The Okinawa region of
Japan is considered a “Blue Zone,” one of the areas of the world where people
live the longest, according to Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for living longer from the people who’ve lived
the longest. In Okinawa, people live longer than most Americans, and the
need for weight loss programs is much less.
Japan’s stronger longevity rate is greatly attributed to the healthier diets and lifestyles of the population in this region. Many medical weight loss centers recommend adopting a similar mindset and meal plan—with an obesity rate of less than four percent, it’s pretty clear that the Japanese can teach us a thing or two. Who knows—perhaps following their lifestyle could eliminate the need for weight loss programs and weight loss products altogether in America.
One of the fundamental elements of the Japanese diet is to begin all of their meals with soup—even breakfast! Miso soup is part of most of their meals—it makes sense because a broth-based soup can help you feel full for longer periods of time, thus decreasing the possibility of overeating. The physicians at our medical weight loss centers agree that soup is an ideal way to start a meal. Perhaps try just starting lunch and dinner with a soup if you can’t stomach it first thing in the morning. Stick to broth-based soups; creamy ones tend to be high in both calories and fat.
Another aspect of the Japanese diet which weight loss clinics recommend is to add lots of color to your plate. The Japanese strive to incorporate five different colors into each meal: red, blue or green, black, white and yellow. By creating a colorful plate, you’re certain to get lots of healthy foods that are high in their content of soluble fiber. Aim for colorful fruits like apples, oranges, grapes and berries, as well green leafy vegetables, peppers, tomatoes—you get the picture.
A philosophy that the Japanese don’t share with Americans is the clean-your-plate mentality. Instead, they typically eat only until they are about 80 percent full. This helps them to maintain a stable weight, whereas American usually gain a pound per year after turning 30, even when they use some of the best weight loss products available. To put this into practice, trim your serving down from the get-go, and then eat slowly so your stomach has time to signal your brain that it’s full.
Japan’s stronger longevity rate is greatly attributed to the healthier diets and lifestyles of the population in this region. Many medical weight loss centers recommend adopting a similar mindset and meal plan—with an obesity rate of less than four percent, it’s pretty clear that the Japanese can teach us a thing or two. Who knows—perhaps following their lifestyle could eliminate the need for weight loss programs and weight loss products altogether in America.
One of the fundamental elements of the Japanese diet is to begin all of their meals with soup—even breakfast! Miso soup is part of most of their meals—it makes sense because a broth-based soup can help you feel full for longer periods of time, thus decreasing the possibility of overeating. The physicians at our medical weight loss centers agree that soup is an ideal way to start a meal. Perhaps try just starting lunch and dinner with a soup if you can’t stomach it first thing in the morning. Stick to broth-based soups; creamy ones tend to be high in both calories and fat.
Another aspect of the Japanese diet which weight loss clinics recommend is to add lots of color to your plate. The Japanese strive to incorporate five different colors into each meal: red, blue or green, black, white and yellow. By creating a colorful plate, you’re certain to get lots of healthy foods that are high in their content of soluble fiber. Aim for colorful fruits like apples, oranges, grapes and berries, as well green leafy vegetables, peppers, tomatoes—you get the picture.
A philosophy that the Japanese don’t share with Americans is the clean-your-plate mentality. Instead, they typically eat only until they are about 80 percent full. This helps them to maintain a stable weight, whereas American usually gain a pound per year after turning 30, even when they use some of the best weight loss products available. To put this into practice, trim your serving down from the get-go, and then eat slowly so your stomach has time to signal your brain that it’s full.
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