| The Japanese enjoy one of the healthiest diets on | | | | "now-in-season" in Japanese. |
| earth. Japan's population has the lowest level of | | | | Eating the ingredients in season provides variety and |
| obesity in the developed world and people tend to | | | | a better way to get all the nutrients you need |
| live longer than any other country. | | | | naturally; also a lot of raw foods are eaten that have |
| The Japanese diet is an easy and fun diet to follow. | | | | a higher nutritional value than heavily cooked foods. |
| Healthy Diets should be Effortless | | | | 5. Portion Control |
| There are major concerns over low or no carb diets, | | | | Portions tend to be smaller and are savored, and it is |
| such as the Atkins diet. These diets are not natural, | | | | this portion control that stops binging and over eating. |
| and aside from health concerns, many people find | | | | Each portion is eaten slowly, so the stomach has |
| them difficult to follow. | | | | more time to register when it is full. Eating slowly also |
| The Japanese diet is natural and a sensible way to | | | | aids digestion and absorption of the nutrients in the |
| eat (similar to the Mediterranean diet) and like most | | | | food. |
| healthy diets it is not difficult to follow. | | | | 6. Breakfast |
| The Perfect Healthy Diet for Everyone | | | | Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, |
| The traditional Japanese diet is very low in | | | | giving a boost of energy and preventing hunger |
| cholesterol, fat, and calories and high in fiber and here | | | | pangs later. |
| are the eight secrets of its success: | | | | A typical breakfast might include green tea, steamed |
| 1. Eat Rice | | | | rice, miso soup with tofu, spring onions and maybe |
| How many times in a week do you eat rice? For the | | | | omelette and grilled salmon. Sounds better than Muesli |
| Japanese it is normally daily. | | | | to me! |
| Rice is rich in carbohydrates and proteins it is the | | | | 7. Cook Light |
| basis of the Japanese diet. | | | | In the Japanese diet, food is usually steamed, |
| 2. Eat More Fish | | | | pan-fried, simmered or stir fried over intense heat. |
| The Japanese eat about 70kg of fish per person per | | | | This method of cooking helps the food retain more |
| year, that's four times as much as the average for | | | | of the nutrients and particularly anti ageing |
| the rest of the world. | | | | antioxidants. |
| Eating fish (particularly oily fish) lowers the risk of | | | | 8. Enjoy Sweets |
| disease and increases vitality. | | | | The Japanese diet has room for these treats. |
| 3. Eat Soya | | | | They love chocolate, pastries, ice cream and cookies. |
| The Japanese eat 10 times more Soya produce than | | | | The difference is they view them as a regular treat |
| any other nation. Low in calories and fat and high in | | | | and do not overdo the portions. |
| protein Soya is also packed with plant oestrogen. | | | | One of the Best Diets on Earth |
| 4. Variety | | | | When looking at healthy diets it is clear that the |
| A recent study showed that Japanese people eat an | | | | Japanese have one of the best diets on earth: |
| average of 100 different foods a week, compared to | | | | · Low in cholesterol and fat |
| just 30 in other western countries. This well balanced | | | | · Well balanced |
| diet provides all the nutrients the body needs. | | | | A huge variety of foods to enjoy so you will never |
| A premium is also placed upon freshness and natural | | | | get bored. |
| flavor; people like to eat ingredients at their "shun" or | | | | |