TCM Diet for Type 2 Diabetes: Blood Sugar Management Through Food

Last updated: April 2026

This is food therapy information, not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or health routine. Type 2 diabetes is a serious medical condition that requires professional management. Food therapy can complement but never replace prescribed diabetes medications, insulin therapy, or regular blood glucose monitoring.

Quick Answer

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been treating diabetes — known as "xiao ke" (消渴, wasting-thirst) — for over 2,000 years, long before blood glucose measurement existed. TCM views type 2 diabetes as fundamentally a condition of yin deficiency with internal heat, affecting the lungs, stomach, and kidneys in descending stages of severity. Food therapy focuses on nourishing yin, clearing heat, tonifying the spleen and kidneys, and using specific "yao shi tong yuan" (药食同源, medicine-food same source) ingredients that both traditional use and modern research have linked to blood sugar regulation. Key ingredients include shan yao (Chinese yam), huang qi (astragalus), ku gua (bitter melon), ge gen (kudzu root), gou qi zi (goji berries), mai dong (ophiopogon), yi yi ren (Job's tears), and sang ye (mulberry leaf). This guide presents the TCM framework for understanding and managing type 2 diabetes through dietary therapy, along with detailed recipes drawn from Chinese-language clinical and dietary sources (translated from Chinese).

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How TCM Has Understood Diabetes for 2,000 Years

The term "xiao ke" first appears in the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), compiled around 200 BCE. The name itself is diagnostic: "xiao" (消) means wasting or consuming, and "ke" (渴) means thirst. The condition describes a person whose body fluids are being consumed by internal heat, leading to excessive thirst, hunger, and urination — the three hallmarks that closely parallel the "three polys" (polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria) of Western diabetic diagnosis.

The Three Jiao Framework

TCM classifies xiao ke into three types based on which body region (jiao) is primarily affected (translated from Chinese):

Upper Jiao (上消) — Lung Heat: Primary symptom is excessive thirst with dry mouth. The lung normally governs fluids and distributes moisture throughout the body. When lung yin is damaged by heat, the fluid distribution system fails, and the patient drinks constantly but cannot quench their thirst.

Middle Jiao (中消) — Stomach Fire: Primary symptom is excessive hunger. The stomach fire burns too hot, consuming food rapidly and generating constant hunger despite adequate eating. The patient eats large amounts but loses weight. This corresponds closely to the insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction of type 2 diabetes.

Lower Jiao (下消) — Kidney Yin Deficiency: Primary symptom is excessive and frequent urination, often turbid or sweet-smelling. The kidneys fail to consolidate fluids and essence, allowing them to leak out through urination. This represents the most advanced stage and corresponds to diabetic kidney involvement.

Root Cause in TCM

The fundamental root of xiao ke is yin deficiency — a depletion of the body's cooling, moistening, and nourishing fluids. This yin deficiency generates internal heat (empty fire), which further consumes yin in a vicious cycle. Contributing factors include:

• Excessive consumption of rich, greasy, and sweet foods
• Chronic emotional stress (especially worry and frustration)
• Constitutional yin weakness
• Aging and natural depletion of kidney essence
• Overwork and insufficient rest

A Yantai Municipal Government health bulletin on TCM diabetes prevention noted that "the basic pathology of xiao ke is yin deficiency as the root and dryness-heat as the manifestation" and emphasized that "dietary regulation is especially important in diabetes management" (translated from Chinese).

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The TCM Dietary Framework for Blood Sugar Management

Core Principles

TCM dietary therapy for diabetes follows several principles that have significant overlap with modern nutritional science (translated from Chinese):

1. Nourish Yin, Clear Heat Every meal should include foods that replenish the body's yin fluids. This means emphasizing vegetables, legumes, and specific herbs that moisturize and cool.

2. Tonify the Spleen and Stomach The spleen is the body's transformation center for food. In diabetes, the spleen often becomes deficient (unable to properly process nutrients), contributing to both high blood sugar and fatigue. Spleen-strengthening foods like shan yao, fu ling, and yi yi ren are essential.

3. Supplement the Kidneys The kidneys store the body's essence and regulate fluid balance. In advanced diabetes, kidney supplementation becomes critical. Foods like gou qi zi, sang shen (mulberry), and he tao (walnut) nourish kidney yin and essence.

4. Eat Light and Plain (清淡饮食) TCM has always recommended avoiding rich, greasy, and excessively sweet foods for xiao ke patients. This aligns perfectly with modern diabetic dietary guidelines.

