The traditional Chinese diet is very healthy. It may prevent disease, enhance health, promote immunity and even prolong life. This diet is very different than the modern American diet, which is high in refined carbohydrates, fat and sugar.
Yin and Yang
The Chinese diet is a lifestyle diet based on the philosophy of the importance of balancing the energy forces of yin and yang. In the Chinese diet, food is eaten for the primary purpose of nourishing the body. According to an article in "The Independent," yin foods are wet and moist and cool down the body; think carbohydrates. Yang foods include dry and crisp products that rev up metabolism, such as meat, spices and spicy foods, coffee and wine.
Calorie Counting
When the yin and yang are combined in a meal, one of the health-enhancing results is stabilization of blood sugar. Most Chinese diet meals contain complex carbohydrates, protein and some sort of whole grain. Within the Chinese diet, the focus is on vegetables more than on meat and carbohydrates. Vegetables are included as a side dish, or even as a main dish. More often, there are a variety of vegetable dishes served at one meal. Because of the amount of vegetables in this diet, it is unnecessary to count calories. Just eat until you feel full.
Eating Regularity
According to "The Independent," eating regularly is vital to the Chinese diet, as food is metabolized rapidly from one meal to the next. It is important not to skip meals on this diet, as hunger may provoke binge eating. Rather, focus on the timing and nutritional quality of the food rather than the amount.
Spices
Spices have a special place in the Chinese diet. According to the website Urban Anatomy, there are 5 different flavors in Chinese cooking that are included in every meal, each purportedly serving a specific purpose. Though not medically proven, sweet flavorings are said to benefit the spleen, sour flavorings the liver and gallbladder, pungent flavors correlate with the lungs and large intestine, salty flavorings benefit the kidney and bladder, and bitter flavors benefit the heart and small intestine. Additionally, ginger promotes digestion and thereby, weight loss, while garlic is said to detoxify the body.
Green Tea
Green tea, consumed with meals or in-between meals, is especially beneficial to people on this type of diet, as it contains powerful antioxidants that destroy harmful, damaging cells in the body. Green tea contains caffeine and has stimulant properties that rev up metabolism and promote weight loss.
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