There are many folk stories about the diet in spring, and Chinese medicine also pays attention to it, commonly known as eating "spring".
(1) Red dates and other spleen-strengthening sweets: Sun Simiao, a famous doctor in ancient China, said, "It is advisable to keep sour and sweet in spring to nourish the temper." It means to eat less sour and eat more sweet in spring. Chinese medicine believes that when the liver qi is strong in spring, eating more sour food will make the liver qi excessive and damage the spleen and stomach, so eat less sour food. But people have more outdoor activities in spring than in winter, have greater physical strength and need more calories. But at this time, their spleen and stomach are weak and their digestive ability of gastrointestinal tract is poor, so they are not suitable for eating greasy meat. Therefore, calories can be properly supplemented by sweets. Jujube is such a good way to replenish spleen in spring.
(2) Honey: Chinese medicine believes that honey is sweet and enters the spleen and stomach, which can replenish the middle energizer and relieve constipation. In spring, the climate is changeable, and the weather is hot and cold, which makes people easy to catch a cold. Because honey contains a variety of minerals and vitamins, and has the function of clearing away lung heat and detoxifying, it can enhance human immunity and is the most ideal tonic in spring. Therefore, in spring, if you can drink 1~2 spoonfuls of honey every day, take it with a cup of warm water or add milk, which will have a nourishing effect on your body.
(3) Spring buds: Spring buds are eaten in spring. Confucius said "from time to time, don't eat", which means not to eat unless in this season. Huangdi Neijing, a classic work of traditional Chinese medicine, also said that "eating the old valley" means eating seasonal food. In spring, all plants give birth to bright green buds, and there are many edible spring buds, such as Toona sinensis, bean sprouts, garlic sprouts, bean sprouts, lettuce and so on.
(4) Leek: The climate in spring is suddenly cold and warm, which needs to be maintained. Leek is most suitable for human yang, and is known as the natural "Viagra". Leek contains essential oil, protein, fat and vitamins, and has the functions of invigorating stomach, refreshing and strengthening kidney. Spring leek is the best among leeks, and it tastes particularly delicious. Its roots are as white as jade, its leaves are as green as jade, and its fragrance is rich. There are many ways to eat spring vegetables, which can be served with meat, eggs, shrimp, cuttlefish and so on. And can also be used as stuffing for steamed stuffed buns and jiaozi. Add some spring leeks when frying mung bean sprouts or dried tofu, which is especially fragrant and delicious.
(5) Bamboo shoots: Bamboo shoots, known as "the first vegetarian food", have been loved by people since ancient times as a delicious food. Scholars and gourmets are amazed at this, and there is a saying that "early adopters are like mushrooms after rain". Spring bamboo shoots are thick, delicious, nutritious and vegetarian. Different practices have different flavors. Stir-frying, stewing, boiling and simmering are all delicious foods. Local famous dishes, such as "dried medlar bamboo shoots" in Shanghai, "dried white feather chicken bamboo shoots" in Nanjing and "dried southern meat bamboo shoots" in Zhejiang, all occupy a place.
(6) Cherry: Known as "the first branch of spring fruit", it is cultivated all over China at present. Cherry fruit is plump, delicious, juicy, bright in color and rich in nutrition, and its iron content is particularly prominent, which is more than 20 times that of citrus, pear and apple, ranking first among fruits. Cherry is warm, sweet and slightly sour, and has the effects of nourishing middle jiao, benefiting face, strengthening spleen and appetizing. Eating cherries in spring can make people sweat, benefit qi, dispel wind and penetrate rash. It should be noted that cherries belong to fire and should not be eaten more, and those with yin deficiency and fire are forbidden to eat or eat less. If you can't eat cherries, strawberries are also a good choice.
(7) Spinach: Spinach is a vegetable that is available all year round, but it is better to eat it in spring, rather than "autumn spinach" as Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan said. The roots of spring spinach are red, fresh and tender, and the most delicious. Spinach listed in spring is quite beneficial to detoxify and prevent spring dryness. Chinese medicine also believes that spinach is sweet and cool, which can nourish blood and stop bleeding, astringe yin and moisten dryness. Because spinach contains more oxalic acid, which hinders the absorption of calcium and iron, it should be blanched with boiling water before frying.
(8) Onion, ginger and garlic: They are not only good condiments, but also have important medicinal value, which can stimulate appetite and help Chunyang, and also have the efficacy of sterilization and disease prevention. Spring is the most abundant, tender, fragrant and delicious time of the year. Eating at this time can prevent the most common respiratory infection in spring. Eggs with scallion oil or dipping sauce with scallion oil, which northerners like to eat in spring, are the most nutritious and in line with the solar terms.
In addition, people who need nourishing and nursed back to health in spring can use stewed chicken or lean meat such as American ginseng, longan meat, codonopsis pilosula and astragalus membranaceus, but people with allergic constitution must avoid eating "hair" such as shrimp, crab and pickles in spring.