5. Match Food to Constitution A person with more yin deficiency and heat signs needs more cooling foods. A person with more spleen qi deficiency and coldness needs gentle warming foods. There is no universal diabetic diet in TCM.

Macronutrient Guidelines

The 2023 Chinese Diabetes Food and Nutrition Guidelines (translated from Chinese) recommended the following ratios for diabetic patients:

• Protein: 15-20% of daily calories
• Carbohydrates: 45-60% of daily calories (emphasizing low-glycemic sources)
• Fat: 20-35% of daily calories

These guidelines specifically endorsed the use of "yao shi tong yuan" (medicine-food same source) ingredients and "TCM dietary therapy formulas" as complementary approaches.

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10 Key Blood-Sugar-Supporting Foods in TCM

1. Shan Yao (Chinese Yam / 山药) TCM: Sweet, neutral. Tonifies spleen qi, nourishes kidney yin, generates fluids. Modern: Contains diosgenin and allantoin; multiple studies show blood-sugar-lowering and lipid-reducing effects. Called "the king of blood sugar management in TCM food therapy." Dose: 60-100g fresh daily, or 15-30g dried powder.

2. Huang Qi (Astragalus / 黄芪) TCM: Sweet, warm. Tonifies spleen qi, raises yang, consolidates the exterior. Modern: Astragaloside IV has demonstrated anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and blood-sugar-controlling effects in research. Huang qi has been used to treat xiao ke across "every dynasty's medical literature." Dose: 15-30g in soups or teas daily.

3. Ku Gua (Bitter Melon / 苦瓜) TCM: Cold, bitter. Clears heat, brightens the eyes, resolves toxins. Modern: Contains charantin, polypeptide-p, and vicine with insulin-like effects. One source reports 80% effectiveness rate at 100g per meal, 3 times daily. Dose: 100-200g fresh daily.

4. Ge Gen (Kudzu Root / 葛根) TCM: Cool, sweet, pungent. Raises yang, generates fluids, relieves thirst. Modern: Contains puerarin, which may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. Dose: 15-30g in soups or powdered.

5. Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry / 枸杞子) TCM: Neutral, sweet. Nourishes liver and kidney yin, brightens the eyes. Modern: Contains polysaccharides that may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress. Dose: 10-20g daily in teas, soups, or eaten directly.

6. Mai Dong (Ophiopogon / 麦冬) TCM: Cool, sweet. Nourishes yin, generates fluids, moistens the lungs, clears heart heat. Modern: Contains steroidal saponins with blood-sugar-lowering properties. Dose: 10-15g in teas or soups.

7. Yi Yi Ren (Job's Tears / 薏仁) TCM: Cool, sweet, bland. Clears heat, drains dampness, strengthens the spleen. Modern: Lower glycemic index than white rice; rich in coixenolide with anti-inflammatory effects. Dose: 30-50g daily as a rice substitute.

8. Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf / 桑叶) TCM: Cold, sweet, bitter. Clears lung heat, cools blood, brightens the eyes. Modern: Contains 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a natural alpha-glucosidase inhibitor — the same mechanism as the diabetes drug acarbose. Dose: 10-15g as tea daily.

9. Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root / 天花粉) TCM: Cold, sweet, bitter. Clears heat, generates fluids, resolves swelling. Modern: One of the most frequently used herbs in classical xiao ke formulas. Contains trichosanthin with hypoglycemic effects. Dose: 10-15g in decoctions.

10. Yang Cong (Onion / 洋葱) TCM: Warm, pungent. Warms the middle, moves qi. Modern: Contains allyl propyl disulfide and chromium, which may improve insulin function. One Chinese source recommends stir-frying 1 onion per meal, twice daily. Dose: 1 medium onion daily.

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10 Blood-Sugar-Supporting Recipes

Porridge Recipes

1. Shan Yao Zhou (Chinese Yam Porridge) — 山药粥

Target: General diabetes support, spleen-kidney deficiency Best for: Daily breakfast for diabetic patients

Ingredients:

• Fresh shan yao (Chinese yam): 100g, peeled and sliced
• Da mi (white rice): 50g (or substitute millet for lower GI)
• Water: 1 liter

Preparation:

1. Cook rice with water until half done (about 15 minutes).
2. Add shan yao slices and continue cooking for 20 minutes until both are very soft.
3. The porridge should be smooth and slightly thick. Do not add sugar.
4. Eat warm for breakfast.

