Ancient Dietary Health Preservation Manual
Dietary Balance
"Whatever you like, do not indulge excessively; overindulgence harms the body and causes illness. Whatever you dislike, do not completely reject it; rejection leads to imbalance in internal organs."
Diets Should Be Light and Simple
"Light flavors bring mental peace"; diet should "avoid greasy and rich foods, moderate sour and salty tastes"; "light flavors nourish blood and qi."
Dining at Regular Times
"Eating when not hungry burdens the spleen; drinking when not thirsty causes stomach distension"; "to live long, eat according to appetite and timing"; "balanced flavors prevent all diseases."
Consume Food at Appropriate Temperature
"Food should be warm, not cold"; "when eating or drinking, avoid extremes of heat or cold."
Control Food Intake
"Moderate eating benefits the body and prolongs life; excessive eating burdens the body and shortens lifespan"; "do not drink heavily when extremely thirsty, nor eat greatly when extremely hungry."
Eat Slowly and Carefully
"Chewing food slowly benefits health in three ways: nourishes the liver; aids digestion by the spleen and stomach, preventing choking or coughing."
Eat with Full Attention
"Do not speak while eating, nor talk while sleeping." This promotes proper digestion.
Avoid Eating After Anger
"When eating, one must clear the mind of worries"; "do not eat after anger, nor become angry after eating." A good mental state greatly benefits health.
Be Cautious in Food Selection
"Do not eat meat that is rotten or spoiled; do not consume pigs or sheep that died from disease; do not eat meat not properly dried; do not eat meat that does not change color when cooked."
Postprandial Health Care
"After eating, rinse your mouth several times to keep teeth healthy and breath fresh; bite your teeth 36 times to fill the mouth with saliva, aiding digestion and preventing all diseases. Overeating followed by lying down causes indigestion and leads to various illnesses."