The yin and yang of what we eat

Yin and Yang are fundamental to Chinese medicine, and just as much part of diet as they are other areas of medicine and health.

I was teaching my classes this week, when I was reminded about yin and yang of foods being more than just the substance of the foods themselves as yin or yang, but as energies that can be applied to foods and how we consume yin or yang as part of this nature.

A piece of meat which is raw, cold and uncooked is in a YIN state.

Once heat has been applied by grilling, frying, roasting or any kind of cooking, then YANG energy is activated, as it is applied to the yin food.

By eating fresh foods we can consume the maximim energy of foods. By eating foods which are freshly cooked, we get the benefit of this Yang Qi (energy).

In Chinese medicine, it is considered healthy to eat “mostly cooked foods, most of the time” however, when eating foods which have been cooked, then cooled or stored and then re-heated we call this “wrecked” foods.
Yang energy is dynamic, moving, lifts upwards and is desirable for us to have more of this kind of natured foods in our diet.

On the contrary, yin foods are dense, cold and while they have their place in the diet, it’s not optimal to consume foods at a cold and raw temperature.

Chinese medicine propogates humans should live 100 healthy years. This can only be achieved by healthy diet and lifestyle according to the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine.

What is the yin and yang of your diet?