Many people believe that the Japanese diet is one of the healthiest ways to eat. This may be true – if you are Japanese. However, if we look more closely at this diet, it becomes clear that there are aspects of the modern Japanese diet that may be harmful to health.
Let’s consider this more closely, so you can make the most of your eating choices. If you do want to follow a Japanese or Asian style diet, what are the safety concerns?
First, watch your carbohydrates. What are the staples of the Japanese diet? Carbohydrates!
Consider how frequently the Japanese eat white rice and noodles. Often, these items are eaten at all three meals. For many people, eating this amount of carbs can cause blood sugars to increase and can pack on the pounds.
In some regions of Japan, there is also an issue with low fiber intake. With the carbs (rice, noodles) in most Japanese meals, and the protein that accompanies this (generally fish, chicken or beef), you also should be eating high fiber fruits and vegetables. If you don’t, it can negatively impact your digestive health.
Strangely, modern Japanese are also picking up bad habits from other cuisines and mixing these in with their own more traditional choices. There are heavy French and Italian influences now, with pizza and pastry becoming more frequent food choices. Obviously, just as these foods do elsewhere, in a Japanese diet they encourage blood sugar fluctuations and increased body fat.
Why should you not follow a Japanese diet? Well, unless you are Japanese, it is likely not a good idea. Genetically, the Japanese seem to be able to tolerate a high-carbohydrate diet well, and to metabolize this without problems with insulin or fat. Most Westerners who copy their diet will not be similarly slim and trim because our metabolisms are not designed the same.
You can learn some good diet tricks from the Japanese however, if you take the healthiest parts. The Japanese also eat a lot of fish, and enjoy a wide variety of foods that are often overlooked including sea vegetables and seaweed. These foods are very nutritious and can be beneficial to a weight loss program.
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