As covered in Part 1, each of the 5 elements (wuxing) are correlated to a flavor. What’s important here is that yes, you enjoy your food so you can “nourish life” (yang sheng), but also that you get a steady mix. Too much sweet fattens and rottens. too much salt dries the blood. Too much spice disperses the Qi. Too much bitter drains jing (life force). Too much sour over astringes the liver.
The goal is a form of balance, which in blood physiology is called titration. You need a middle ground, and you go up an down like a see-saw, but never too far in any direction.
In part 3 we will discuss the 6 environmental factors as they relate to the flavors.
For now, focus on colors and flavors, and do your journal! Try to keep a healthy mix, and if possible, all 5 elements in every meal. Seek balance. Playing catchup all the time is not balance. It’s better than giving up. But seek preventative nutritional maintenance, and not fad diets!
-Ramon