Lose Weight: Eat Right for Your Type

Two out of three people in the United States are overweight, and while Americans spend enormous amounts of money on weight-loss programs, the results are far from effective. The reason is that no one diet is right for everyone. Take a tip from the East and address your individual underlying issues for successful, healthy weight management. Read on to discover your type and how it can help you lose weight.

5 Elements: Find your type for ideal weight

For thousands of years, doctors of Chinese medicine have observed that each person is born with an elemental constitutional type that manifests certain physical and emotional attributes. The five different elemental types -- wood, fire, earth, metal, and water -- have different strengths and vulnerabilities. Certain foods that are healthy for one type should be avoided by another. While the complex relationship between your metabolism, emotions, genetics, and other factors cannot be fully addressed in one article, chances are you will at least partly recognize yourself among the constitutions listed below. If you eat according to the needs of your element, you will arrive at your ideal weight and a state of well-being.

Wood element: goal-oriented and prone to overstress

Wood elemental type people usually have a facial structure that is rectangular and muscular, with an olive complexion. They tend to be highly motivated, energetic, confident, intense, decisive, responsible, and authoritative. Wood types tend to command respect, but they also are inclined to be stubborn -- sometimes controlling. Wood constitutions are often overstressed, and they tend to suffer from frequent headaches, eye disorders, nerve pain, neck and shoulder pain, throat constriction, acid reflux disorder, and high blood pressure. Wood types, who are overly goal-oriented, should avoid competitive sports. They can benefit from meditation and yoga on a daily basis. 

Wood Foods: Beet (and greens), burdock root, carrot (and greens), collard greens, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, parsley, dolce, Irish moss, dandelion, spinach, turnip, yam, sweet potato, tomato, asparagus, corn, pearl barley, barley, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, rhubarb, squash, winter melon (and its seed), zucchini, pumpkin (and seed), flaxseed (and oil), sunflower seed, olive (and oil), honey, seaweed, mushrooms (shiitake, porcini, portobello), bamboo shoots, peppermint, spearmint, lentil, split pea, artichoke, mung bean, soybean (including tofu and miso), black bean, grape, loquat, kiwi, nectarine, litchi fruit, plum, raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, strawberry, basil, sesame seed (and oil), rice vinegar, sage, bran, chicken, turkey, fish, egg whites.

AVOID: Sugar, overly sour foods, iced drinks, barley, pork, red meat, peanut, banana, fruit juice, orange.

Fire element: passionate with heart issues

Fire types tend to have a triangular face that narrows at the chin, prominent features, and a slightly reddish complexion. Passionate, excitable, sociable, sensitive, and impatient, a Fire person has an eye for details, is ambitious and persistent -- but frustrates quickly, does not easily adapt to change, and may have a big ego. They are susceptible to circulatory and cardiovascular issues such as hypertension, heart conditions, and varicose veins, as well as anxiety, insomnia, palpitation, stress, neck and shoulder tightness, toothache, constipation, and menstrual problems. Fire types should set schedules, making sure to put aside some personal time, and they benefit from daily journaling.

Fire Foods: Bok choy, red cabbage, red chard, turnip, radish, celery, spinach, red potato, red bell pepper, cauliflower, carrot, mustard greens, tomato, mushroom, buckwheat, beet (and greens), celery, asparagus, lemon, sunflower seed, pear, pomegranate, mulberry, red apple, wheat bran, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, azuki bean, kidney bean, soybean, tofu, coconut, carob, hawthorn berry, rosemary, tarragon, endive, chili pepper, chicken, shrimp, fish, goat dairy, egg, olive oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil.

AVOID: Rich and greasy foods, red meat, sweets, overly spicy foods.

Earth element: nurturing, suffers stomach problems

Earth elemental types tend to have full oval faces and slightly yellow coloring. Sincere, easygoing, and nurturing, they make friends easily. Earth types are conservative and methodical, usually avoiding the role of initiator. Imaginative, they are prone to overthinking and worry. Earth types often overindulge in food; they tend to suffer from digestive and intestinal problems, ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, water retention, muscular weakness, and low energy. Earth people thrive in the company of others, but when out of balance, may either become needy or become pushovers. They should work on self-reliance and set boundaries in their lives.

