Cheery China 

Cheery China 

Blog Post #4

April 14, 2015

By: Gillian Fiandaca 

The traditional Chinese diet is very healthy. It features low or moderate amounts of animal-based protein and plenty of plant-based foods. The Chinese diet has received praise for its disease-fighting abilities. Chinese cooking uses good as therapy to harmonize the body with the seasons. Strategic blends of spices and flavors contribute to the healthful and tasteful qualities of Chinese food. The traditional Chinese diet includes vegetables that have been lightly steamed or stir fried, noodles, or dumplings. Meat and fish are commonly served, but in much smaller portions than the typical western diet. American cooking styles tend to associate spiced with flavor enhancement, which usually results in less-healthy meals. In Chinese cooking, garlic, ginger, and other spices are included as aids to digestion. Green tea, which has antioxidant qualities, is also common in the Chinese diet. According to ITALICIZES THE INDEPENDENT, the real Chinese diet is so healthy it could solve the west's obesity crisis. Chinese food has a bad reputation in the U.K. because not properly prepared; the rice-heavy meals and fatty dishes are thought to lead straight to obesity and heart disease. However, properly prepared it is healthy, fulfilling, fights illness, and prolongs life. The rising levels of obesity in China are caused are caused by sugary, over processed western food, not the Chinese food itself. The Chinese treat vegetables as meals, fill up on staple foods such as rice, eat liquid food (soup) at every meal, and drink a lot of green tea. One particularly healthy Chinese dish is stir-fried noodles with green tea. It is low in cholesterol and high in fiber and protein. I think Chinese food is gradually becoming more popular thoroughly America. The food in the novel affects all of the characters differently. Some characters find it delicious while others get socks or react in strange ways. I think if Tita prepared a Chinese dish for the characters, they would all love it and be emotionally rewarded. 

 Stir-fried noodles with green tea recipe

Smith, Melissa. "Traditional Chinese Diet." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 17 Feb. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.

Morris, Sophie. "Use Your Noodle." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.

"Stir-Fried Noodles with Green Tea." Healthy Recipes, Healthy Eating, Healthy Cooking. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.