JAPANESE HEALTHY DIET
The Japanese diet is well BALANCED and considered to be one of the healthiest in the world, and for that reason the Japanese have an average life expectancy far greater than the western world. Japanese have long been revered and studied for their long life expectancy, which is higher than almost anywhere else in the world.
This is why:
◊ Large Green Tea and Matcha Consumption
Japanese green Tea has numerous health benefits, so much so that we should all be brewing up with it. Green tea is believed to help regulate blood pressure, lower blood sugar, boost the immune system, lower cholesterol, slow the aging process, promote weight loss and studies have even shown that green tea can be effective at preventing cancer.
◊ Smaller Food Portions
Food portions in Japan are smaller and reduce the opportunity for pigging out. Western visitors to Japan will find that when eating out, meals will be roughly about half the size of what they are used to (or even less if they are used to US-sized portions).
◊ Healthy Desserts
The Japanese do enjoy some western desserts like ice cream or cake, but they are more likely to serve up some seasonal fruits arranged on a plate than a sticky toffee pudding. And Matcha infused desserts are most popular.
◊ High Vegetable Consumption
The Japanese consume large amounts of vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, chinese cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and watercress.
High in Vitamin C and fibre, they also contain potent anti-cancer properties. Methods of cooking vegetables, include lightly steaming or frying them, which helps retain maximum nutrients as apposed to frying the vegetables.
◊ Healthy Noodles
Japanese soba noodles are also a staple part of the nation’s diet and are made from wheat and buckwheat flour which helps the digestive process. Soba noodles contain no white flour and are considered significantly healthier, being high in fibre. They help the body eliminate cholesterol, as well as promoting regular bowel movement.
◊ Smaller portions of Rice
Rice is consumed in small portions by the Japanese, so much so that it is served with virtually every meal of the day, including breakfast.
As a low-fat carbohydrate, rice fills you up so there’s less room for fattening and artery-clogging foods.
◊ Soy Products
Like fish, soy products such as tofu are also a great alternative source of protein than red meat or even dairy, since they have little or no saturated fat.
Soy products help lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease. As a staple part of the Japanese diet, soy products are great at helping keep down cholesterol and are a useful addition to a healthy diet.
◊ Less Red Meats
Red meat contains saturated fats that can clog the arteries if eaten to excess, and can lead to obesity and bring on heart disease. So get eating more salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, and avoid that red meat and a potential heart attack.
◊ Fish For Health
We associate a Japanese diet closely with consuming fish, and in large quantities. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their heart-health and even brain-boosting benefits.
