Chinese Healthy Eating

The concept of "Yin" and "Yang"

For centuries, Chinese healthy eating has focused on the importance of balance and harmony, manifested in the concept of "yin" and "yang" (represented as the female and male, respectively, or any two opposing forces in Nature that balance and complement each other, resulting in perfect harmony).

"Yin" is always within "yang"; likewise, "yang" is always within "yin." In other words, all things are both "yin" and "yang" simultaneously, and they are inter-dependent on each other.

The terms "yin" and "yang" describe the opposite yet complementary energy states in the universe. A balance between the two polarities can help you stay in beneficial energy alignment, which is fundamental to wellness. "Yin" embodies negative electrical charge and contractive energy, while "yang" demonstrates positive electrical charge and expansive energy.

The balance of "yin" and "yang" is reflected in the Five Elements.

The Five Elements

This concept of balance and harmony originates from the Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), which not only are fundamental to the cycles of Nature, but also correspond to the different organs of the human body. In addition, each of these elements also corresponds to a specific color.

These five elements not only balance but also complement each other to create harmony.

To illustrate, water nourishes trees or wood, without which there will be no fire, and without fire, there will be no earth, and without earth, there will be no metal. Fire uses wood to heat metal from earth to produce water through condensation; without metal, there will be no water, and without water, there will be no wood (trees), and without wood, there will be no earth, and without earth, there will be no metal. These five elements are inter-dependent on one another for existence in the form of a cycle of Nature. They balance each other.

Wood corresponding to green

Eat green vegetables, from asparagus to dark leafy greens, such as spinach.

Eat green fruits, such as lime, and melon.

Eat green seeds, such as pumpkin seeds.

Eat green-colored beans, such as lentils, and mung beans; and grains, such as rye.

Fire corresponding to red

Eat red vegetables, such as hot red peppers and bell peppers, or beets.

Eat red fruits, such as red apples, or cherries.

Eat red nuts, such as pecans.

Eat red-colored beans, such as red lentils, and red beans; and grains, such as buckwheat.

Earth corresponding to orange and yellow

Eat orange and yellow vegetables, such as pumpkins, squash, and yams.

Eat orange and yellow fruits, such as mangoes, oranges, and papaya.

Eat orange and yellow nuts, such as almonds, and cashews.

Eat orange and yellow beans, such as chickpeas, and grains, such as corn and millet.

Metal corresponding to white

Eat white vegetables, such as cauliflower, and daikon radish.

Eat white fruits, such as bananas, and pears.

Eat white nuts, such as macadamias, and pine nuts.

Eat white-colored beans, such as soybeans and white beans; and grains, such as barley and rice.

Water corresponding to black, blue, and purple

Eat dark-colored vegetables, such as black mushroom, eggplant, and seaweed.

Eat dark-colored fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries, and raisins.

Eat dark-colored nuts, such as black sesame, and walnuts.

Eat dark-colored beans, such as black beans and navy beans; and grains, such as black wild rice.

Emperor's Classic of Medicine

According to the famous Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, health and longevity are contingent on balance and harmony of all five elemental energies. Therefore, you are recommended to eat a diet that includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and grains, representing all the five colors ot the Five Elements to give you healthy living for a healthy lifestyle.