Exploration on the Connotation and Application of the Three Aspects of "Dietary Inquiry" for "Appetite" "Eating Capacity" "Food Preference"
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.09.016
- VernacularTitle:“欲食”“能食”“喜食”之“问食”三要的内涵与应用
- Author:
Chengxiang WANG
1
;
Chen YANG
2
;
Xueping ZHANG
1
;
Xinxin HU
1
;
Wei WEI
1
;
Xiaolan SU
1
Author Information
1. Wangjing Hospital，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Beijing，100102
2. Emergency General Hospital
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
inquiry;
diet;
spleen and stomach diseases
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(9):1017-1022
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
"Dietary inquiry" is a core component of the diagnostic system in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， which can be divided into three aspects including appetite， eating capacity， and food preference. Abnormalities in appetite are mainly attributed to dysfunction of the mind and impaired regulatory mechanisms. Clinical inquiry should focus on hunger sensation and the willingness to eat voluntarily. Treatment should aim to soothe the liver， regulate the spleen， nourish and calm the mind. Abnormalities in eating capacity are related to disorders of qi movement and structural dysfunction， for which inquiry should focus on whether food descends smoothly and on postprandial reactions， and the corresponding treatment is descending qi， relieving fullness， and promoting bowel movement and digestion. Abnormalities in food preference arise from damage caused by the five flavors and imbalance of visceral qi， for which inquiry should focus on dietary preferences and whether eating brings comfort. It is important to distinguish between "stomach preference" and "oral preference"， and treatment should carefully differentiate flavor tendencies and correct imbalances through appropriate dietary flavors. By refining the content of dietary inquiry， this study explores how different dimensions of eating status reflect the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation-based treatment in TCM， providing a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of spleen and stomach diseases and related disorders.
