Five Tips on How to Stay Healthy in China

I've been in China teaching English for almost six months, and I'm proud to say that I haven't been sick. I've watched people battle the flu and all sorts of strange ailments. What's my secret, you may ask? Because we all eat roughly the same food, right? Ah, maybe, but not exactly. You may say that to a degree we do. We breathe the same air. Here are my five tips on how I stay healthy, even living abroad.

Coming from someone who is slightly overweight at the moment but working towards a specific healthy weight goal, I can honestly say this has been my saving grace: supplements.

Let me backtrack a bit. When I was packing for my first overseas trip to Shanghai, China, one of my biggest concerns was how I was going to stay healthy. I worked out a plan that included a major sacrifice. More than half of my suitcase was filled with whole food supplements from AIM.

You might be thinking, "Well, there is no AIM in China," and yes, that is true. However, there is a Holland and Barrett, and you can always find a wide range of options online.

China has some of the best melons I have ever tasted. The variety is endless. Make sure to clean your fresh produce thoroughly using clean water. I always wash my fruit with slightly salted filtered water and a little baking soda.

It is best to eat fruit on an empty stomach and try not to mix it with cooked food, as it takes about an hour for fruit to digest properly.

Drink plenty of clean water - I certainly do. You will find that your skin looks fantastic and your energy levels become boundless.

When it comes to skincare, my general rule of thumb is this: if I would not eat it, then it should not go on my skin. After all, the skin is the body’s largest absorber.

I use it on my skin, as it contains natural sun-blocking agents, and if the scent is too strong, there is also an odourless option available. This wonder oil is also excellent for cooking, unlike olive oil, because it does not change its structure when heated.