Qi Nourishing Foods

Healthy qi requires an adequate intake of nutrition, as well as healthy functioning of the Stomach and Spleen, Lung, and Kidney systems. Read on for some of the best qi-nourishing foods and how to keep these organs functioning optimally.

The Best Foods for Nourishing Qi

Qi-nourishing foods tend to be on the warmer side of neutral and have a sweet flavour. Think naturally sweet foods like squashes, root vegetables, and grains rather than refined sugars, though.

Moreover, it is essential to balance these sweet, warming foods with an appropriate amount of cooling foods to avoid overheating the body. Therefore, eating a qi-nourishing diet means including a variety of these foods in the diet, but not consuming them solely at every meal. As always in the yangsheng tradition, moderation is key.

However, if you have been diagnosed with qi deficiency, you will want to increase your intake of qi-nourishing foods. I encourage a strong focus on organic, seasonal vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and foods that support Spleen function and, therefore, good digestion.

Some of the best foods for nourishing qi are listed below:

Grains

• Corn

• Oats

• Millet

• Quinoa

• Rice

• Spelt

• Sweet rice

Vegetables

• Carrots

• Potatoes

• Pumpkin

• Shiitake mushrooms

• Squash (acorn, butternut, etc.)

• Sweet potatoes

• Yams

Fruit

• Apples

• Cherries

• Dates

• Figs

• Grapes

• Papaya

Legumes

• Chickpeas

• Lentils

• Peas

• Tempeh/tofu

Nuts and Seeds

• Almonds

• Chestnuts

• Hazelnuts

• Sunflower seeds

• Walnuts

Herbs and Spices

• Anise

• Cinnamon

• Fennel seeds

• Ginger

• Liquorice

• Sage

• Thyme

Meat

• All, especially chicken

Fish

• All, especially herring and mackerel

Dairy

• All, if tolerated

Beverages

• Fennel tea

• Green tea

• Jasmine tea

• Pu’erh tea

• Red wine

Other Considerations

When eating a qi-nourishing diet, we should also pay attention to our eating habits in order to keep the Spleen happy. This means eating regularly, not overeating or eating late at night, taking time to eat, and chewing food well.

Chinese medicine also recommends increasing our consumption of soups and stews and avoiding eating too many cold or raw foods. And while some people will benefit from eating a moderate amount of dairy products, others may find these foods overload their digestive systems and cause serious issues. Other foods to avoid include:

• Refined sugars

• Processed foods

• Artificial additives

• Stimulants (caffeine, etc.)

These foods can hinder digestion and reduce our ability to form good-quality qi. For more personalised advice, book a consultation today and learn about the best foods for your unique constitutional needs.

References

• Leggett D (2005) Helping Ourselves (second edition) - Meridian Press, Totnes

• Legget D (2025) Qi Nutrition Online Course