In Western Medicine, we denote the value of energy of foods in terms of the calorie. A calorie is the amount of energy required to raise water one degree Centigrade. Different macronutrients provide different amounts of calories in a dog’s diet. The macronutrients are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Again, this is a Western nutritional concept.
In Eastern Medicine, the term energy or food energetics takes on an entirely different concept. Remember, for the most part, Eastern Medicine does not recognize processed or refined foods as an integral component of the diet. Eastern foods with any value are limited to meats, vegetables, fruits, culinary herbals, nuts and seeds, oils, and whole grains. The term food energetics in Eastern Medicine refers to the effects dog food has on the body after it is eaten; specifically, the sensations that occur in the digestive tract after consuming certain foods. Food either regulates, tonifies, and/or harmonizes a particular organ or meridian depending on the inherent energetic properties of the food. From a simplistic point of view, the Eastern practitioner determines if the animal is hot or cold on examination. If the animal is hot, then energetically cooling foods are used to counteract the heat. If the animal is showing signs of cold, then energetically heating foods are used to counteract the cold. The process is fairly straightforward and simple.
- This is an example of heat signs; dog panting with red, dry tongue.
