Healthy Asian cuisine

Vegetarian Journal, July-August, 2004 by Nancy Berkoff

YIN AND YANG

Traditional Chinese medicine speaks to the physical and mental balance of the whole person. Yin and yang is a theory of body balance proposed by Lao-Tzu, the father of Taoism, in the 6th century BC. Yin energy is passive and cool, while yang energy is active and warm. The body is said to be in harmony when yin and yang are balanced. In fact, Lao-Tzu is quoted as saying, "To figure out the disease, look first at the diet." The feeling is that too much yin food causes too much yin energy, which translates as sluggishness and low energy; too much yang and the result is too much aggressiveness and fast, unconcentrated movements.

To balance yin and yang, people are told to eat a variety of foods, depending on their temperament and physical condition. Warming, or yang, foods can include chili, nuts, pumpkin, orange, leeks, onions, garlic, and chives. Cooling foods can include tofu, zucchini, melon, cabbage, celery, and asparagus. Neutral foods include broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, sweet potatoes, and pea pods.

Nancy Berkoff, RD, EdD, CCE, is VRG's Food Service Advisor and the author of, most recently, Vegan Menu for People with Diabetes.