What Is the Pale Type?

Lifestyle Tips for the Pale Type

Foods to Eat for the Pale Type

Focus on increasing protein intake, preferably from non-plant sources.

• Get a minimum of one serving of animal protein daily, if not two. This includes seafood, fish, eggs, poultry, bone marrow, and red meat.
• If you are vegetarian, lean on highly bioavailable proteins and check for anemia and B-12 levels.
• Iron-rich foods such as blackstrap molasses, egg yolk, liver and kidneys. Vitamin C foods to absorb iron, such as citrus, kiwi, dark leafy greens, black currants.
• Marinate and slow cook your meat.
• Use bone broths made from scratch and add to soups, arborio rice, and polenta.
• Never skip meals
• Consider digestive enzymes to benefit absorption of nutrients from food
• Correct any digestive problems you may have.

Foods to Avoid for the Tired Type

• Caffeine, which inhibits absorption of iron
• Drinking water with meals, which dilutes digestive enzymes needed to absorb nutrients into blood
• Don't overdo it on dairy, but choose full-fat dairy when you use it.
• Cold foods, straight from the fridge or freezer (like ice cream).
• Raw foods and too much fiber which can CAUSE constipation and bloating in Pale types, not help it
• Dieting
• Eating while stressed, walking around, or driving.

Exercise and Movement

Limit exercise to 30 minutes, three times a week. Engage in regular exercise with a meditative component such as yoga, tai chi, qi gong, fencing. Do not warm up by stretching first; before stretching, elevate your heart rate to increase blood flow and prevent injury such as strained tendons and ligaments. Avoid sweating in excess. Go for a protein shake or branch chain amino acids (BCAAs) after workouts. 

Learn More

The Pale 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, Dry, and Waterlogged. Pale types often can have coexisting Tired and Stuck pattern types.