The way we perceive food and eating can vary greatly from person to person. While some view it as a basic necessity for survival, others see it as a way to connect with loved ones, and for some, it can be an emotional crutch. In Chinese Medicine, food is considered an essential energy and medicine for the body, and what we eat becomes a part of who we are. Therefore, it’s important to choose foods that are good medicine for ourselves, just as we limit the harmful words we listen to.

There’s no “best diet” for everyone, but rather a “best diet” for each individual. Your body contains great wisdom about what is good for it, and by listening to your body, you can determine what foods are healthy for you and which ones should be avoided. This requires paying close attention to how you feel after eating and being honest with yourself. Sometimes the negative effects of food are obvious, such as stomach pain, nausea, or fatigue, but other times, they’re more subtle. By bringing awareness to how you feel after each meal, you’ll begin to notice the differences between various types of foods and what kind of meals serve you best. This is similar to the practice of Qi Gong, which is based on subtle energy, and requires attentiveness to one’s experience in order to nourish the body properly.