The traditional Okinawan diet consists of a low calorie intake.
It has been said that there is a tight correlation between the high proportion of Okinawan's over 110 years of age and the relatively low caloric diet. With exception of pork, almost no meat is consumed; virtually no eggs or dairy products are consumed either. The Okinawan's include pork in their every day diets, but will keep the fat content low by boiling it off first.
The 7 Essential Foods Associated With The Okinawan Diet
Organic Fresh Vegetables: Most of their meal consists of
fresh vegetables. The Okinawans eat as many as 8 servings of vegetables and 2 serving of fruit a day. Papaya and sweet potato are among the staple foods in their diet. Other staple vegetables are radish, marrow, onions, carrots, cabbage and leafy greens.
Seaweed or Wakami: Is an antioxidant rich, nutrient and mineral dense food. It's an important part of the Okinawan diet. Seaweed is a staple in japanese quizine .
Soy: This is among the staple food consumed by the Japanese. The studies on
soy are ever changing, but given the longevity of the Japanese, it's safe to say that
soy is good for all.
Whole Grains: The Okinawan diet includes 6 to 8 servings of whole grains daily. Rice and noodles are the staple grains in their diet
Green Tea (Matcha): They drink green tea several times a day. It has been well documented that green tea has a long list of health benefits.
Fish: They consume fish several times a week. Fish high in
EFAs ( Omega 3s), such as
salmon and tuna, common staples in the Japanese diet.
Meat is the lowest consumed staple on their diet: As stated before lean pork is boiled to ensure the majority of the fat is removed from the meat before it's consumed.
Papaya: is also among the staple foods used in many cultures, particularly Japan.
Papain, is the enzyme contained in
Papaya, that breaks down proteins. Papaya is believed to be the only source of papain. Of its many uses, the aiding in digestion is on the top of the list.
Papayas are a rich source of vitamin A and C. A small amount of papaya
can provide 150% of the recommended dietary intake of Vitamin C. Its a good source of potassium, foliate, and fiber.