Everyone knows it' s important to eat well to stay healthy.  But not everyone knows what that means, or what they should be eating.  Perhaps more importantly many people don' t understand the consequences of eating poorly. 
 
China’s rapid economic growth has brought dramatic changes in diet.  People eat more meats and fatty foods, and China now has the world’s largest number of diabetics.  But China also has a tradition of food therapy, eating certain foods to target certain diseases.  Recently one man became popular by promoting a combination of mung beans and eggplant to treat diseases including diabetes and cancer.

What exactly should you be eating to stay healthy?  Can some foods help cure diseases?  Are dietary requirements different around the world?

Ni hao, you're listening to  People In the Know,  bringing you insights into the headline news in China and around the world, online at crienglish.com, and here on China Radio International.

In today’s program we’ll discuss nutrition and food therapy.

First, we’ll speak with Prof. Chen Zhen Yu at the Department of Biochemistry at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

(Conversation with Prof. Chen)

And after a short break, we’ll talk to an American nutrition expert.

Ni hao, you're listening to  People In the Know,  bringing you insights into the headline news in China and around the world, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  I'm Thomas Rippe in Beijing.

The key to a healthy diet is balance.  Even too much of a good thing can be a problem.  Obsessing over healthy food has become an eating disorder known as orthorexia, and can be just as dangerous as other eating disorders.  For more we go now to Professor Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University.

(Conversation with Prof. Nestle)

And with that we close out this edition of  People In the Know, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International.