The older I get, the more I see how needs change. What worked for me at one stage of life doesn’t always work now. And the same is true for food.
That’s where the idea of 中庸 — balance — comes in.
Kids: Building Blocks
When I look at my kids, their bodies are in building mode. They need protein for muscles, calcium for bones, and enough calories to fuel all that growth and energy. At their age, balance doesn’t mean cutting back — it means giving them what their bodies demand to grow strong.
Adults: Managing Energy and Risks
By the time we hit adulthood, the game shifts. We’re no longer growing taller, but we’re carrying more responsibilities and stress. Food becomes less about growth and more about balance. Too much sugar, too much heavy food, and we start paying for it.
That’s where my own practice of intermittent fasting came in. I learned my body did better when I ate less often, usually one meal a day after 2 or 3 PM. It kept my waistline in check, my blood sugar stable, and my digestion steady. For me, balance in this stage of life meant learning restraint — not starving myself, but not overindulging either.
Older Adults: Comfort and Absorption
Then I look at my dad. In his late seventies, he eats differently than I do. His waistline has shrunk from 38 inches down to 32. He doesn’t need the same protein load my kids do, or the calorie control I focus on. Instead, he looks for foods that are easier to digest, sometimes with more fat to help his body absorb what it needs.
That’s balance at his stage of life — adjusting not just what tastes good, but what his body can actually use.
The Lesson of 中庸
Balance isn’t one-size-fits-all. It shifts as life shifts.
- Kids need building fuel.
- Adults need management and restraint.
- Older adults need comfort and absorption.
And balance isn’t just about food. Even water — something we all know is good for us — can become harmful if we overdo it. Drink too much water in a short time and you risk hyponatremia. Too much of a good thing turns poisonous.
That’s the heart of 中庸. It’s not about mediocrity or staying in the middle. It’s about finding the right balance for the season you’re in.
What worked for you ten years ago might not work today. And what works today may not work ten years from now. The wisdom is in adjusting, not clinging.