Why it works: Shan yao is the single most important food in TCM diabetes management. It simultaneously tonifies the spleen (improving nutrient transformation), nourishes kidney yin (addressing the root deficiency), and generates fluids (relieving thirst). A Renmin University campus hospital article on TCM diabetes food therapy recommended shan yao porridge as a base formula, noting the ideal ratio is "1 part yam to 4 parts rice, to be consumed regularly" (translated from Chinese).

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2. Huai Shan Yao Yi Yi Ren Zhou (Chinese Yam and Job's Tears Porridge) — 怀山药薏仁粥

Target: Spleen deficiency with dampness Best for: Diabetic patients who are overweight, feel heavy, have high triglycerides

Ingredients:

• Huai shan yao (dried Chinese yam): 60g
• Yi yi ren (Job's tears): 30g
• Water: 1.2 liters

Preparation:

1. Soak yi yi ren overnight or for at least 4 hours.
2. Combine shan yao and yi yi ren in a pot with water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 45 minutes until both are very soft and the porridge is smooth.
4. Eat warm. Do not add sugar.

Why it works: This combination specifically addresses the "damp-spleen" subtype of diabetes — the patient who is overweight, bloated, fatigued, and has both high blood sugar and high blood lipids. Shan yao strengthens the spleen's ability to transform nutrients properly. Yi yi ren drains the excess dampness that contributes to metabolic dysfunction. A Gansu Provincial Second People's Hospital article described this combination as "suitable for all types of diabetes patients" (translated from Chinese).

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3. Nan Gua Zhou (Pumpkin Porridge) — 南瓜粥

Target: Yin deficiency with mild stomach heat Best for: Diabetic patients with constant hunger and thirst

Ingredients:

• Nan gua (pumpkin): 250-500g, peeled and cubed
• Da mi (white rice) or xiao mi (millet): 50g
• Water: 1 liter

Preparation:

1. Cook rice or millet with water until half done.
2. Add pumpkin cubes and continue cooking until pumpkin is completely soft and has partially dissolved into the porridge (about 25 minutes).
3. The natural sweetness of pumpkin eliminates any need for added sugar.
4. Eat warm, once daily.

Why it works: Pumpkin is a surprisingly important diabetes food in Chinese dietary therapy. A Gansu Provincial Second People's Hospital article recommended "fresh pumpkin 250-500g, cooked and eaten as food, once daily" as a diabetes food therapy formula (translated from Chinese). Pumpkin contains cobalt, which may support insulin production, and pectin, which slows glucose absorption.

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Soup Recipes

4. Huang Qi Shan Yao Zheng Ji (Astragalus and Yam Steamed Chicken) — 黄芪山药蒸鸡

Target: Spleen-kidney qi deficiency with fatigue Best for: Diabetic patients with severe fatigue, poor appetite, frequent illness

Ingredients:

• Huang qi (astragalus root): 30g
• Shan yao (Chinese yam): 100g, sliced
• Chicken leg or thigh: 1 piece (about 300g)
• Gou qi zi (goji berries): 10g
• Ginger: 2 slices
• Water/broth: 200ml

Preparation:

1. Marinate chicken with a small amount of soy sauce and ginger for 15 minutes.
2. Place chicken in a deep, heat-proof bowl.
3. Arrange astragalus, shan yao, and goji berries around and on top of the chicken.
4. Add water or broth. Cover with foil or a plate.
5. Steam for 45-60 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
6. Eat the chicken, yam, goji berries, and drink all the broth.

Why it works: Huang qi is one of the most important herbs in TCM diabetes management. A Yantai Municipal Government health article noted that "huang qi has anti-aging, antioxidant, blood sugar and blood lipid controlling effects" and that it has been used to treat xiao ke throughout Chinese medical history (translated from Chinese). The combination with shan yao creates a powerful spleen-kidney tonifying formula that addresses the root deficiency underlying diabetes.

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5. Shan Yao Lian Zi Tang (Chinese Yam and Lotus Seed Soup) — 山药莲子汤

Target: Spleen deficiency with poor appetite and loose stools Best for: Diabetic patients with digestive symptoms, diarrhea

Ingredients:

• Shan yao (Chinese yam): 100g, peeled and sliced
• Lian zi (lotus seeds): 30g
• Fu ling (poria): 15g
• Lean pork: 200g
• Ginger: 2 slices
• Water: 1 liter

Preparation:

1. Blanch pork and cut into pieces.
2. Soak lotus seeds for 20 minutes. Remove green cores.
3. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 1 liter of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1.5 hours.
5. Season with a tiny amount of salt.

