Though qigong practitioners recommend the same foods as most other branches of natural medicine, I often wonder if a proper ‘energy cultivation’ approach to daily life should necessarily involve ingesting food in the amounts that many of us do with regularity.

If you have fasted for more than a day you’re probably familiar with the sense of clarity and energy that one experiences when the ups and downs of food cycles –blood sugar highs and lows– have been interrupted. It’s can be surprising to discover how much energy we expend on food digestion alone. Everyone can relate to feeling more sluggish after a larger meal.

That said, the better foods are those that are as fresh and vegetable as possible. Raw, uncooked foods retain more vitamins and minerals. Cooking foods chemically alters and breaks down many of the nutrients, thus reducing the nutritive values.

I’m not suggesting that one stop eating cooked foods altogether, although this would be a positive step for many. Trying to incorporate more raw, fresh foods is something to strive for. Not only do uncooked vegetables, fruits and nuts retain more of their nutritive value, you’ll also get better quality fiber.

Keep it simple! If you have the option to choose raw vegetables, opt for that over cooking them. If you must cook vegetables, cook them for a shorter amount of time. As long as one strives to include as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible, relative to the other foods eaten throughout the day, this is all that is necessary for a ‘qigong diet’.

Some foods have particular healthful benefits and as such only improve one’s diet and wellbeing. Probiotic foods are a good source of healthy ‘flora’ –bacteria that aid in digestion and keeping ‘bad bacteria’ in check. One of the most common types of potentially harmful microbes that are kept in check by probiotic foods are yeast.

Probiotic Foods

It is believed by many healthcare professionals that cases of fatigue, attention deficit disorder -like symptoms, as well as myriad other health problems stem from or are exacerbated by systemic yeast infections.

Yogurt, kefir, kombucha and the like are wonderful sources of probiotic elements Regularly eating probiotic foods helps counter the effects of high yeast foods found in many complex carbohydrate foods, such as bread and the popular sugary foods and drinks.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the most common and effective foods that has powerful immune boosting effects, as well as having anti-fungal and antibiotic properties. When assessing a patients state of health and health history, it is not uncommon for natural health practitioners to inquire as to how much garlic the person eats on a regular basis.

Thermogenic Foods

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always enjoyed spicy foods and often wondered what it is about these peppery foods that leaves me with a feeling of increased vitality. As it turns out, capsaicin is the nutritive compound that is responsible for the spiciness, as well as thermogenic properties that seem to keep the body energized and blood pumping.

Thermogenic foods have the ability to normalize appetite and metabolism, as well as give an extra boost to digestion and energy levels. Peppers such as cayenne, black pepper, and all the various peppers like bell, jalapeno and habanero, to name a few, are thermogenic foods.

Other thermogenic substances are spicy mustard and natural teas. Black tea is fermented, so it is not quite as nutritive or fresh, but green and white teas are excellent thermogenic foods.

A popular tea in many parts of South America is made from yerba mate (pronounced ‘mah-tay’). Yerba mate is a naturally caffeinated substance that is touted for its energizing effects nad has been used by the peoples of South America for ages. It is believed by many to be superior to coffee or other teas, because there is not the same energy drop after the effects wear off that are common with coffee binges.

Fiber

Why is fiber important? Every tissue and cell in the body requires water, nutrients and waste removal. If waste cannot be removed from the body infection and toxic conditions arise rather quickly.

Fiber allows the digestive tract to stay clean and able to rid the body of waste that is collected from each and every cell. When waste is removed the body can also more easily transport and deliver nutrients and moisture.

If you’re interested in improving your diet for health reasons, one of the simplest and most effective ways to give yourself substantially better odds at good health is to get regular amounts of fiber. Nearly every one of the well known diseases can be staved off by giving your body what it needs to cleanse itself properly.

It is recommended that a person gets at least 25 grams of fiber each day. That can be difficult to do in modern society’s rush of sugary foods and empty carbohydrates like white bread made from bleached flour.

Take a look at the fiber content the next time you buy bread and other grains. The average non-whole wheat bread serving contains only 1 gram of fiber. Some crackers and other grainy snack foods contain 0 fiber!

Although eating 8+ servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day will provide excellent sources and amounts of fiber, it can’t hurt to add a fiber supplement. But before you spend an arm and a leg on the prepare, sugary fiber drink mixes, why not try simple psyllium hulls / psyllium husks? You can buy a big round canister of psyllium for a fraction of the cost that a bottle of Metamucil costs.

Water

Are you feeling tired? Chances are a glass of refreshing water will perk you right up. Did you know that almost immediately after we drink water our brains are better lubricated and cushioned? This makes water the best beverage for long road trips or other endurance activities. We know that running a marathon requires water, but so too do intensive mental endurance tests.

If you’re prone to headaches, drink a tall glass of water before reaching for the aspirin or ibuprofen. It is estimated that a majority of headaches are at least partially caused by dehydration. Even ‘tension headaches’ can be greatly alleviated with the addition of good old clean water.

Water is fuel to the body. Whether you’re running a race, studying for a test or feel emotionally drained, being properly hydrated gives your body the best chance of meeting the challenges of daily life.

Water is the great solvent. It helps nutrients get to where they’re needed and removes waste. It is the body’s lubricant. Just like a car or other machinery that cannot run properly without lubrication, the body needs water in order to function smoothly.

Without a doubt, adequate fiber and water along with fresh foods are the most important dietary considerations. So long as the body has water to move nutrients and waste, and fiber to aid waste removal, it’s got everything it needs to fight off disease and help give you the energy and health you need to live life fully.