Overview of The Okinawan Diet. Okinawa is a region in the southernmost part of Japan where inhabitants have traditionally had the longest lifespans on earth. It's low in calories and fat, and high in complex carbohydrates. Most of those carbohydrates come from vegetables, with only a small amount of grains or seeds, and no sugar or refined sweets. There is only a little bit of red meat and a minimal amount of dairy. Fish is consumed in moderation, and alcohol consumption is limited to an occasional drink. Typical foods in this diet include sweet potatoes, soy, bitter melon, shiitake mushrooms, burdock, jasmine tea, seaweed, and a fascinating array of herbs and spices. Here's a few that you should be able to buy in most grocery stores or Asian markets: Sweet Potatoes. In the past, less affluent Okinawans ate sweet potatoes. Lots and lots of sweet potatoes. Rice, especially white rice, was more expensive and was a bit of a status symbol: it was something consumed only by the wealthier folks. The neat thing is that sweet potatoes are nutrient- dense and rich in vitamins A and C, calcium and potassium. The Okinawa diet – could it help you live to 100? English food, never anything frozen" and enjoys a glass of sherry with friends from time to time. The Secret Okinawa Diet Plan to Live Longer. The proponents of this diet divide food into four categories based on caloric density. Okinawa Diet Food Pyramid. Conseils Livre Recettes Cuisine Okinawa Fils Book. They're also high in fiber. Soy is an excellent source of plant protein, and it provides the bulk of the protein in the Okinawa diet. Soy also contains phytochemicals called flavonoids and phytoestrogens, which may have health promoting qualities. Bitter Melon. Bitter melon is a gourd that's also known as goya, goo- fa or ku gua. Don't expect to find yakitori at a typical Okinawa restaurant. Okinawa, Japan has been deemed one of the Blue Zones. Okinawa-Diet food pyramid and Caloric Density Pyramid. It's used in salads, stir- fried meals and can be made into juice or tea. It's high in fiber and vitamin C, plus it has some beneficial phytochemicals. It may be difficult to find bitter melon in your local grocery store, but Asian food markets probably carry it. Shiitake Mushrooms. These large mushrooms are found in many types of Asian cooking. They're nutritious, and they might have some health benefits that could impact your immune system and help regulate cholesterol. Okinawa diet. Okinawa diet plan, off late, has taken the center-stage of discussion among nutrition scientists, and health-conscious individuals alike. The Okinawa Diet 502S VOL. 3) Moderate consumption of fish products (especially in coastal areas). These characteristics are reflected in the food pyramid.You can find these mushrooms in the produce section of most grocery stores, or they may be found in the canned vegetable aisle. Seaweed. Kombu, hijiki, and mozuku are seaweeds commonly used in Okinawa. They're often served with noodles, in salads, in stir- fries, and with vegetables. Seaweed is high in iodine, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium and astaxanthin. It's not easy to find these types of seaweed in a typical grocery store, but you may be able to find nori, which is sold in thin sheets, and sometimes used when preparing sushi. Herbs and Spices. Some of the seasonings used in this diet have a potential for health benefits and add flavor without adding any calories. They include turmeric, mugwort, Okinawan peppers, and fennel seeds. Why the Diet May Work. The Okinawan diet is low in calories and high in fiber, so it can help you lose or maintain weight, which is essential for avoiding chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. You could say the Okinawan diet is an anti- inflammatory diet, which can help to reduce the risk of those chronic diseases for a number of reasons: Low fat (especially saturated fat), but still high in omega- 3 fatty acids. At least some forms of saturated fats can increase inflammation and omega- 3's tend to reduce inflammation. Low in refined carbohydrates (like sugar), so it doesn't have a big impact on your blood sugar levels. That's good because blood sugar spikes could contribute to a pro- inflammatory state in your body that increases the risk of chronic disease and inflammation. High in vitamins C, E and A, and phytochemicals. These nutrients work as antioxidants to protect your cells from free radical damage (things like smoke, pollution, rancid fats and oils and so on). These nutrients might help to reduce inflammation. Is the Okinawan Diet for You? The main negative I can see with this diet is that it tends to be high in sodium. If you're on a salt- restricted diet, please speak to your doctor before adding in some of the sodium- rich foods like miso, salted fish or soy sauce (even reduced sodium soy sauce is high in sodium). It's possible that the abundance of fruits and vegetables high in potassium and calcium counteracts the sodium, but I wouldn't risk it. This diet is very low in red meat, eggs, and poultry. That's okay because you can still get enough protein from soy and fish. But it also has very few grains - - even whole grains - - and it's very low in dairy products. You can get enough nutrition without those food groups, but it's. The star of the Okinawa diet is the sweet potato. They're easy to find at any grocery store (although they may be mislabeled as yams). Choose soy and soy foods. Try adding tofu to a stir- fry or switch from dairy milk to soy milk. Swap out your red meat for a serving of fish. Or better yet, up your intake of legumes. Add mushrooms to your meals - - try different varieties like shiitake, oyster, and King trumpet mushrooms. They're delicious and can be used in place of meat as the focus of a meal. Source: Willcox DC, Willcox BJ, Todoriki H, Suzuki M. Aug; 2. 8 Suppl: 5.
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