Discover the Okinawa Diet

Japan's Okinawans are known for their longevity, attributed to their Okinawan style diet.

The July issue of Modern Mom magazine's "Wellbeing & Health" column explores how people can eat to live longer. It is as follows:

1. Okinawans have a catchphrase that emphasizes the importance of “eating food as medicine” and being mindful of how much is consumed.
2. They strive to have a balanced diet, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in each meal.
3. They practice Harahashibu, which is eating until 4/5 full or about 1,800 kcal per day (compared to Westerners consuming 2,500 kcal per day). This helps to avoid overworking the digestive system.
4. Okinawans eat each bite of rice slowly, chewing it for a long time to enhance the flavor and prevent overeating.
5. Rather than striving to lose weight, it is recommended to reduce fat intake in order to keep the body strong and energized.
6. The Okinawan diet is high in vitamin E, which is beneficial to the brain and helps to reduce the risk of diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.
7. Okinawan cuisine is renowned for its health benefits, with each meal containing seven vegetables and herbs such as turmeric, mint, sesame, chili, and pepper.
8. To further promote good health, Okinawans consume less than three teaspoons of salt per day, which helps to lower their risk of high blood pressure.
9. Okinawans also traditionally eat miso before each meal, which increases the space in their stomach and helps them feel fuller with smaller portions.

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