I have had many Zen Shiatsu clients lately who are vegans or vegetarians and still consume daily or regular amounts of sugar and chocolate. Refined sugar and chocolate are energetically extreme foods that rapidly cool the body and cause large swings in mood that are correlated with the rapid rise and fall of blood sugar levels. As such, they are foods that should be used occasionally rather than regularly or daily and should be eaten sparingly in autumn and winter.
In the case of vegans and vegetarians, usually when meat, chicken and eggs are no longer eaten, the body naturally desires less sugar and chocolate since the extreme cooling energy of sugar and chocolate is necessary to balance the extreme warming energy of animal foods. The meat/sugar balance is not an optimal one since there is a yo-yo effect from one extreme to another which causes its own set of health problems. But if animal foods are reduced or eliminated and sugar and chocolate continue to be eaten, usually due to emotional cravings, there are fewer ways for vegetarians to balance the extremes. This results in digestive problems such as an acid condition in the stomach, bloating, belching, borborygmus, problems with bowel movements, digestive weakness, menstrual problems in women, colds and infections as well as the accompanying emotional patterns such as irritability, neediness and an inability to cope with some of life’s difficulties and challenges nor find satisfaction on a physical and emotional level.
The solution for vegans and vegetarians is to find the right protein/carbohydrate balance and chew well to extract the natural sweetness of wholegrains and vegetables. Small amounts of fruit juice, brown rice syrup or maple syrup can be used in desserts to help satisfy cravings and reduce the withdrawal symptoms of tiredness, anxiety and low spirits. Salty foods such as miso, pickles and soy sauce/tamari can be used more frequently to bring the body back to balance. Eating pungent, astringent or sour tasting foods such as pickles when craving sugar can also help diminish cravings. Following these guidelines is one the ways to ensure that being vegan or vegetarian is a sustainable choice in terms of health and well-being in the long-term.