Earth Foods: Alfalfa sprouts, carrot, cauliflower, celery, daikon radish, mushroom, potato, seaweed, snow pea, spinach, yam, sweet potato, hawthorn berry, guava, persimmon, kumquat, strawberry, papaya, blueberry, pearl barley, tofu, bok choy, cilantro, lotus root, pumpkin, all squash, soybean, golden apple, grapefruit, lemon, lime, eggs, turnip, prune, fig, barley, rice, buckwheat, millet, oats, yellow bell pepper, green bean, kale, mustard green, parsley, red grape, cherry, mango, pineapple, plum, garbanzo bean, azuki bean, lima bean, pea, beef, fish, lamb, anise, basil, fennel, dill, cayenne, cumin, ginger, brown rice vinegar, mustard seed.

AVOID: Iced drinks, raw vegetables and fruits, process and refined foods, pork, melon.

Metal element: Meticulous, frequent respiratory illness

The classic facial structure for metal type people is round and wide, with a prominent nose and fair complexion. Intellectual, articulate, rational, and organized, when Metal types focus their energy on a single task, they usually follow through to completion. Yet their overly optimistic outlook and ability to see many possibilities can lead to excessive deliberating, causing them to change their minds often and lose focus. Because they are skilled at what they do, they tend to become overextended. Metal types often fall prey to respiratory conditions, laryngitis, colitis, upper back pain, colds and flu, and diseases affecting the mouth, teeth, skin, and bone marrow. It's especially important for Metal types to establish regular mealtimes, engage in regular aerobic activity, and stop smoking now! Developing spontaneity in their creative life helps counteract their hyper-rational side.

Metal Foods: Burdock root, cabbage, carrot, daikon radish (and seed), seaweed, spinach, watercress, apple, banana, prune, fig, mulberry, peach, Asian pear, Bartlett pear, persimmon, strawberry, soybean, tofu, asparagus, bok choy, beet, cauliflower, egg whites, eggplant, white potato, pumpkin (and seed), snow pea, jícama, barley, brown or wild rice, millet, mushroom, turnip, cantaloupe, apricot, parsnip, scallion, onion, pine nut, walnut, ginger, horseradish, mustard greens, molasses, rice vinegar, garlic, berries, pineapple, sesame seed, fennel, okra, papaya, cherry, peanut, pea, olive, almond, white bean, string bean, thyme, fish, chicken, turkey.

AVOID: Overly spicy foods, iced drinks, barbecued foods, red meat, dried or dehydrated products.

Water element: strong will with kidney problems

Water types often have square, filled-out face, large ears, and a dark complexion. They are likely to have strong will power and endurance, but can sometimes seem timid, hesitant, and even physically weak. With this duality, Water types may become too dependent on others or be too extreme in decision-making, alienating others. Usually deep thinkers, they may age prematurely and are susceptible to urinary, genital, and reproductive ailments; their health problems tend to involve the kidneys, bladder, urinary tract, ovaries, hormonal system, and lower back. Water types should drink lots of water: fluids clear out their weak organ system, the kidneys. Also, they should nurture social relationships and not spend too much time alone.

Water Foods: Broccoli, carrot, celery, blue corn, cucumber, daikon radish, eggplant, lotus root, seaweed, snow pea, soybean (and sprouts), avocado, spinach, zucchini, watercress, watermelon, mulberry, pear, millet, pearl barley, amaranth, quinoa, black bean, blueberry, blackberry, cabbage, leek, shiitake mushroom, potato, squash, winter melon, cantaloupe, chives, shallot, green bean, mustard greens, parsnip, grape, raspberry, black bean, cashew, chestnut, walnut, sesame seed, venison, livers, chicken, beef, lamb, fish, azuki bean, peanut, pea, lotus seed, green bean, coconut, wild rice, oregano.

AVOID: Overly salty foods, iced drinks, raw vegetables and fruits.

In general, when you are striving to attain ideal weight, you should avoid deep-fried or fatty foods, refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, caffeine, too many dairy products, and wheat. In addition to eating right for your type, you may want to try B-Slim, an herbal blend specially tailored to control appetite, eliminate bloating, improve digestion, increase fat metabolism, and balance the body.

I hope this article helps you find your type to reach your ideal weight! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

--Dr. Mao

This blog is meant to educate, but it should not be used as a substitute for personal medical advice. The reader should consult his or her physician or clinician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field is ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.

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