Learn the basics of how to eat a Chinese diet

Chinese people have incorporated Chinese herbs into their regular diet.  Shan Zha (hawthorn fruit) is eaten along with meat in order to make it easier for the body to digest meat.  Shan zha can also thin the blood and nourish the Yin.  Shan Yao (Chinese yam) is commonly eaten to nourish Qi.  Yi yi ren (coix seed) is used in soup to dry dampness and nourish the Spleen.  Many people drink a soybean decoction (called dou jiang) which includes soybean, kidney bean, aduki bean, black bean,  peanuts, walnuts, and chestnuts.  This soymilk decoction is very nourishing for the Kidneys.

Soymilk is a traditional beverage in China.  It is suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.   Soymilk is also estrogenic so it is good for women's health.  Men can also drink it, but only in moderation.

The Chinese know that eating too much meat taxes the digestive system and so they eat it in moderation.  Eating too much meat, and especially red meat, can make Heat (this is a TCM term) in the body and cause symptoms like grouchiness, indigestion, and constipation.  

The excessive consumption of spicy food, fried food, or liquor tends to encourage the development of Damp-Heat (this is also a TCM term) in the body and that can lead to symptoms like moodiness, short temper, acne, constipation, hemorrhoids, eczema, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gallstones, kidney stones, mouth ulcers, or stomach ulcers.   If you have any of these symptoms, try cutting down these foods and see how it affects your condition.    Sometimes it may be necessary to cut these foods out of the diet entirely for a period of time until the balance is restored and then you can begin eating them again in moderation.