08/02/2025
Poor Daytime Appetite, Evening Carb Cravings: A TCM Insight
Do you find yourself with little to no appetite during the day, only to crave carbs, sweets, or heavy comfort foods in the evening?
This isn’t just a willpower issue. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this pattern often reflects an underlying Spleen Yang deficiency, often accompanied by dampness and Qi stagnation.
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🌄 Morning to Midday: Weak Digestive Fire
In TCM, the body follows the rhythm of the sun—Yang energy should rise in the morning to fuel digestion, alertness, and physical energy. But when Spleen Yang is deficient, the digestive system lacks warmth and strength. As a result, digestion slows down, appetite fades, and food may feel unappealing.
Common signs:
• Little or no hunger in the morning
• Fullness or bloating after just a few bites
• Fatigue or brain fog in the afternoon
• Cold hands and feet, loose stools
This is often the early stage of internal dampness, fluids are not being transformed and transported properly.
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🌆 Evening: The Body Craves Warmth and Quick Energy
By evening, the accumulated dampness and Qi stagnation start to weigh the body down. Without sufficient nourishment during the day, the body begins to crave quick, accessible sources of energy often in the form of refined carbs and sugary snacks.
Emotionally, this can coincide with stress, exhaustion, or low mood, further feeding into the cycle of late-night snacking or overeating.
You might notice:
• Intense cravings for sweets, baked goods, or processed carbs
• A tendency to overeat at night
• Poor sleep after heavy evening meals
• A “puffy” or bloated belly
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🔄 Breaking the Cycle: Holistic Support Is Key
Supporting the Spleen, warming the Yang, and resolving dampness can help reset this pattern—but the approach must be tailored to your specific constitution and pattern differentiation.
✅ Consult a Licensed TCM Practitioner
While general lifestyle changes can help, effective treatment requires a proper diagnosis from a licensed TCM practitioner. They can assess your underlying pattern and recommend a personalized plan that may include:
• Herbal medicine – to tonify Spleen Qi or Yang, resolve damp, and move Qi (e.g., Li Zhong Wan, Gui Pi Tang, Bao He Wan—pattern-dependent)
• Acupuncture – to strengthen digestion, regulate appetite, and calm the mind
• Fire cupping – to move stagnant Qi and dampness, especially when there’s bloating, fatigue, or abdominal fullness
• Dietary and lifestyle guidance – tailored to your body’s needs and seasonal conditions
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🥣 Simple Things You Can Start Today
• Begin the day with warm, cooked food—even a few spoonfuls of congee, broth, or ginger tea can awaken the Spleen.
• Avoid cold/raw meals, especially in the morning and winter months.
• Reduce excessive screen time, multitasking, and overthinking—these drain Spleen Qi.
• Include gentle movement like walking or Qigong to support circulation and Qi flow.
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🌿 The Bigger Picture
Your body’s cravings are signals—not flaws. A TCM diagnosis can uncover the root of digestive sluggishness and help restore balance gently and effectively.
If you’re experiencing ongoing issues with appetite, cravings, or bloating, don’t self-treat with random herbs or internet advice—consult a qualified TCM professional for a safe, individualized approach.
