Traditional Health
Practices
Traditional Uses of
Food for Health in China
A Chinese meal nourishes not only the physical body but also
the mind and spirit as well by emphasizing the balance of Yin
and Yang (hot & cold). If the hot Yang and cool Yin are in
harmony through the diet, the body functions at an optimal
level of health.
Traditionally, the meal at a
Chinese celebration (i.e., weddings,
graduations) will have nine courses.
The meal will start with a thick,
hot soup. Often shark fin and
bird nest soup is served because of the rarity and intricate
preparation required.
A silver fungus or mushroom dish
follows the soup. This
sequence is important because of the possibility that tiny bits of
down may still be left in the soup from the bird nest and the
silver fungus will collect and carry the stray feathers through
the digestive system.
Cold ginger sauce chicken is next
because the Chinese people
believe the rooster is the Yang symbol that is male or the
positive principle of life.
Crispy Peking roast duck served
with thin, small pancakes and
a sweet bean sauce was served next. The goose and duck
symbolize fidelity and joy.
Next stir-fry beef broccoli was
served because the beef is
considered to be neutral in energy and sweet in flavor.
Every meal must have noodles
because they are a symbol of long
life.
These pages
were created under the
guidance of Sharon Moran,
RN,CS, MPH, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Kathleen
Kotecki, RN, MN, Instructor of Nursing. We welcome your
comments!