What Is the Dry Type?

Lifestyle Tips for the Dry Type

Foods to Eat for the Dry Type

Prioritize nutrient dense foods and healthy fats. 

• Eat 5 small meals and one larger meal at regular times of the day.
• Eat small portions of protein throughout the day, especially prior to ovulation if you are a woman.
• Add flaxseed (freshly ground) and soy for a phytoestrogen boost if you are low in estrogen, or high in xenoestrogens you need to block out.
• Eat lightly cooked foods, steamed or stir fried rather than roasted or deep fried foods.
• Enjoy some salads and cold foods
• Seafoods or oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies
• Seaweeds in your stews and soups, or spirulina and chlorella in your smoothies
• Foods rich in folate, B vitamins, and Vitamin E such as eggs and wheat germ
• Hydrate with mineral water throughout the day. While hydration is important for everyone, it is especially important for your type.
• Enjoy cold and frozen foods in moderation, including iced mineral water or chilled spa water infusions.

Specific Chinese food therapy to moisten, lubricate, and nourish Dry types includes seeds, nuts, beans, mung beans, sardines, bone marrow, wheat, oats, rice, millet, celery, spinach, swiss chard, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes, asparagus, eggplant, cabbage, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, alfalfa sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, beets, mushrooms, apples, pears, bananas, blueberries, blackberries.

Foods to Avoid for the Dry Type

• Alcohol, because it creates heat and dehydrates. It is especially important for women to avoid alcohol during their periods because it can increase the flow to worsen the Dry condition. Women should avoid alcohol until ovulation is confirmed. 
• Rich fatty foods that have a cream base
• Stimulants, coffee, and even herbal stimulants
• Sugar
• Late night eating
• Low calorie diets, or controlling what you eat
• Spicy and hot foods such as chilis, curries, wasabi. This is especially important if you have heavy periods, restlessness, fitful sleep, or hot flushes.

Exercise and Movement

Choose energizing, revitalizing exercise that is replenishing and meditative.  Yoga, tai chi, qi gong, swimming, or walking in nature are ideal. Avoid exhausting exercise like stairmaster, running, or aerobics. Avoid sweating, saunas, and Bikram yoga. Balance weightlifting with stretching and flexibility. Avoid sports drinks, energy drinks, and caffeine. Instead hydrate with spa water infused with fruits and herbs.

Learn More

The Dry type TCM patterns often co-exist with other patterns. Be sure to check out my articles on lifestyle tips for other general pattern types including Tired, Stuck, Pale, and Waterlogged. It is possible to be Dry in the upper part of the body, and Waterlogged in the lower part of the body.