What is the Okinawa Diet

Okinawa Diet

Could it be the secret to a long and healthy life? Instead of finding the elixir of youth, the researchers realized that the unique Okinawa diet helped slow the aging process. The Okinawa diet describes the eating habits of people on Okinawa, one of the largest islands in Japan, that contribute to their longevity. In addition, the Okinawa diet is the name of a weight loss diet based on this diet. Research shows that people in Okinawa can lead an average of 100 years of healthy and productive lives. The long lifespan of people in Okinawa is associated with their diet. People around the world are taking advantage of the health benefits of the nutritious and low-calorie Okinawa diet. So how is the Okinawa diet done? What to eat and what not to eat in the Okinawa diet? Keep reading to learn more.

How to Do the Okinawa Diet?

While the traditional Okinawa diet is low in calories and fat, it is high in carbohydrates. In recent years, thanks to the changes made in the diet, the protein and fat content has also been increased. The diet also includes many herbs and spices that have health benefits, such as turmeric in traditional Chinese medicine. Plant foods make up 90 percent of the Okinawa diet. The Okinawa diet limits meat, dairy, grains, saturated fat, sugar, salt, and processed foods. In fact, it determines how the Okinawa diet should be done, which food groups we can consume in our diet and which foods we can restrict.

What to Eat on the Okinawa Diet

Many of the benefits of the Okinawa diet can be attributed to the fact that it contains rich, nutritious and antioxidant foods. Unlike other Japanese, Okinawans eat very little rice. Instead, the main sources of calories are sweet potatoes, whole grains, legumes and fiber-rich vegetables. Foods that can be eaten on the Okinawa diet include;

Vegetables: Vegetables such as sweet potatoes (orange and purple), seaweed, bamboo shoots, daikon radish, bitter melon (goya), cabbage, carrots, Chinese okra, shiitake mushrooms, pumpkin and green papaya make up more than 60 percent of the diet.
Grains: Grains such as millet, wheat, rice and noodles make up about 30 percent.
Soy products: Foods such as tofu, miso, natto, and edamame are consumed at about 5 percent.
Meat and seafood: Mostly fish and seafood are consumed, while red meat is consumed in lesser quantities.
Other foods: shikuwasa, known as Okinawa lemon, herbal tea and spices.
Jasmine tea is consumed in abundance in this diet, and antioxidant-rich spices such as turmeric are also commonly used.

What Can’t Be Eaten on the Okinawa Diet?

The Okinawa diet can be quite restrictive compared to many diets. Therefore, to follow the diet, you need to consume the following food groups in moderation. Foods to avoid on the Okinawa diet include:

Meats: Beef, poultry and processed products such as bacon, ham, salami, hot dogs, sausages, and other processed meats can be consumed in minimal quantities.
Animal products: Eggs and dairy products, including milk, cheese, butter and yogurt, can be consumed in very small quantities.
Processed foods: Refined sugars, breakfast cereals, snacks and processed foods should be avoided.
Grains: Occasionally consume white rice and noodles, while avoiding other grains.
Legumes: Most legumes are not consumed except soybeans.
Other foods: Most fruits, nuts and seeds can be consumed to a limited extent.
The Okinawa diet is known as a low-calorie, carbohydrate-rich diet. However, how is the Okinawa diet done? You should be conscious of calorie consumption while applying the Okinawa diet rather than a question. Calorie intake is based on many factors, including your gender, body size, and activity level.