Why it works: This soup strengthens the spleen's transforming function, which in TCM is the key to proper nutrient metabolism. Shan yao and lian zi together tonify the spleen and consolidate the kidneys. Fu ling drains excess dampness and supports the spleen. This addresses the digestive dysfunction that often accompanies diabetes — helping the body actually process and use the food it receives rather than allowing glucose to accumulate in the blood.

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6. Ku Gua Pai Gu Tang (Bitter Melon and Pork Rib Soup) — 苦瓜排骨汤

Target: Stomach fire, upper and middle jiao heat Best for: Diabetic patients with excessive thirst, hunger, and a red tongue

Ingredients:

• Ku gua (bitter melon): 1 medium, halved and seeds removed, sliced
• Pork ribs: 300g
• Huang dou (soybeans): 30g, soaked overnight
• Ginger: 2 slices
• Water: 1.2 liters

Preparation:

1. Blanch ribs for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse.
2. Combine ribs, soaked soybeans, and ginger in a pot with 1.2 liters of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour.
4. Add bitter melon slices and cook for 15 more minutes.
5. Season lightly. The soup will be mildly bitter — this is the therapeutic property.

Why it works: Bitter melon contains substances that mimic insulin in the body. A Renmin University campus hospital article noted that "bitter melon contains substances similar to insulin and has obvious blood-sugar-lowering effects" and recommended "100g fresh bitter melon per meal, three times daily, with a reported effectiveness rate of 80%" (translated from Chinese). The bitter flavor itself is therapeutic in TCM — bitterness clears heat and dries dampness, directly addressing the excess fire that drives the middle jiao pattern.

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Tea Recipes

7. Mai Dong Jue Ming Zi Cha (Ophiopogon and Cassia Seed Tea) — 麦冬决明子茶

Target: Yin deficiency with dry eyes and thirst Best for: Diabetic patients with eye problems, dry mouth, constipation

Ingredients:

• Mai dong (ophiopogon): 10g
• Jue ming zi (cassia seed, stir-fried): 10g
• Gou qi zi (goji berries): 8g
• Boiling water: 500ml

Preparation:

1. Stir-fry cassia seeds until fragrant.
2. Combine all ingredients in a teapot.
3. Pour boiling water and steep for 15 minutes.
4. Drink throughout the day. Refill 2-3 times.

Why it works: Mai dong nourishes yin and generates fluids — it directly addresses the "thirst" component of xiao ke. Cassia seeds clear liver heat and moisten the intestines, addressing the constipation common in diabetes. Goji berries nourish the liver and kidneys and brighten the eyes — particularly important given the risk of diabetic eye complications. A Yantai Municipal Government health article recommended this type of combination as a regular daily tea for diabetes management (translated from Chinese).

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8. Sang Ye Cha (Mulberry Leaf Tea) — 桑叶茶

Target: Lung heat (upper jiao xiao ke), post-meal glucose spikes Best for: Diabetic patients seeking a daily tea that may help control post-meal blood sugar

Ingredients:

• Sang ye (dried mulberry leaves): 10-15g
• Boiling water: 300ml

Preparation:

1. Place mulberry leaves in a cup.
2. Pour boiling water and steep for 10 minutes.
3. Drink before or with meals, 2-3 times daily.

Why it works: Mulberry leaf contains 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a natural compound that inhibits the enzyme alpha-glucosidase — slowing the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into glucose in the intestine. This is the same mechanism used by the pharmaceutical drug acarbose (Precose). In TCM, mulberry leaf clears lung heat and generates fluids, directly addressing the upper jiao pattern of xiao ke.

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9. Huang Qi Mai Dong Cha (Astragalus and Ophiopogon Tea) — 黄芪麦冬茶

Target: Qi and yin deficiency — the most common combined pattern in type 2 diabetes Best for: Fatigue with thirst, the patient who is both tired and hot

Ingredients:

• Huang qi (astragalus slices): 15g
• Mai dong (ophiopogon): 10g
• Wu wei zi (schisandra berries): 5g
• Boiling water: 500ml

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients in a thermos or teapot.
2. Pour boiling water and steep for 20 minutes (or place in a thermos and drink throughout the day).
3. Refill with hot water 2-3 times.

Why it works: This tea is based on the principles of Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder), a classical formula for qi and yin deficiency. Huang qi tonifies qi strongly. Mai dong nourishes yin and generates fluids. Wu wei zi astringes the essence to prevent further loss through excessive urination. This combination addresses the core pathology of type 2 diabetes: the body is both depleted (qi deficiency) and overheated (yin deficiency with empty fire).

