Now, let me tell ya, there’s this thing called Taoist food, it’s all about eatin’ things that do good for yer body and spirit. They believe what ya eat affects yer energy, and if ya eat right, you can live long and strong. Ain’t no fancy stuff here, just simple foods that help keep things balanced inside yer body. Taoists, they say, they been doin’ it for ages, and it works, you know? Let me explain a bit more.
First off, they say food should be like medicine, not somethin’ that makes you feel sluggish or sick. Ya gotta eat the right things to stay healthy. It’s all about the balance of energy, what they call “chi,” or “qi.” If ya eat too much of the wrong stuff, it messes up yer chi, and that ain’t no good. So, in Taoist food, they recommend a lot of grains—50 to 70 percent of yer meals should be whole grains, like rice and oats. These things help give you energy without makin’ ya feel too heavy or tired.
Now, don’t go eatin’ just any grains! They ain’t talkin’ about white bread or sugar—oh no. Those things don’t help with nothin’, just make ya fat and sick. Taoists believe that refined stuff like white flour is bad for ya, and sugar is like poison. Instead, you need whole, natural grains. That’s the trick to keepin’ yer energy flowin’ smooth.
Then, there’s vegetables. Taoist diet says you should eat about 20 to 30 percent of your food from vegetables. Things like spinach, carrots, and cabbage. They help keep things movin’ in yer body and bring in the right vitamins and minerals. Just make sure yer veggies are fresh, not canned or preserved with chemicals. Them canned ones can’t do nothin’ good for ya!
But the Taoist diet ain’t all just grains and veggies, no sir. You still need a little bit of animal or bean products. About 5 to 10 percent of yer meals should come from things like fish, eggs, or beans. Now, the Taoists got a special way of thinkin’ about meat. They say wild fish from rivers or seas is better than them farm fish. I reckon that’s ’cause wild fish live in clean water and eat natural stuff, while them farmed fish are stuck in ponds and fed all sorts of strange stuff. The same goes for chickens—ya gotta eat them “earth chickens,” not them farm-raised ones. Earth chickens got more natural flavor and better nutrition, I suppose.
Eggs? Oh yes, Taoists love eggs! But not just any way. They recommend eatin’ eggs scrambled or in omelettes. And get this, they say it’s better to eat just the yolks, not the whites. The yolks are the good part, full of all the nutrients. So, no need to be shy about eatin’ them eggs, but eat ’em the Taoist way!
And you know what else they avoid? Things that stink up yer breath. That’s right, they don’t like strong-smellin’ plants like garlic, shallots, or onions. These things are called the “Five Fetid,” and they say it messes with yer energy. So, if ya wanna follow Taoist food, better steer clear of them strong smells, even if they do make yer food taste good!
There’s also somethin’ called “bigu” that some Taoists follow. It’s like avoidin’ grains altogether for a while to cleanse the body. But don’t get too scared now, it’s just a part of their fasting practice. They believe grains can cause trouble inside yer body and lead to sickness, even diabetes. So, they say, if ya wanna get rid of toxins, sometimes ya gotta take a break from them grains.
What about meat? Well, some Taoists avoid meat altogether, and just stick to a vegan diet. It’s a way of livin’ that helps keep the peace and harmony in the world, they say. By not eatin’ meat, ya ain’t hurtin’ no animals, and that’s important to Taoist beliefs. Of course, not all Taoists follow this strictly, but it’s a big part of their teachings.
Now, in the modern world, some of these old Taoist ways might seem strange to folks. But they say it’s all about health—inside and out. If ya keep yer body in balance, yer mind and spirit will be strong too. So, Taoist food isn’t just about what ya eat, it’s about keepin’ everything in harmony. It’s about eatin’ simple, wholesome foods that don’t cause no harm, and help ya feel good.
So, what can we learn from all this? Well, maybe it’s time to think a little more about what we put in our bodies. Maybe we should eat more whole grains, fresh vegetables, and less of them sugary snacks and processed foods. And, who knows, maybe we’ll feel better and live longer, just like them Taoists say. It’s a simple way of eatin’, but sometimes, the simplest things are the best.
Next time you’re lookin’ at your plate, think about balance—what’s good for ya, what makes ya feel good, and what helps keep yer energy flowin’ nice and smooth. It ain’t always easy, but start small. Maybe just try eatin’ a little more rice and a few more veggies, and see how it goes. Your body will thank ya for it!
Tags：[Taoist diet, Taoist foods, healthy eating, whole grains, vegetables, wild fish, veganism, bigu, longevity, balance, energy flow]
