Six Tastes Grocery List for a Balanced Diet

A simple way to make sure that you are getting a balanced diet is to include the six tastes (sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter, and astringent) in each meal. The energy and intelligence of the natural world is packaged for your consumption in these six tastes. Including all six tastes in every meal not only ensures that all major food groups and nutrients are represented, but it also provides you with a feeling of satisfaction. When you finish a meal feeling satisfied, you will be much less likely to find yourself raiding the cupboards or refrigerator two hours later. The typical American diet tends to be dominated by the sweet, sour, and salty tastes. We do need these tastes, but they can lower metabolism, especially if eaten in excess. The pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes, on the other hand, are anti- inflammatory and increase metabolism.

The human brain sends hunger signals when it becomes aware of the need for food. As we eat, our taste buds send messages to the brain informing it if we have ingested foods that provide the energy and nutrients we need. The six tastes are the codes that inform our nervous systems of a meal’s nutritional content. If we sample foods that correspond to each of these tastes throughout the day, our meals will provide a wide assortment of health promoting nutrients. If we do not have all flavors available, the brain is not satisfied and continues to send signals to eat more. As a result, we take in too many calories but remain malnourished. In order to include all six tastes in your meals, you may need to experiment with different foods and new spices.

Use this shopping list to enjoy the experience of nourishing your body with delicious, flavorful food!