A comprehensive review of TCM treatment for xiao ke noted that "the most commonly prescribed herbs for type 2 diabetes — appearing more than 60 times in clinical studies — include huang qi, shan yao, fu ling, and mai dong" (translated from Chinese). This tea combines two of those four.

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Vegetable Dishes

10. Yang Cong Chao Dan (Stir-Fried Onion with Eggs) — 洋葱炒蛋

Target: Middle jiao qi stagnation with blood stagnation Best for: Diabetic patients looking for a simple daily dish

Ingredients:

• Yang cong (onion): 1 medium, sliced
• Eggs: 2
• Olive oil or peanut oil: 1 tablespoon
• Salt: minimal
• Ginger: 1 thin slice, minced (optional)

Preparation:

1. Beat eggs with a pinch of salt.
2. Heat oil in a wok or pan over medium heat.
3. Stir-fry onion slices for 3-4 minutes until softened.
4. Pour in beaten eggs, scramble together for 2 minutes.
5. Serve immediately.

Why it works: Onion is one of the simplest blood-sugar-supporting foods available. A Renmin University health article noted that "the volatile oils in onion can lower blood sugar" and recommended "stir-frying 1 onion per meal, twice daily" for diabetic patients (translated from Chinese). The egg provides protein that slows glucose absorption. This is not a dramatic recipe — it is an everyday dish that can become a daily habit.

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What TCM Says About the Foods Diabetic Patients Should Avoid

Chinese food therapy sources are consistent about which foods worsen the xiao ke condition (translated from Chinese):

Strongly avoid:

• Refined sugar and highly sweet foods — these directly feed the fire
• Excessive alcohol — generates damp-heat and damages the liver and kidneys
• Deep-fried and greasy foods — generate dampness and phlegm, burden the spleen
• Highly processed foods — devoid of qi and laden with damaging additives

Consume cautiously:

• White rice (substitute with brown rice, millet, or yi yi ren when possible)
• Tropical fruits high in sugar (mango, lychee, longan in large quantities)
• Red meat in large quantities — generates heat
• Spicy foods in excess — generates fire that further depletes yin

Freely encouraged:

• Leafy green vegetables — cooling, yin-nourishing
• Low-glycemic grains — millet, buckwheat, oats, yi yi ren
• Legumes — mung beans, soybeans, black beans
• Fish — cooling protein that does not generate excess heat
• Bitter vegetables — bitter melon, celery, chrysanthemum greens

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The Modern Integration: TCM Food Therapy Meets Nutritional Science

A landmark study published in 2024 by Chinese researchers investigated an intermittent fasting protocol combined with traditional Chinese medicine nutritional therapy for type 2 diabetes. The TCM nutritional therapy included grains (wheat, barley, rice) along with yao shi tong yuan ingredients such as goji berries, reishi, shan yao, and ge gen. The study found that "nearly half of the type 2 diabetes patients were able to stop their blood-sugar-lowering medications" during the trial period (translated from Chinese).

This does not mean food therapy alone can cure diabetes. But it does suggest that when traditional Chinese food therapy principles are systematically applied alongside modern medical monitoring, they can meaningfully improve outcomes. The researchers described their approach as "a medicinal diet containing the wisdom of TCM food therapy" (translated from Chinese).

Statistical context from Chinese and international sources (translated from Chinese):

• China has approximately 140 million diabetic patients, the highest number of any country globally
• The combination of huang qi + shan yao + fu ling + mai dong appears in the most frequently used TCM prescriptions for diabetes, each appearing over 60 times in clinical literature reviews
• Bitter melon's anti-diabetic effects have been documented in over 30 clinical and pre-clinical studies
• The natural DNJ compound in mulberry leaves inhibits alpha-glucosidase, the same mechanism as the pharmaceutical drug acarbose
• TCM dietary therapy for diabetes has been documented continuously for over 2,000 years, beginning with the Huang Di Nei Jing
• Modern Chinese diabetes dietary guidelines recommend 45-60% carbohydrates from low-GI sources, 15-20% protein, and 20-35% fat
• Shan yao (Chinese yam) appears in more TCM diabetes food therapy prescriptions than any other single ingredient
• A Chinese clinical review found that the top 5 herb categories for diabetes treatment were qi-tonifying herbs, yin-nourishing herbs, heat-clearing herbs, dampness-draining herbs, and blood-moving herbs — in that order

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Daily Meal Structure for Diabetic Patients — TCM Approach

Here is a sample daily eating plan based on TCM principles (translated from Chinese):

Breakfast (7-9 AM — Stomach time): Shan yao yi yi ren porridge with a side of stir-fried greens. Sang ye cha (mulberry leaf tea).

