Embracing midsummer loss of appetite. Nourishing with 'dashi' on days when you can't get enough protein

Hello, this is Kanno, an acupuncturist.

Today marks the end of July.

We have somehow managed to get through
the most intense period of heat.

I think this is a perfect milestone
to stop and look back.

Today, inspired by a story I heard from my husband,
I would like to write about midsummer self-care.

"My appetite has decreased."

My husband works as a personal trainer, and
an elderly woman who comes to see him
apparently said this to him:

"It's so tough with the summer heat, and my appetite has decreased.
I've even lost some weight."

Losing your appetite due to the heat.
I think this is very common during this time of year.

What my husband told her then was this:

"Please don't worry too much,
just eat what you can."

In times like these,
starting to say "You shouldn't eat that" or "You must eat this"
becomes counterproductive.

For someone who finds the act of eating itself difficult,
questioning them about what is 'correct'
only makes them feel more distressed.

First, eat what you can.
That is the most important thing.

Loss of appetite in summer from the perspective of Oriental medicine.

In Oriental medicine, there is also
a clear reason for summer loss of appetite.

During this time, intense heat and
clinging humidity
attack the body at the same time.

And the thing that is most vulnerable to humidity is
the function of the stomach and intestines, known as the 'Spleen'.

When affected by humidity, the power of the Spleen drops, and
the very ability to digest what you eat weakens.

Even from the perspective of Oriental medicine, losing your appetite in summer
is a natural sign that your stomach and intestines are tired
from the heat and humidity.

The stomach and intestines are the foundation of life,
creating 'qi' and blood from what we eat.

When the foundation is weak,
forcing heavy food into it
will not effectively turn into energy.

That is why you should eat what you can, little by little.

Whether it's somen noodles, soup, or fruit.
Gently provide what your stomach and intestines
are saying they can accept.

And in times like these,
what I recommend most is 'dashi' (Japanese soup stock).

Summer is the time for dashi.

When you have no appetite,
chewing and swallowing solid food
can be quite difficult.

But if you remain unable to eat anything,
neither qi nor blood will be produced,
and your strength will continue to decline.

At such times, dashi
delivers what the body needs
with almost no burden on the stomach and intestines.

Dashi contains components like amino acids and peptides
that are already in an easily digestible form.

It is perfect for when it is hard to consume solid protein.
From an Oriental medicine perspective, this makes sense.

When the stomach and intestines are weak,

Oriental medicine prioritizes
restoring the 'Stomach Qi' first.
Stomach Qi is the most fundamental function

of accepting what you eat and turning it into energy.
Something warm that requires no effort to digest.
That gently awakens

the weakened Stomach Qi.
That is why, since long ago, people have recommended
congee or soup when recovering from illness.

And I believe dashi is the thing that delivers that
in the lightest possible form.
Even if it's difficult to make it from scratch, it's okay.

Store-bought packets are more than enough.
I often drink dashi without any salt added

just as it is.
It's strange, but while drinking it,

the feeling of "Oh, I might be able to eat something"
sometimes returns.

For a stomach tired from only cold things,
have a sip of warm dashi.
It is a form of self-care I really want you to try this summer.

The intense heat continues.

August will also continue to have hot days.

It's okay to have days when you can't eat.
It's okay to have days when you can't move well.

At such times,
please don't push yourself by saying "I can't do this or that,"
just eat what you can.

And on days when you have even a little energy,
while being careful of the heat,
try moving your body just a little bit.

That is enough.

For the second half of summer,
please take care of yourself
as you go about your days.

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