Holiday Food Therapy Advice From Dr. Deanna

The holidays are a time of warmth, celebration, and gathering around food. While this season is full of joy, it can also challenge our digestion and energy levels. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), prevention is key. Taking care of your digestion before the holiday feasting begins helps you enjoy each meal with balance and vitality.

Our bodies are always communicating with us. The question is whether we truly listen. TCM teaches that each person has a unique constitution, or internal landscape, that determines how well we digest food, handle stress, and maintain energy. When we eat foods that don’t match our body’s needs or overindulge, the Spleen and Stomach, organs responsible for transforming food into Qi (vital energy) and Blood, can become overworked. This can lead to what we call food stagnation, where digestion slows and symptoms like bloating, fullness, belching, or fatigue begin to appear.

Herbal formulas can make a big difference in preparing your body for the holiday season. In TCM, we use specific herbal blends to strengthen the Spleen, support digestion, and prevent food stagnation before it starts. By scheduling a visit ahead of the holidays, I can prescribe a custom Chinese herbal formula tailored to your unique constitution. This helps your body process richer meals with ease, maintain balanced energy, and keep your digestion running smoothly throughout the celebrations.

To support your system naturally, choose warm, cooked foods instead of cold or raw ones, and eat mindfully without rushing. Warm foods are easier for the digestive organs to transform into energy, while cold or raw foods can slow digestion and create internal dampness. Drinking room-temperature water, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep will also help your system stay strong through the holiday bustle.

It’s important to remember that diet and nutrition are never one-size-fits-all with holiday food advice. What nourishes one person may cause imbalance in another. For example, someone who tends toward constipation may benefit from more fiber-rich greens, while another person with loose stools or colitis may need fewer raw vegetables and more easily digestible, warming foods.

The foundation of good health in TCM is prevention. By understanding your individual constitution and making intentional dietary choices before the holidays, you can enjoy the season’s celebrations with comfort and vitality.

Ready to prepare your body for a healthier holiday season? 

with Deanna Carell Aesthetics + Acupuncture in Naples, FL or Nutley, NJ. Together, we’ll create a personalized plan rooted in TCM principles to support your digestion, energy, and overall balance through every season.