Stay Young & Slim with the Chopstick Diet
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If you want to stay young, fit and slim there is one diet to be followed, the Japanese chopsticks diet!
Haven't you ever wondered why Japanese women live longer and are mistaken for 20-year-olds and above all, keep their girlish figures - even when they are 40? The Japanese chopstick diet is the secret of all the above and more!
It has been proved that following the principles of Japanese home-style cooking and healthy habits can make a dramatic difference to your health and shape. Here are the secrets of the Japanese kitchen, just follow them and you will surely feel and see the difference. |
Fish - Japanese people eat around 69kg of fish per person each year. That's more than four times the average of the rest of the world. Cutting back on meat and replacing it with fish will decrease your risk of heart disease. Oily fish are full of Omega 3 oils which are good for your skin and have been proven to help children learn.
Soya - The Japanese eat ten times more soya products that any other nation. It's low in fat and calories and high in protein. The low incidence of breast and colon cancer in China and Japan has been partially attributed to the high consumption of soya products as research shows it to has anti-carcinogenic properties.
Fresh Fruit & Vegetables - As with all diets ? a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially leafy greens is a must. Try and pick fruit and vegetables that are in season.
Variety - Your body will benefit from a wider range of nutrients following the Chopstick Diet due to the variety of food. In a study, elderly Japanese women were found to eat 100 different foods a week, compared to only 30 for a woman following an average Western diet.
Small Portions & Chopsticks - Japanese food portions like sushi, are bite-sized, compared to Western portions. Eating with chopsticks should slow down the speed of consumption, giving you time to savour your food. On average it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to register that it's full. Eating more slowly means that you're less likely to overeat.
Light cooking techniques - Light cooking techniques include steaming, pan-grilling, simmering and stir-frying over a high heat. This helps to preserve more of the food's nutrients including anti-aging antioxidants.
Power Breakfasts - A typical Japanese breakfast includes green tea (which is believed to be full of antioxidants), steamed rice, miso soup (research has suggested that eating three bowls of miso soup a day could reduce the risk of breast cancer). It also includes a small omelette or piece of grilled salmon. This is a great start to the day as all foods are packed with nutritional benefits.
Sweet Treats - Japanese women are renowned for their sweet tooth. Their secret is that they don't over indulge. They do eat desserts and chocolate, but less regularly and in smaller portions. Like many diets, it's fine to treat yourself to something that you like - just don't over do it.
Informal Exercise -It's not just the diet that keeps Japanese women looking great and living longer. People walk or cycle everywhere. The 10,000 steps a day programme was first popularised in Japan 40 years ago. The British Heart Foundation in the UK has recently embraced the programme saying that 10,000 steps a day can give you a healthy heart and reduce body fat.
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