Traditional Chinese Diet
and Chinese Way of Eating
The traditional Chinese diet and Chinese way of eating is why, despite a population of 1.3 billion, China does not have a major obesity problem. This author has lived in China since 2000 and sees very few obese people. Clear, Bland Food Traditionally, Chinese people eat what is called a clear, bland diet, consisting primarily of cooked vegetables, rice, noodles, fruits and relatively small amounts of meat. Unlike the typical Western method of basing main meals on meat, in China the traditional way is to base meals on veges and rice or noodles, accompanied by small amounts of meat. Garlic, ginger and chilli are used not just to enhance flavor but also as important digestive aids. Future Diet-Related Health Problems Despite the relative lack of obesity in China today, the author predicts obesity will, however, become a major health problem in China, particularly in urban areas. The main reasons? Western fast food restaurants like McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut and 24-hour convenience stores like 7 Eleven are everywhere and are hugely popular, particularly with young Chinese. Chinese newspapers are also reporting increasing incidences of other diet-related problems like diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. Western Influences Also, Chinese people are buying cars at a phenomenal rate (800-1000 new cars reportedly hit the streets of China's major cities every day), meaning more people are getting less exercise in their daily life. Fast food plus an increasingly sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity and a host of other modern day diseases. To learn more about the traditional Chinese way of eating see the author's
Chinese Diet Report.
This report contains 25 practical, time-tested ways to improve and maintain your health and wellbeing through traditional Chinese dietary principles.
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What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Has All The McDonald's Restaurants Affected The Obesity Rate In China?
Now with China allowing all the McDonald's restaurants in their country and becoming so popular, has it had any impact on the obesity rate there like it ...
Milk, Lactose Intolerance.
I know that in the Chinese people lactose intolerance is very common. What do they use to supplement this and are there any other things that they lack ...
Breathing Exercise for Losing Weight?
Hi, I have heard there is a Chinese breathing exercise one can do before every meal (5 times a day) that helps you lose weight. Do you know about this ...
White Rice
White rice, good or bad?
Digestion Problems in Children
Hello,
I am an Indian. My daughter was born in the UK. Since her birth 2 years back, her weight doesn't seem to be improving. whatever food she intakes ...
Chinese Diet Past and Present?
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What do people eat in China from the past and the present and what is the difference between each other?
Matthew's reply: Hi Emma, thanks for your ...
Osteoporosis and Chinese Diet
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I heard the Chinese diet is low in dairy products. Do they get a bigger incidence of osteoporosis?
Matthew's reply: Hi Jacqueline, I've lived in China ...
Poultry Skin and High Cholesterol
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How can the Chinese eat poultry skin without getting high cholesterol?
Matthew's reply: Here in China you do see people routinely eating poultry skin ...
Hot foods/ Cold foods
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Hi,
Loving your website. I have a nasal allergy triggered by my face and nose getting too hot. I found some of your advice on coffee, spiced foods and ...
Best Antioxidant Foods?
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What antioxidant foods will be helpful to someone with cardiovascular disease?
Matthew's reply: One of the best antioxidant foods I recommend virtually ...
Nasal Polyps, Sinus, Allergies and Diet
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I have nasal polyps, had them removed many times but they grow back - tried homeopathy, chinese herbal, many other. Is there anything you suggest? Still ...
Yum, Chinese Food
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Speaking of Chinese, I love the Chinese Buffet. It's cheap and you get full! But is it good for you? I tried some of the exercises on the site. I look ...
Is Cooked Food Better Than Raw Food?
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According to Traditional Chinese Dietary Therapy, most people should mostly consume cooked foods and warm-hot drinks, rather than raw foods and cool-cold ...
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Traditional Chinese Diet
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