均衡饮食
To eat balanced diet
Literally: Equilibrium (均衡) + Diet (饮食)
Use this phrase to discuss long-term healthy eating habits and nutritional balance in any social setting.
In 15 Seconds
- Eating a healthy variety of different food groups.
- A common way to discuss health and nutrition habits.
- Combines 'equilibrium' and 'diet' for a balanced lifestyle.
Meaning
It means keeping your meals balanced and healthy. It's the Chinese way of saying you aren't just eating junk food or only meat, but a good mix of everything.
Key Examples
3 of 6Giving health advice to a friend
为了健康，你应该保持均衡饮食。
For your health, you should maintain a balanced diet.
Talking to a doctor
医生建议我平时要注意均衡饮食。
The doctor suggested I pay attention to a balanced diet.
Texting a roommate about groceries
我们多买点蔬菜吧，均衡饮食很重要！
Let's buy more vegetables; a balanced diet is important!
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the traditional Chinese belief that 'illness enters through the mouth.' While ancient texts focused on the balance of hot and cold foods, modern Chinese society uses this phrase to bridge traditional wisdom with modern nutritional science. It is a staple phrase in public health campaigns across China.
The 'Verb' Secret
Always pair this with `注意` (pay attention to) or `保持` (maintain) to sound like a native speaker.
Not for Weight Loss
Don't use this if you mean 'I am on a diet to get thin.' Use `减肥` for that, or you'll sound like you're just talking about health.
In 15 Seconds
- Eating a healthy variety of different food groups.
- A common way to discuss health and nutrition habits.
- Combines 'equilibrium' and 'diet' for a balanced lifestyle.
What It Means
均衡饮食 is all about harmony on your plate. In Chinese, 均衡 means balanced or equalized. 饮食 refers to the act of eating and drinking. Together, they describe a lifestyle of nutritional stability. It is not a temporary diet for weight loss. It is a long-term commitment to health. Think of it as the 'Goldilocks' of eating. Not too much oil, not too much sugar, just right.
How To Use It
You use it as a noun phrase. You can 'maintain' (保持) or 'pay attention to' (注意) a balanced diet. It sounds very natural in daily conversation. You might tell a friend who only eats burgers to try 均衡饮食. It fits perfectly after verbs like 需要 (need) or 建议 (suggest). It is a very flexible phrase for health talk.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing lifestyle habits or health goals. It is great for doctor visits or gym chats. You can use it when planning a weekly grocery list. It works well when explaining why you are ordering a salad. It is a polite way to decline heavy, greasy food. Use it when you want to sound responsible and health-conscious.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it to describe a single snack. A lone apple is healthy, but it is not a 均衡饮食. Avoid using it if you are actually talking about a strict weight-loss diet. For that, use 减肥 (lose weight). It is also too formal for a casual 'Let's eat!' moment. Don't say it while stuffing your face with pizza. That would just be ironic and confusing!
Cultural Background
Chinese culture views food as medicine. The concept of balance is rooted in Yin and Yang. Traditional meals usually include a 'Fan' (grain) and 'Cai' (dishes) balance. 均衡饮食 is the modern, scientific version of this ancient wisdom. It became very popular as people moved toward urban lifestyles. Now, it is a buzzword in every Chinese health magazine. It represents a shift from just 'eating enough' to 'eating well.'
Common Variations
You might hear 饮食均衡, which just flips the words. It means the same thing but acts more like a description. People also say 营养均衡 (nutritional balance). This version focuses more on the vitamins and minerals. Both are very common in health-conscious circles. You can use them interchangeably in most casual settings.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all audiences. Just remember it functions as a noun phrase, so it usually needs a verb like 'maintain' or 'have' before it.
The 'Verb' Secret
Always pair this with `注意` (pay attention to) or `保持` (maintain) to sound like a native speaker.
Not for Weight Loss
Don't use this if you mean 'I am on a diet to get thin.' Use `减肥` for that, or you'll sound like you're just talking about health.
The Yin-Yang Connection
In China, a 'balanced diet' often implies a balance of 'heating' and 'cooling' foods, not just vitamins!
Examples
6为了健康，你应该保持均衡饮食。
For your health, you should maintain a balanced diet.
A very standard way to give friendly advice.
医生建议我平时要注意均衡饮食。
The doctor suggested I pay attention to a balanced diet.
Commonly used in medical or professional health contexts.
我们多买点蔬菜吧，均衡饮食很重要！
Let's buy more vegetables; a balanced diet is important!
Informal use in a daily chore context.
我的均衡饮食就是左手拿肉，右手拿菜。
My balanced diet is meat in my left hand and veggies in my right.
A play on words using the literal meaning of balance.
你工作太忙了，但也要记得均衡饮食。
You're so busy with work, but remember to eat a balanced diet.
Shows care and affection through health advice.
均衡饮食是健康生活的基石。
A balanced diet is the cornerstone of a healthy life.
High-level, formal statement for a speech or article.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the health advice.
如果你想身体好，就必须___均衡饮食。
`保持` (bǎochí) means 'to maintain,' which is the most natural verb to use with a diet.
Which word fills the blank to mean 'diet'?
均衡的___对孩子的发展很有帮助。
`饮食` (yǐnshí) refers to food and drink/diet, fitting the context of nutrition.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 均衡饮食
Chatting with friends about lunch choices.
我要均衡饮食，点个沙拉。
Standard daily conversation or texting.
均衡饮食对身体好。
Medical advice or health seminars.
请务必遵循均衡饮食的原则。
Where to use 均衡饮食
At the Gym
Talking to a trainer about meal plans.
The Hospital
Listening to a doctor's recovery advice.
Dinner Table
Explaining why you're eating more veggies.
Supermarket
Choosing a variety of food groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While it sounds a bit 'proper,' people use it casually all the time when talking about health, like 我最近在尝试均衡饮食.
Only if you mean a 'healthy' diet. If you are skipping meals to lose weight, 均衡饮食 is the opposite of what you are doing.
均衡饮食 focuses on the habit of eating, while 营养均衡 (nutritional balance) focuses on the nutrients themselves.
You can say 我需要均衡饮食 (Wǒ xūyào jūnhéng yǐnshí).
Yes, parents often tell their children 不要挑食，要均衡饮食 (Don't be a picky eater, eat a balanced diet).
Technically yes, but it sounds very scientific. Usually, it's reserved for human lifestyle discussions.
You might see it in the 'Healthy Options' section of a modern menu or a health cafe.
The verb 保持 (bǎochí - to maintain) is the most frequent partner for this phrase.
No, in fact, a 'balanced' diet in China almost always includes a moderate amount of meat or fish.
It's better for habits. For one meal, you'd say 这顿饭很营养 (This meal is very nutritious).
Related Phrases
营养丰富
Rich in nutrition
挑食
Picky eater
垃圾食品
Junk food
荤素搭配
A mix of meat and vegetables
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