An Introduction to Food Energetics
- RFFDMSUK
- Dec 6, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Understanding food energetics for dogs means recognizing the profound impact diet has on their overall well-being. This approach prioritizes fresh, natural meals tailored to each dog's unique needs, considering factors such as:
✔ Energy patterns
✔ Elemental disposition
✔ Seasonal variations
Rather than just managing symptoms, personalised nutrition aims to address root causes and prevent health issues before they arise. Expert guidance is essential in selecting foods that support vitality and long-term health.
Tailored Nutrition vs. Conventional Veterinary Care
Standard veterinary practices often follow a generalized approach, treating conditions based on established protocols. Tailored nutrition, however, treats each dog as an individual, focusing on prevention as well as healing.
🔍 Key benefits of personalised nutrition:
✔ Targets underlying causes, rather than just symptoms
✔ Uses nutritional balance to optimize health
✔ Takes a dog's unique constitution into account
For those considering this approach, consulting a holistic or homeopathic veterinarian with expertise in individualised nutrition is highly recommended.
Understanding Canine Wellness
A dog's health is influenced by multiple factors:
🟢 Age & lifestyle
🟢 Temperament & energy levels
🟢 Seasonal changes
💡 Did You Know? Nutritional imbalances can contribute to various health concerns, reinforcing the importance of expert guidance, especially for specialized diets.
Practical adjustments to a dog's thermal balance can make a significant difference:
✔ Cold-prone dogs benefit from neutral, warm, and hot foods to restore equilibrium.
✔ Heat-sensitive dogs thrive on neutral, cool, and cold foods for balance.
✔ Dogs with a neutral constitution do best with a varied diet encompassing all five thermal energy types.
❗ However, focusing too much on one energy type can disrupt the body's delicate harmony.
Seasonal Variations in Nutrition
Just as humans adjust diets based on seasons, dogs also experience fluctuations in their nutritional needs.
✔ In summer, dogs may require cooler to cold foods for temperature regulation.
✔ In winter, they may benefit more from warmer to hot foods.
Since seasonal shifts can vary significantly, it's vital to focus on creating a neutral balance rather than just feeding cooling or warming foods.
The Impact of Kibble on Food Energetics
Feeding kibble introduces an interesting dynamic into canine energetics. Due to the high heat used in its production:
❌ Even “gently cooked” kibble undergoes multiple heating steps.
❌ Highly processed kibble falls into the category of “hot” foods in canine energetics.
🔴 Potential consequences of kibble-heavy diets:
✔ Inflammation & allergies
✔ Increased risk of chronic illness (e.g., diabetes & cancer)
While dogs may appear healthy, underlying health concerns could develop unnoticed over time.
Balancing Canine Energetics
Maintaining a balanced diet tailored to a dog’s thermal constitution is key. Dogs may lean toward different elemental dispositions, requiring targeted nutrition for optimal health.
The goal? Create harmony among these elements, preventing ailments whenever possible. Rather than focusing on a single element, realign your dog’s energy through mindful nutrition.
Proteins and Their Energetic Properties
Protein | Thermal Energy | Moisture Level |
Anchovies | Neutral | Damp |
Wild Trout | Cool | Dry |
Beef | Neutral to Cool | Dry |
Lamb | Hot | Damp |
Beef Heart | Neutral to Cool | Dry |
Mackerel | Neutral | Dry |
Beef Tripe | Neutral | Dry |
Ostrich | Warm | Dry |
Bovine Colostrum | Warm | Neutral |
Partridge | Cool | Damp |
Camel | Warm | Damp |
Pheasant | Cool | Dry |
Cow’s Milk | Warm | Damp |
Pigeon | Cool | Dry |
Chicken | Warm | Dry |
Pollock | Cool | Damp |
Chicken Eggs | Neutral | Damp |
Pork | Cool to Cold | Damp |
Duck | Cool | Damp |
Quail | Neutral | Dry |
Duck Eggs | Neutral | Damp |
Rabbit | Neutral | Dry |
Elk | Neutral to Warm | Dry |
Salmon | Warm | Damp |
Goat | Warm | Damp |
Sardine | Neutral | Damp |
Goat Milk | Warm | Damp |
Scallops | Warm | Dry |
Green Lipped Mussels | Warm | Dry |
Squirrel | Warm | Damp |
Guinea | Neutral | Dry |
Shrimp | Warm | Dry |
Halibut | Cool | Damp |
Turkey | Neutral | Damp |
Herring | Neutral | Damp |
Venison | Hot | Dry |
Kangaroo | Warm to Hot | Dry |
Wild Boar | Cool | Damp |
Vegetables & Fruits and Their Energetic Properties
Food | Thermal Energy | Moisture Level |
Acai Berries | Warm | Dry |
Ginger | Hot | Dry |
Acorn Squash | Neutral | Damp |
Green Beans | Cool | Dry |
Alfalfa Greens | Cool | Damp |
Honeydew Melon | Cool | Damp |
Algae | Neutral | Dry |
Horseradish | Hot | Dry |
Apples | Neutral | Damp |
Kale | Warm | Dry |
Avocado (flesh) | Neutral | Damp |
Kelp | Neutral | Damp |
Bananas | Warm | Damp |
Lemon | Warm | Dry |
Barley Grass | Neutral | Dry |
Lettuce | Cold | Damp |
Beets | Cool | Dry |
Lime | Cool | Dry |
Bell Peppers | Warm | Dry |
Loganberries | Cool | Damp |
Black Cumin | Warm | Dry |
Mango | Neutral | Damp |
Moringa | Warm | Damp |
Mustard | Hot | Dry |
Orange | Warm | Dry |
Parsnip | Cool | Dry |
Paprika | Warm | Dry |
Parsley | Neutral to Warm | Dry |
Passionfruit | Cool | Damp |
Peach | Cold | Damp |
Pear | Warm | Dry |
Phytoplankton | Neutral | Dry |
Pineapple | Warm | Damp |
Pomegranates | Neutral | Neutral |
Pumpkin | Neutral | Dry |
Raspberries | Cool | Damp |
Romaine Lettuce | Cool | Neutral |
Seaweed | Neutral | Dry |
Spirulina | Warm | Damp |
Spinach | Warm | Damp |
Strawberries | Cool | Damp |
Sweet Potato | Neutral | Dry |
Tangerine | Warm | Dry |
Tomato | Neutral | Damp |
Watercress | Neutral to Warm | Dry |
Watermelon | Cold | Damp |
Wheatgrass | Cool | Neutral |
Final Thoughts
Canine energetics isn’t just a theory—it’s a holistic approach to nutrition that helps dogs thrive. From recognising elemental imbalances to seasonal dietary adjustments, this method emphasizes the deep connection between diet and health.
📌 As science continues to evolve, this guide is just a starting point. Always seek professional advice for the most accurate nutritional recommendations.
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