The weight of habit
I grew up, like millions of Chinese, with rice at every meal. It was the absolute norm, the inevitable cultural foundation. Rice was not just a food, it was the very symbol of food. We didn't ask 'did you eat?', but 'did you eat rice?'. This habit was so ingrained that it was impossible for me to imagine a meal without this steaming white bowl. It was psychological security, a legacy of centuries of survival where starch was the only guarantee against hunger.
But as I became an adult and observed my own body, I began to question this dogma. Why this dependence? Why this need to fill the stomach with a substance which, in the end, only provides rapid glucose and a feeling of heaviness? Starch was a historical necessity for physically hard-working peasants. Is it still justified for a modern leader or anyone leading a sedentary lifestyle? Habit is often the veil that hides the reality of our needs from us.
The question that liberates
Ask the question 'why?' was the beginning of my liberation. I realized that I was eating rice automatically, not out of need. I started experimenting with starch-free meals, focusing only on protein and wok vegetables. The change was immediate and dramatic. My energy became stable, my mental clarity persisted throughout the day, and that 'hole' feeling in my stomach two hours after the meal completely disappeared. I had finally found the balance I was looking for.
This observation allowed me to understand that starch was not the pillar of my health, but its obstacle. By removing it, I allowed my metabolism to breathe. I stopped being a slave to insulin spikes and sugar crashes. It’s a discovery that transformed my life as a chef and a man. We don't realize how much we are slowed down by starch until we leave it. Clarity is the price of this renunciation.
More Chinese without rice
Herein lies the paradox: reducing starch made me more Chinese, not less. For what ? Because the essence of Chinese culture is not in rice, but in the search for balance (the Tao) and in the mastery of flavors. By removing the rice, I force the other ingredients to fully express themselves. I restore its place to the wok technique, the science of fermentation and the poetry of spices. I return to a cuisine of intensity and accuracy, free of unnecessary filler.
Rice is a late and massive addition in the history of our diet. True Chinese wisdom is that of moderation and harmony between opposites. By choosing a low-carb diet, I align myself with these fundamental principles. I do not betray my heritage, I purify it. I show that you can be deeply attached to your roots while being demanding of your biology. Balance is a conquest over habit.
The clarified vision
Without starch, this balance finally becomes visible and tangible. We see the plate for what it is: a collection of precious nutrients. We savor each bite with new attention. We are no longer in mechanical consumption, but in conscious appreciation. This is what our ancestors sought throughout the generations: food that sustains life without hindering it. At 34, I finally feel in agreement with this age-old quest.
My kitchen has become a place of clarity. I serve dishes that have meaning, strength and soul. I want my clients to feel this balance, this sovereign lightness that comes from a well-nourished body. Rice is no longer necessary when the taste is sufficient. Health is about structure, not volume. By leaving starch, I found my own way. Clarity is my guide, balance is my destination. The wok is my instrument of truth.
Balance through reduction
Reducing starch is the most effective act for regaining lasting metabolic balance and an authentic connection with one's culinary roots.
I invite you to question your own starchy habits. Dare to reduce rice, pasta or bread, and observe what happens in your body and mind. Discover the richness behind the filling. Allow your energy to stabilize and your clarity to flourish. Health is a choice of every moment. ¡Zhu ni hao wei kou e viva o equilibrio real!
