Fit and Fab Inspired by Japanese Diet

I love Japanese Food both the taste and appearance. It's appetising and yet filling even though the portion is small compare with western meals.

As I dig into it, I am able to correlate why most of Japanese people are active, healthy and long life expectancy.

By starting the meal with non-cream based soup, we already filled 20% of our stomach. Despite preventing us from over-eating, it's also keep us hydrated.

Thus it's lower our overall calories intakes. 

 

The average Japanese person is said to consume 154 pounds of fish a year, which averages out at 1/2 pound of fish a day. Fish is a great lean protein source that is low in saturated fat and also packed with vitamins and anti-inflammatory substances like omega-3 fatty acids.

  

Japanese relies on plant-based protein which is soy with no fat content.

It helps to reduce heart disease, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and it will help on weight loss too.

Japanese loves seaweed and it's one of the essential ingredients in Japanese cooking.

Wakame in particular is high in vitamins and a great source of calcium, iodine, folate and magnesium.

It has only 5 calories per serving.

In general, meals portion in Japan are smaller than the rest of the world. Thus Japanese meals have 25% less calories than western meals by reducing their portion size.

"Hara Hachi Bu" is common slogan in Japan, to eat until 80% full.

In this way, they are less likely to be over-eating.

Japanese loves to drink tea. In fact, Japanese green tea has many health benefits ; it's believed to help regulate blood pressure, boost the immune system, lower cholesterol and fight the free radicals that can cause cancer.