Many traditional cultures (including: Ayurvedic tradition and Chinese medicine tradition) eat according to seasons. In Chinese medicine the human body is seen as a microcosm of the natural world. Chinese dietary tradition recommends eating foods that harmonize with the present season. Autumn correlates with the lung system, which dominates respiration, circulation, body fluid metabolism, and the skin. Immunity issues and melancholy emotions predominate the autumn season, as the body turns inward to prepare for winter.
During the autumn season, the days become shorter and colder. Cold dry weather often causes itchy throats, dry noses, chapped lips, dry skin, and dry stools. Foods with moisture become important to ensure the body can balance the cold, dry weather. Foods that help moisture are a good choice such as: eggs, apples, nuts and seeds, pears, pumpkin, and honey. Autumn is time to start eating warmer, heavier foods in preparation for the winter. In winter the focus becomes storing energy, rest, and meditation. Warming, strengthening, building foods like: lamb, soups, stews, warm squash meals, and porridges are eaten along with warming or immune enhancing herbs like garlic, ginger, and astragalus. In autumn and winter it is a good idea to eat fewer cold salads and eat more soups.
However, not everyone will benefit from eating with the season. Healing traditions including: Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and Anthroposophical medicine recommend eating accordingly to your constitution. If your constitution is balanced you ought to do well eating with the season. However if you are unbalanced, for example if you have excessive heat or yang energy you may do best with cooling foods like leafy vegetables and fresh fruits despite the autumn temperatures.
