellness and/or recovery from specific illness.

The focus of dietary counsel should be to help individuals meet their needs through proper food intake and meal scheduling. This counsel is given once an assessment has been made of a person’s overall state of health, pinpointing his or her physical strengths and weaknesses. Everyone's system is unique in its own way and a suitable diet should be tailored to maximize each person’s health potential.

In the West, many diets are intended as universal in application; they focus on the basic requirements of a group and offer simple guidelines for all members to follow, regardless of individual needs or conditions. Nutrition guidelines of this kind can help people meet their basic needs, but it does not allow for optimal well-being or aid in the recovery from any specific imbalance. In my opinion, this type of food plan may often fail to recommend ingredients essential for the individual at a particular point in time.

As with all branches of TCM, dietetics is holistic in approach. Foods are chosen for their effect on the organism as a whole and not simply for localized results. Furthermore, Chinese dietetics deals with the qualitative aspects of ingredients, so, meals are chosen for their various effects on the body’s interrelated systems rather then for their quantitative make-up.” (Excerpt from the Preface of You Eat What You Are, by Sean Laflamme)

Examining diet

At Sean Laflamme’s clinic you may also benefit from an added service designed to assist those who wish to improve their nutritional habits. This complementary service is designed to help you select the foods appropriate for your individual needs. The nutritional approach used at our clinic is that of traditional Chinese Medicine; hence, recommendations are made to support and harmonize with the acupuncture treatment.

In TCM, proper nutrition means much more than making ideal food choices; it also takes into account one’s ability to properly digest and assimilate these foods as well. When patterns of improper digestion arise, no matter how minute, your body is letting you know one, perhaps several things: either your food choices are not suited to your particular needs; you are not scheduling your meals at optimum times; or your choice of cooking method may not be suitable.

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Basic Guidelines

Below are some basic, general guidelines to proper eating. Please consult a qualified health practitioner before making any significant changes to your diet. 

At the Table:

• relax a little before mealtime;

• eat in a peaceful, comfortable environment;

• take your time eating, chew thoroughly;

• do not overeat;

• avoid cold beverages; and

• take time to digest.

At the Store:

• select fresh foods that are naturally grown;

• choose a wide variety of foods;

• select foods that contain high water content;

• minimise processed or preserved foods; and

• include high fibre foods.

In the Kitchen:

• prepare warm meals every day;

• serve balanced meals;

• prepare visually appealing dishes;

• avoid excess raw foods;

• limit barbequing, smoking and deep-frying;

• limit caffeine intake; and

• avoid refined sugar.

Other Considerations:

• schedule your meal times;

• drink warm liquids;

• no late night eating;

• do not skip meals;

• exercise on a regular basis.

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