The Japanese are the nation of long-livers. They look much younger and seldom suffer from obesity. Their secret is very simple – eat everything different, several times a day, but in little quantities.

The basis of the Japanese diet is fish and seafood, rice, soya and vegetables. Actually, these products are the secret of the Japanese youth and fitness. Why are they so useful? Let’s make it clear right now!

Fish and seafood

The Japanese cuisine is famous for abundance of seafood and fishes - islanders consume nearly 10 thousand kinds of sea inhabitants. People of the land of the Rising Sun prepare them using minimum thermal processing. Thanks to it the considerable quantity of useful substances remains in meal. For this reason Japanese love raw fish (for example, sashimi).

One of the main advantages of fish and seafood is Omega-3 fat acids. They prevent formation of blood clots in vessels and thus reduce risk of heart attacks. Therefore Japanese much more rarely than Europeans suffer from cardiovascular diseases, and this affects their life expectancy.

Fish and seafood are most suitable dietary food. Their protein is the most easily digestible from all the known and they contain all necessary amino acids and microelements.

Rice

Rice is one more basic product of the Japanese cuisine. Japanese eat it, figuratively speaking, for dinner, for supper, and sometimes even for breakfast - 2-3 times a day in small portions. Inhabitants of the land of the Rising Sun treat rice like Europeans treat bread. That is why the thought that it is possible to eat rice with bread (as Europeans sometimes do) is hard to believe for the Japanese.

Rice was much spoken about in previous articles. It is useful to remind only that it is strong absorbent thanks to which the organism is clear from salts, harmful substances and chemical waste. In other words, this cereal is a unique "broom" for an organism (this property of rice, by the way, is a basis for every possible rice diets) that promotes a rejuvenation of the person.

Soya

The soya is extremely popular among the Japanese. That is why, actually, it enters into a composition of good part of dishes. The boiled soybeans are good for garnish, they are the main product from which the Tofu cheese (unfermented soya-bean curd, a food with a soft cheese-like consistency made from soya-bean milk) and soya milk are prepared, bean paste is a good basis for soups, and soya sauce is perfect to dress rice.

Soya contains vitamins from group B, and also vitamins D and Å – so-called "youth vitamins".

Another pro for soya is that it is less caloric than meat, but is very close to it by amino-acid structure. It has the same nutritive value, but without superfluous calories.

Vegetables

The Japanese prefer seasonal vegetables. The same is with other products. For example, they eat seasonal fish. Besides, they try to consume their own grown, not imported vegetables. And the Japanese cut them so that they are quickly prepared. Then they remain more useful substances.

Vegetables contain considerable quantity of cellulose that promotes digestion. Minerals and vitamins from vegetables prevent many illnesses that can prematurely launch into eternity.

To prolong life and youth, experts advise to consume not less than 400 grams vegetables per day. The Japanese, you know, eat more.

The less – the better

Small portions of meal – this is one of secrets of slenderness for the Japanese. In addition that all dishes are light and contain maximum of useful substances, they also are measured in such a way that it is impossible to be fully stuffed. Therefore the Japanese do not have obesity epidemic, as, for example, in Great Britain. And a variety of dishes of inhabitants of the country of blossoming cherry trees is overwhelming. By the way, this is one of rules of healthy nutrition.

Moreover, the Japanese eat with sticks. This allows eating only small amounts of meal, and as a result, chewing it properly. That is why the Japanese have problems with a gastrointestinal tract less often, than we do, as we stuff our mouth with the help of a spoon.

Have Yin? Add Yan!

According to the Japanese philosophy, all products are divided into those that have energy of Yin and that with Yan. As it is already known, Yin and Yan identify the female and male origins. The balance of these two energies in organism is responsible for health of the person. Therefore the Japanese dishes are prepared so that this balance must not be broken.

For example, sushi - truly speaking, rice with fish. Rice has the energy of Yan, and the tuna, for instance, carries the energy Yin. In a combination these products give the energy balance.