Mid-morning snack: Huang qi mai dong tea. A small handful of walnuts (5-6 pieces).

Lunch (11 AM-1 PM — Heart time): Brown rice or millet as the main grain. Ku gua stir-fry or soup. Steamed fish. Leafy green vegetables.

Afternoon tea: Gou qi chrysanthemum tea. 1 small apple or pear.

Dinner (5-7 PM — Kidney time): Lighter than lunch. Shan yao lian zi soup. Stir-fried onion with eggs. Steamed vegetables.

Evening (after 7 PM): Mai dong jue ming zi tea only. No solid food — the spleen and stomach need rest.

Key principles:

• Eat the largest meal at breakfast or lunch, lightest at dinner
• Never skip meals — blood sugar instability worsens with fasting
• Eat slowly and chew thoroughly — this is a specific TCM recommendation for diabetes
• Drink warm water between meals, not with meals (diluting digestive fluids)

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FAQ

Q: Can TCM food therapy replace my diabetes medication? A: No. This cannot be stated strongly enough. Type 2 diabetes medications and insulin therapy are evidence-based treatments that prevent serious complications including kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, and cardiovascular disease. Food therapy can support your treatment plan and may, over time and with medical supervision, allow medication adjustments — but this is a decision that only your endocrinologist or primary care physician can make.

Q: Is shan yao (Chinese yam) actually effective for blood sugar control? A: Shan yao has the strongest traditional evidence of any single food in TCM diabetes therapy. Modern research has identified several mechanisms, including diosgenin's effect on glucose metabolism and allantoin's insulin-sensitizing properties. However, the effect is modest compared to pharmaceutical interventions. Think of it as a daily foundation — not a cure, but a sustained, gentle support.

Q: How does bitter melon compare to diabetes medication? A: Bitter melon's blood-sugar-lowering effect is real but modest compared to medications like metformin. Chinese sources cite an "80% effectiveness rate" for bitter melon consumption, but this refers to measurable blood sugar improvement, not normalization. It works best as a daily dietary component alongside medical treatment, not as a substitute.

Q: I have type 2 diabetes and feel cold all the time. Most of these recipes seem cooling. What should I do? A: You may have a yang-deficiency subtype of diabetes, which is less common but real. Focus on recipes #4 (Astragalus and Yam Steamed Chicken) and #9 (Huang Qi Mai Dong Tea), which include warming huang qi. Avoid excessive bitter melon and mulberry leaf tea. A TCM practitioner can help you identify your specific pattern.

Q: Are there any interactions between these foods and diabetes medications? A: Bitter melon and mulberry leaf can both lower blood sugar, and when combined with sulfonylureas or insulin, there is a theoretical risk of hypoglycemia. If you add these foods to your diet in significant quantities, monitor your blood sugar more frequently and inform your physician. Astragalus and Chinese yam are generally safe alongside medications.

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Sources

• Renmin University Campus Hospital — TCM interpretation of diabetes with food therapy recommendations (中医解读糖尿病，食疗方请收好)
• Gansu Provincial Second People's Hospital — TCM small remedies for type 2 diabetes (2型糖尿病的3个中医小验方)
• Gansu Provincial Second People's Hospital — 4 food therapy formulas for diabetes (糖尿病的4个食疗单方)
• Bioon.com — Chinese researchers' intermittent fasting and TCM nutrition therapy study (中国科学家研究发现，基于中药营养疗法的间歇性断食)
• Hubei Provincial Health Commission — Diabetic dietary guidelines (患有糖尿病 这样来食养)
• HansPub — TCM medicinal diet intervention in diabetes: current applications (中医药膳干预糖尿病的应用现况)
• QQ News — 10 porridge-based food therapy recipes for diabetic patients (分享10个适宜糖尿病患者的粥类食疗方)
• Beijing Municipal Health Commission — TCM single herbs for diabetes treatment (辨证选用单味中药治疗糖尿病)
• Yantai Municipal Government — TCM diabetes prevention and treatment (中医防治糖尿病)
• Epoch Times Chinese edition — TCM practitioner blood sugar dietary therapy methods (降血糖其实不难 中医师教你降糖食疗法)
• Zhihu — Diabetes-specific weekly meal plan (糖尿病专属食谱：一周控糖菜单)

— The Yao Shan Guide Team