An overview of neutral foods

Neutral food is a type of food with a neutral nature in the dietary therapy theory of traditional Chinese medicine. It is neither cold nor warm. It is suitable for long-term consumption by most people and has the function of harmonizing the body and balancing yin and yang. This article will start from the definition, common types, applicable groups and matching principles, focusing on analyzing the characteristics and daily applications of neutral foods. The core content includes: the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine for balanced foods, representative ingredients (such as japonica rice, yams, lotus seeds, etc.), suitable physiques (such as balanced or sub-healthy people), and matching skills with other foods.

The definition of neutral food and the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine

Neutral foods refer to neutral foods that are mild in nature and flavor, not biased towards cold or heat. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that they can strengthen the spleen and stomach, and replenish qi without disturbing the balance of yin and yang. The "Dietotherapeutic Materia Medica" of the Tang Dynasty first proposed the "Five Nature" classification. Among them, neutral foods have become the basis of daily diet due to their wide adaptability. For example, japonica rice can nourish the body and replenish qi, and yam can strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach. They are both typical neutral foods. Compared with modern nutrition, this type of food is mostly rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber and mild trace elements, and is suitable as a staple food or basic side dish.

Common neutral foods and nutritional values

There are a wide variety of neutral foods, covering grains, vegetables, beans and some meats. Representative ingredients include: japonica rice, corn, and sweet potatoes (staple foods); cabbage, carrots, and black fungus (vegetables); soybeans and lentils (beans); pork, and eggs (animal foods). Taking soybeans as an example, their protein content is as high as 36%, they are flat in nature and sweet in taste, and have both nutritional and traditional Chinese medicine value. The following is a nutritional comparison of some flat foods:

Applicable groups and matching suggestions

Bald food is especially suitable for people with a moderate physique, people recovering from illness, children, and the elderly. Traditional Chinese medicine recommends pairing cold or hot foods to adjust the balance. For example, those with a cold body can use flat japonica rice with warm ginger, and those with a hot body can use flat cabbage with cold cucumbers. It should be noted that some seemingly neutral foods (such as honey) are actually lukewarm and need to be selected based on your personal constitution. Professor Zhang from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine pointed out: "Eating neutral foods as the main food for a long time can reduce the risk of physical imbalance."

Summary and life application

Balanced food is the crystallization of the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine diet culture, which not only meets basic nutritional needs, but also avoids the impact of extreme sexual tastes on the body's constitution. In daily diet, it is recommended to use japonica rice, yam, etc. as the staple food base, paired with seasonal vegetables, and fine-tune based on personal physique. For example, the "Laohuo Jingtang" in Guangdong often uses flat pork with medicinal materials, embodying the concept of flat tonic. It should be noted that although commercial products such as "XX brand yam powder" (manufacturer: XX Pharmaceuticals) are advertised as neutral, the additive ingredients need to be checked to ensure that they comply with the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

Citing sources

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine Classic: "Dietotherapeutic Materia Medica" (written by Meng Shen of the Tang Dynasty)
2. Modern research: "Traditional Chinese Medicine Diet and Nutrition" (2020 edition) by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
3. Manufacturer’s product: XX Pharmaceutical “Yam Health Powder” (National Food Health Note G2023XXXX)
4. Expert opinion: Professor Zhang (Director of the Diet Therapy Teaching and Research Office, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine)