The Two Phases of Food Therapy: From Recovery to Flexible Living
How to Indulge, Observe, and Always Return to Balance
Many people ask a version of the same question during my consultations: “If my body is trying to recover from an illness, does that mean there are foods I’ll never be able to eat again?” Most of the time, the answer is no. It depends on which phase of recovery your body is in, and what “balance” looks like for you.
Phase One: Reset and Recovery
In the first phase, whether you’re dealing with a chronic condition or a more acute issue, the focus is very clear: help your body come back to balance.
During this time, the priority is on foods that deeply support your system and are easy to digest. You may need to avoid certain foods for a few days, a few weeks, several months or even years. It is extremely personalized. The idea is not punishment or restriction for the sake of it, but creating the right conditions for your body to heal and rebuild.
In this phase, yes, some foods might be temporarily off the table. Not because they are “bad” forever, but because your system needs a break from anything that creates extra stress or slows recovery.
Phase Two: Balance With Room To Live
Once you’ve regained a more stable state — let’s call this Phase Two — things become more flexible. You can start to indulge from time to time.
This doesn’t mean those foods suddenly have no impact on your body. You will notice how they make you feel. The difference is that now you also have the knowledge and tools to bring yourself back to balance afterward. To be totally honest that’s the real “secret.”
You’re no longer just reacting to symptoms; you’re actively participating in your own regulation.
A Summer Example: Ice Cream And Recovery
Imagine it’s summer and extremely hot (like where I’m living right now). You’re craving ice cream. You’re human — it’s normal to want something cold and sweet from time to time.
Let’s say you have the ice cream and you immediately notice your stomach feels a bit tight, and the next meal takes longer to digest. Instead of spiraling into guilt or fear, you focus on rebalancing your digestion. Maybe you have a ginger tea, a miso soup, or any simple, warm, easy-to-digest porridge.
You’ve indulged, you’ve observed how your body responded, and then you’ve taken steps to support it again. This is living — experiencing life while still respecting your body’s needs.
What TCM Really Gives You
Over time, you start to think differently:
“I know my stomach and spleen need some nourishment right now. What can I eat that will help me feel balanced again?” And you simply do it.
This is one of the gifts of TCM and food therapy. It helps you decode what your body needs in this moment, instead of labeling foods or yourself as “good” or “bad.”
Easy Recap: In the more intense recovery phase, you stay close to the foods that truly support you. Once you’re stable, you have space to enjoy, experiment, and occasionally indulge — because the point is not perfection. The point is knowing how to come back home to balance, again and again.