You have probably wondered how Japanese women maintain their youthful look. Their secret is actually simple – their lifestyle. The food they consume is the reason they stay healthy and age slower.
Here are the 6 things Japanese women do in order to stay young and thin.
What you need to do:
- Drink green tea
Green tea powder is made from high quality leaves which are ground. The green tea powder is mixed with hot water in order to make tea. The consumption of this type of tea is a major part of the Japanese culture.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants which fight free radicals thus slow down the aging process. The antioxidants also have beneficial properties during weight loss.
According to studies you can reduce the risk of cancer and heart diseases by drinking green tea.
- Consume fermented foods
Japanese women consume fermented foods including kombucha, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, kimchi and kefir. During the fermentation process the natural bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the food which results in the formation of lactic acid.
The fermentation preserves the nutrients in the foods and also creates potent enzymes, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics and B vitamins.
Fermented foods help the intestinal friendly bacteria during food digestion and metabolism thus aid with weight loss. They are also excellent for removing toxins and heavy metals from the cells.
- Consume seafood
Instead of red meat which has been linked to numerous health problems such as inflammatory diseases, high cholesterol and obesity, Japanese people consume more seafood.
The most common ingredients in the meals that Japanese people consume are rice, noodles and seafood. Japanese cuisine is full of seafood such as mackerel, shrimp, tuna and salmon.
Fish is rich in high quality protein, numerous essential nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids which make it very beneficial for the health of the brain, heart and many other organs.
- Eat smaller portions
Japanese people use smaller portions. Also, smaller portions look larger on smaller plates which will help you eat less thus lose weight by avoiding excess calorie intake and overeating.
Smaller portions are actually more important than the food you are eating if you are trying to lose weight.
Some of the rules for presenting Japanese food are:
- Not filling the dish completely
- Not serving large portions of any food
- Using fresh foods
- Always garnishing foods and making sure that every food is properly arranged in order to show its natural beauty
Consuming foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids is very beneficial for removing unwanted body fat, particularly abdominal fat. Also, seafood has anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial for the nervous system.
The omega-3 fatty acids are also excellent for maintaining healthy skin. They can prevent various skin conditions such as acne, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Japanese people believe that the healthier the fish the more you benefit from it which is why they serve fish in various ways including raw, grilled, baked, fried, steamed or poached.
- Walking
Japanese people, both men and women, walk a lot. This activity is particularly beneficial for staying thin and fit.
Not only it is good for weight loss but it also relieves stress, increases energy and mood and improves the cardiovascular health.
Since the population in Japan is very concentrated many people travel by train and subway which means they walk or ride bike to the station and back.
Children also walk more instead of being driven to school by their parents.
Besides walking, Japanese people also ride bicycles very often which is another excellent form of exercise.
- Never eat on the road
Japanese people consider the times of consuming food sacred to energize the body and mind. This is why you will never see someone eating on public transport or on the street. Most of them eat slowly which helps the stomach process food thus warn the brain that it is full.
By following these 6 styles of eating and living you might also start to look younger and slimmer just like Japanese women do. It is not so complicated, you only need to be disciplined and be moderate.