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The spring breeze gently caresses, gradually melting away the chill of winter.
The apricot tree in the yard quietly sprouts tender green buds, and the air is filled with the scent of awakening grass and trees.
As TCM states: “Spring gives birth, summer grows, autumn harvests, and winter stores,” spring is a crucial period for vitality and growth. For growing children, it is especially important to care for their spleen and stomach, solidifying the foundation of their health.
Why do children lack appetite in spring due to spleen and stomach deficiency?
Children’s spleen and stomach are inherently delicate, and with the seasonal transition and variable climate in spring, their function can be easily affected.
TCM believes that during this time, yang energy begins to rise, and the body’s metabolism accelerates. Without proper care, it is easy to experience spleen and stomach weakness and loss of appetite.
Many parents notice that their children are often disinterested and have low appetite in spring, which is indeed due to spleen and stomach weakness.
Four Foods to Help Children “Stimulate Appetite and Strengthen the Spleen”
1. Yam: The Natural Nutritionist for the Spleen and Stomach
Yam, known as “the ginseng of the common people,” has a mild nature and sweet taste, making it ideal for children with spleen and stomach deficiency. It is rich in dietary fiber and starch, effectively regulating the digestive system and enhancing spleen and stomach function. Especially for children with food stagnation and indigestion, yam is an excellent ingredient for dietary adjustment.
Recommended preparation: Stewed yam with pork ribs, which not only has a rich flavor but also helps children replenish high-quality protein and minerals. Cut the yam into pieces and simmer it with pork ribs for a rich and nutritious broth.
2. Millet: The Expert in Nourishing the Stomach
Millet is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, making it an excellent ingredient for strengthening the spleen. It can tonify the spleen, boost energy, and aid digestion, especially friendly for children with spleen and stomach deficiency and indigestion. Millet porridge is not only easy to digest and absorb but also helps regulate the digestive system and enhance immunity.
Recommended preparation: Millet and goji berry porridge, which nourishes the liver and kidneys while strengthening the spleen and stomach. A bowl each morning and evening can help restore vitality to children’s spleen and stomach.
3. White Radish: The Master of Digestion
White radish has the effects of regulating qi, aiding digestion, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, helping children improve their digestive system and alleviate issues like food stagnation and indigestion.
Recommended preparation: White radish meatballs, made by grating white radish and mixing it with minced meat to create soft and delicious steamed meatballs, which are not only nutritious but also enhance appetite.
4. Lotus Root: The Health Treasure for Clearing Heat and Moistening the Lungs
Lotus root is cool in nature and sweet in taste, capable of clearing heat and moistening the lungs while strengthening the spleen and stomach. For children prone to heat and sore throats in spring, lotus root is an invaluable ingredient for dietary adjustment.
Recommended preparation: Lotus root and pork rib soup, simmering lotus root with pork ribs for a delicious and nutritious broth that can effectively improve children’s spleen and stomach function.
Nourishing the stomach is not just about eating the right foods
In addition to choosing suitable ingredients, parents should also pay attention to:
- Regular sleep schedule, avoid letting children stay up late
- Moderate exercise to enhance physical fitness
- Emotional management, maintain a cheerful mood
- Avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods
As the saying goes: “If you don’t nourish the stomach while raising a child, they won’t succeed when they grow up.” The spleen and stomach are fundamental to a child’s growth, and I hope every parent can take care of their child’s “little furnace” with care. Spring has quietly arrived; let us sow the seeds of health for our children with food and love!
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