The Yin-Yang Diet

Book excerpt: The Yin-Yang Diet is a modern, scientific approach to balanced nutrition based on the ancient Asian concept of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang describe how opposites or contrary forces are interconnected, interdependent and complimentary. The book explains the Yin or Yang nature of foods and nutrients and how they affect our constantly changing body chemistry. A diet that is too extreme in either Yin or Yang invites disease. A diet that is balanced in Yin and Yang creates metabolic health and harmony. The Yin-Yang Diet includes recommendations for adaptogenic tonic herbs. Yin tonics help with the accumulation of energy and moisture and are nourishing, moistening, cooling or anti-inflammatory. Conversely, Yang tonics help us utilize energy. Yang herbs are activating, drying, warm or hot. They are the sexual, athletic tonics, which stimulate metabolism, build muscle, reduce body fat and strengthen bones and joints. Other important Yin-Yang considerations covered are Digestion and Elimination, Acid and Alkaline, and Food and Food Abstinence. Recommendations follow each chapter. The Yin-Yang Diet goes beyond a plant-based diet, and there is no calorie counting! When you achieve Yin-Yang balance in your diet, you are on the path to what the Chinese call “radiant health” or “health beyond danger.” Radiant health is the highest level of health a person can attain.