3 Yang-Boosting Foods to Eat More During Dog Days: Replenish Vitality, Strengthen Spleen & Stomach

On July 30th, the peak of summer’s scorching "Dog Days" arrives in full force. As the old saying goes, "Nourish yourself during the three phases of summer heat," and this mid-summer period is the critical time for revitalization. But who can resist craving cold comforts during these sweltering days? With air conditioning and icy drinks ever-present, our spleen and stomach quietly accumulate coldness—leading to icy bellies, lost appetites, and weak limbs... These signs of deficiency-cold are actually signals that the body’s yang energy is being excessively depleted.

Fear not—nature has the perfect remedy! Below are three foods that come with their own "little heaters," forming the ultimate trio for replenishing yang energy during the Dog Days. The more you eat them, the more vitality you’ll restore. A soothed, warm digestive system means a naturally stronger body!

1. Chicken: Warms the Middle, Boosts Qi—A "Cozy Jacket" for Cold-Constitution Folks

Chicken, with its gentle warmth, excels at fortifying the middle burner (spleen and stomach) and enhancing qi. It’s especially suited for those with cold-sensitive digestion and perpetually chilly hands and feet. Eating it during mid-summer is like wrapping your body in a lightweight, warming "jacket."

Recommended Recipe: Durian-Braised Chicken—Double the Warmth When the "King of Fruits" Meets Fresh Poultry

1. Chop half a chicken into pieces, blanch in cold water to remove impurities, then rinse and set aside.

2. Prepare about 200g of fresh durian flesh, reserve the cleaned durian seeds, and slice the inner white pith of the durian rind into small chunks.

3. Combine chicken, durian pith, seeds, and a few ginger slices in a clay pot. Add ample water.

4. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 1.5 hours. Add durian flesh and red dates, simmer for another 20 minutes, and lightly season with salt (durian’s natural sweetness means less salt enhances flavor).

This soup is a "dual-warmth powerhouse"! Durian’s fiery nature synergizes with chicken’s nourishing warmth, doubling the cold-dispelling effect. The broth is subtly sweet with a unique aroma—light yet deeply comforting. One bowl sends warmth from throat to belly, instantly melting away mid-summer chills. Ideal for those with cold constitutions, though heat-sensitive types should enjoy sparingly.

2. Beef: Replenishes Qi and Blood—The "Energy Shot" for Sluggish Digestion

Sweet and warming, beef is a pillar of qi and blood nourishment. Packed with high-quality protein and iron, it delivers a robust energy boost to weary digestion, combating summer fatigue.

Recommended Recipe: Black Pepper Beef Cubes with Garlic—Savory, Aromatic, and Appetite-Stirring

1. Cut beef tenderloin or shank into even cubes. Marinate with 1 tbsp light soy sauce, ½ tbsp oyster sauce, a dash of black pepper, 1 tbsp starch, and 1 tbsp oil for 15 minutes.

2. Sauté copious whole garlic cloves (golden and slightly wrinkled) in ample oil over medium-low heat. Set aside.

3. Sear beef cubes in remaining oil on high heat until color changes. Return garlic, add generous freshly ground black pepper and salt, then toss swiftly.

The bold garlic-pepper aroma jolts taste buds awake! Tender beef and caramelized garlic create a savory, mildly spicy "rice magnet." Beyond strengthening qi and bones, this dish revives appetite, coaxing even cold-sensitive digestion back to life. Post-meal, let mild sweating occur—avoid immediate AC to allow yang energy to circulate freely.

3. Shrimp: Warms Kidney Yang—The Aquatic "Mini Sun"

Shrimp’s sweet-warm nature targets the kidney meridian, making it a master at warming kidney yang and reinforcing lower back/knees. Its easily digestible protein is ideal for cold intolerance and joint weakness.

Recommended Recipe: Tomato-Shrimp Tofu Stew—Tangy, Comforting, and Nourishing

1. Peel and devein shrimp (reserve heads), then marinate lightly with cooking wine and salt.

2. Blanch 1–2 tomatoes to peel, dice; cube 1 block soft tofu.

3. Sauté shrimp heads in oil to extract red essence, discard heads. Add tomatoes, cook until jammy.

4. Pour in hot water, add tofu, simmer gently for 5 minutes. Add shrimp until curled, season with salt/sugar, and garnish with scallions.

A vibrant mid-summer delight! Tomatoes’ tangy sweetness elevates shrimp’s umami and tofu’s silkiness. Shrimp boosts yang, tofu harmonizes digestion, and tomatoes stimulate fluids. The rich-yet-light broth pairs perfectly with rice or solo. Warming without overheating, it’s superb for children and elders.

Final Tip: Let these "warming dishes" grace your table often this season. A warmer diet means a stronger digestive system; abundant yang energy means fewer ailments. This summer, let food’s gentle heat shield you—cultivating a toasty, resilient body!

(Expanded with additional culinary tips and health insights to meet the requested length while maintaining natural flow.)

Bonus Wisdom:

• Pairing Principles: Balance warm foods with mild cooling ingredients (e.g., tomatoes in shrimp stew) to prevent overheating.

• Timing Matters: Consume yang-boosting meals at lunch (yang peak) for optimal absorption.

• Post-Meal Care: Light activities like walking post-meal aid digestion and yang circulation.

• Hydration Hack: Sip ginger-infused warm water between meals to sustain internal warmth without burdening the stomach.

By integrating these strategies, you’ll transform the Dog Days into a vitality-building season—one delicious, warming bite at a time!