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Why the Chinese Don't Count Calories
A favourite Chinese greeting is Ni chi fan le ma? - Have you eaten yet? Unlike many in the West, the Chinese see food not as a chore to prepare and source of unwanted calories, but a health-giving pleasure.
In 16 short, captivating chapters, Lorraine Clissold explains why the Chinese can eat as much as they want without worrying about their weight. With examples and recipes, Lorraine shows how the Chinese balance their diet by satisfying their taste buds with five flavours, by eating a mixture of staple foods and carefully prepared dishes, and by making sure they eat the right proportions of solids, liquids and hot and cold foods.
In 16 short, captivating chapters, Lorraine Clissold explains why the Chinese can eat as much as they want without worrying about their weight. With examples and recipes, Lorraine shows how the Chinese balance their diet by satisfying their taste buds with five flavours, by eating a mixture of staple foods and carefully prepared dishes, and by making sure they eat the right proportions of solids, liquids and hot and cold foods.
240 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2019
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Lorraine Clissold
3 books1 followerLorraine lived in Beijing from 1995 to 2005 and, fascinated to find a nation that loved to eat and always ate well, she frequented street stalls and markets and learned to speak Mandarin Chinese so that she could interact with chefs and restauranteurs.
Her interest led her to the study of Chinese traditional medicine; she appeared frequently in the Chinese press, hosted a cooking programme on Chinese national television and founded the Chinese Cooking School, the first to be dedicated to teaching Westerners the wisdom of the traditional Chinese diet. On her return to the UK in 2005 she wrote ‘Why the Chinese Don’t Count Calories’ to demystify the Chinese diet and show the West how food can be make you fit not fat.
Her interest led her to the study of Chinese traditional medicine; she appeared frequently in the Chinese press, hosted a cooking programme on Chinese national television and founded the Chinese Cooking School, the first to be dedicated to teaching Westerners the wisdom of the traditional Chinese diet. On her return to the UK in 2005 she wrote ‘Why the Chinese Don’t Count Calories’ to demystify the Chinese diet and show the West how food can be make you fit not fat.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 11, 2018
Nice intro into Chinese Medicine and Chinese Culture.
Main principles of the book:
- everything should be in balance
- everything is connected (your emotions to your health)
There are a few basic Chinese recipes.
Felt I needed a bit more substance and more elements, but it was a nice easy read.
Main principles of the book:
- everything should be in balance
- everything is connected (your emotions to your health)
There are a few basic Chinese recipes.
Felt I needed a bit more substance and more elements, but it was a nice easy read.
April 16, 2022
I believe Lorraine Clissold has written a subset version of Tong Shu (Chinese Almanac) on Traditional Chinese Medicine, culture, food, health, and Taoism.
Excellent anecdotes and contents that espouse 15 secrets within. Wisdom or lessons from each chapter makes you evaluate your priority to gain enlightenment of reading the book.
Never thought outsider could divulge and share the secrets of Chinese culture so intimately through her words.
Excellent companion to Tong Shu and must-have for your personal library collection.
Excellent anecdotes and contents that espouse 15 secrets within. Wisdom or lessons from each chapter makes you evaluate your priority to gain enlightenment of reading the book.
Never thought outsider could divulge and share the secrets of Chinese culture so intimately through her words.
Excellent companion to Tong Shu and must-have for your personal library collection.
July 21, 2019
Having spent 1.5 years as a foreign student in Beijing as well, I can relate to many of her insights and accurate insights. Rice is indeed life! And indeed, in Asia to ask someone whether they have eaten or not is a form of affection. Appreciate the little personal anecdotes and history behind food-related topics. The book has some basic Chinese food recipes but it is not a recipe book.
*brb going to drink my green tea and sign up for Qigong classes*
This was relatable, easy, insightful read.
*brb going to drink my green tea and sign up for Qigong classes*
This was relatable, easy, insightful read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews