Japanese diet vs American diet

WhisperAnne

It's a fact that America is a big country. And it's easier to get overweight here than in most other countries. I've been wondering..what if Americans went on a Japanese diet? Japan is one of the healthiest countries in the world. They eat a lo of fish veggies and rice and all maintain healthy weight. I'm subscribed to a couple on youtube who live in Japan and the wife is American and when she moved to Japan she lost 20 pounds without trying! so..yeah I would love to eat a Japanese diet. Would you?

neanderthin

It's about overall lifestyle and not necessarily a specific diet.............all diets are better than the SAD diet, so your going to see improvement regardless. Americans would probably binge on tempura anyway and put mayo on everything. j/k

maryc91

it's all the GMO's American foods have!

tegalicious

I have lived in Japan. It all boils down to calories in and calories out. People in Japan don't eat huge servings of food and are pretty active. The cities are fairly congested and people walk and bike a lot. It isn't necessarily the foods they eat that makes them have a healthy weight, it is the fact that they don't eat huge servings of food and don't sit around all day doing nothing while consuming huge portions of food.

MinnieInMaine

Be wary of claims like this. There's no way to know how many calories she was consuming in America vs how many calories she is now consuming in Japan. Also, it's possible her activity level increased. She may not have "tried" but her lifestyle still may have changed in enough ways to make a difference.

Poofy_Goodness

http://superfitdads.com/why-arent-japanese-people-fat/

jdaley90

I have lived in Japan. It all boils down to calories in and calories out. People in Japan don't eat huge servings of food and are pretty active. The cities are fairly congested and people walk and bike a lot. It isn't necessarily the foods they eat that makes them have a healthy weight, it is the fact that they don't eat huge servings of food and don't sit around all day doing nothing while consuming huge portions of food.

^^^This. I used to live in China & it's the same story there.

tegalicious

And seriously. I could eat an entire rice maker of rice in one sitting. And then some veggies on the side and some salmon too. Just because I am eating healthy Japanese style food doesn't mean I can't pack in 4000 calories in one meal.

Escloflowne

it's all the GMO's American foods have!

Hahaha I legitimately LOL



It all has to do with portion control and education, guess which one Americans have too much and too little of when it comes to food!

Phaedra2014

I lived in Europe for years. You don't see as many obese Europeans as you see obese Americans.

1. No drive throughs for food, banks, pharmacies.

2. People walk and use their bicycles to work as well as public transportation, which calls for more walking.

3. Taking an after dinner stroll is normal.

4. Food isn't as cheap as it is in the United States so you don't get a cheeseburger for a buck.

5. People do not eat out as much, and when they do they prefer to eat at decent restaurants not fast food places.

6. Families still cook meals at home.

7. People don't live on an endless supply of candy and chips as they do here.

8. I've never seen people eat a bag of chips with their lunch as people do in the U.S. It boggled my mind when I moved here and saw what a huge part of the day chips and cookies were.

lolagurlx0x0

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food. SOoooooo its not just about the "diet". And they also walk everywhere and use public transportation where the elderly, invalid and pregnant are the first seated and everyone else stands.

Phoenix_Warrior

it's all the GMO's American foods have!

Hahaha I legitimately LOL



It all has to do with portion control and education, guess which one Americans have too much and too little of when it comes to food!

^I second the lol.

jasonpclement

I agree. Its not what they eat, its how much they eat.


Although indirectly, the type of food they eat might be more satisfying. Its really easy to overeat greasy foods, and sugary foods. Try eating 500 calories of white rice vs. 500 calories of Candy.

Or 500 calories of white rice, vs. 500 calories of Pork Fried rice.

I could easily slam 500 calories of candy in the blink of an eye.

SF2514

I agree with the portion and activity level thing. I cook a fair amount of Japanese food (authentic ingredients) and if I were to eat it in "American" proportions a lot of it would be just as unhealthy as any fast food burger.

Phoenix_Warrior

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food. SOoooooo its not just about the "diet". And they also walk everywhere and use public transportation where the elderly, invalid and pregnant are the first seated and everyone else stands.

What? I always believe everything I watch on YouTube. ..

tegalicious

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food.

Ummm.... Most 8 month olds are still eating pureed fruits and veggies. Not McDonalds hamburgers.

lynnmhatcher

I agree, friends of mine from Guam eat smaller amounts and no junk they are small people. Life style is very important. When I move more and eat healthy I lose no matter where I am. Keeping my Head in that mode is the problem!

silver_arrow3

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food. SOoooooo its not just about the "diet". And they also walk everywhere and use public transportation where the elderly, invalid and pregnant are the first seated and everyone else stands.

facepalm

tegalicious

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food. SOoooooo its not just about the "diet". And they also walk everywhere and use public transportation where the elderly, invalid and pregnant are the first seated and everyone else stands.

facepalm

Glad I'm not the only one who had that reaction...

SyntonicGarden

I have lived in Japan. It all boils down to calories in and calories out. People in Japan don't eat huge servings of food and are pretty active. The cities are fairly congested and people walk and bike a lot. It isn't necessarily the foods they eat that makes them have a healthy weight, it is the fact that they don't eat huge servings of food and don't sit around all day doing nothing while consuming huge portions of food.

Having also been to Japan, what we Americans consider a normal portion is usually closer to what the sumo wrestlers eat and yeah, there's a lot more movement. Bicycles were everywhere where I visited. Things like apartments are also smaller, so being "larger" simply doesn't seem to be conducive to their culture.

That, and my experience is that cultures like Japanese (and Chinese) are usually more vocally critical about weight. It's not taboo to comment on it as if you were commenting on a pair of shoes. My Italian relatives tell me I'm too skinny and that I need to eat more. A Chinese relative told me "how fat" I'd gotten (20 lb gain) since last time he'd seen me.

So, yeah, I think it's a combination of the portions AND the culture.

neanderthin

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food. SOoooooo its not just about the "diet". And they also walk everywhere and use public transportation where the elderly, invalid and pregnant are the first seated and everyone else stands.

facepalm

Glad I'm not the only one who had that reaction...

Good thing I'm not an 8 month old baby. lol

tegalicious

I agree. Its not what they eat, its how much they eat.


Although indirectly, the type of food they eat might be more satisfying. Its really easy to overeat greasy foods, and sugary foods. Try eating 500 calories of white rice vs. 500 calories of Candy.

Or 500 calories of white rice, vs. 500 calories of Pork Fried rice.

I could easily slam 500 calories of candy in the blink of an eye.

And here I am... Able to slam down 500 calories of all that food in the blink of an eye. At least I know why I gained weight so quickly lol!!

PeanutButter1999

I have lived in Japan. It all boils down to calories in and calories out. People in Japan don't eat huge servings of food and are pretty active. The cities are fairly congested and people walk and bike a lot. It isn't necessarily the foods they eat that makes them have a healthy weight, it is the fact that they don't eat huge servings of food and don't sit around all day doing nothing while consuming huge portions of food.

Very true! Japanese people do much more activity and have different habits than Americans. I did research on refined sugar and in Japan they don't really have much processed junk. What I noticed is the portion size in all their food seems smaller than Americans portion as well.

tegalicious

I have lived in Japan. It all boils down to calories in and calories out. People in Japan don't eat huge servings of food and are pretty active. The cities are fairly congested and people walk and bike a lot. It isn't necessarily the foods they eat that makes them have a healthy weight, it is the fact that they don't eat huge servings of food and don't sit around all day doing nothing while consuming huge portions of food.

Having also been to Japan, what we Americans consider a normal portion is usually closer to what the sumo wrestlers eat and yeah, there's a lot more movement. Bicycles were everywhere where I visited. Things like apartments are also smaller, so being "larger" simply doesn't seem to be conducive to their culture.

That, and my experience is that cultures like Japanese (and Chinese) are usually more vocally critical about weight. It's not taboo to comment on it as if you were commenting on a pair of shoes. My Italian relatives tell me I'm too skinny and that I need to eat more. A Chinese relative told me "how fat" I'd gotten (20 lb gain) since last time he'd seen me.

So, yeah, I think it's a combination of the portions AND the culture.

Agreed! I remember my Japanese friends asking why my family was so fat. Just blatantly asking that outright. "Why is your mom so fat??". They were genuinely concerned/curious!

The_Enginerd

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food.

Ummm.... Most 8 month olds are still eating pureed fruits and veggies. Not McDonalds hamburgers.

But they were GMO fruits and veggies...

WhiteRabbit1313

It's a fact that America is a big country. And it's easier to get overweight here than in most other countries. I've been wondering..what if Americans went on a Japanese diet? Japan is one of the healthiest countries in the world. They eat a lo of fish veggies and rice and all maintain healthy weight. I'm subscribed to a couple on youtube who live in Japan and the wife is American and when she moved to Japan she lost 20 pounds without trying! so..yeah I would love to eat a Japanese diet. Would you?

I have to agree with the others, on this one, in terms of obesity and reasons for good health. The "Blue Zones," as they're called exist in: Greece, Costa Rica, Japan, Sardinia, and CALIFORNIA. http://www.bluezones.com/live-longer/education/expeditions/. These people are eating better foods, in smaller quantities, and moving more.

I've heard that many of these places eat until they're 80% full, instead of stuffed, like Americans typically do. Meal times are also more social, mindful activities. It's not about getting full and moving on; it's about enjoying the moments and food together. Because they appear to have a healthier relationship with food, they are less likely to associate food with guilt or use it for self-sabotage as those who have an unhealthy relationship with food.

Regardless, for health reasons, adopting a diet closer to those listed above isn't a bad idea, at all, but if you're looking to lose weight from it or cure obesity in America, it really comes down to portion sizes...which are much bigger than many foreign countries.

That's my 2 cents, anyway.

tegalicious

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food.

Ummm.... Most 8 month olds are still eating pureed fruits and veggies. Not McDonalds hamburgers.

But they were GMO fruits and veggies...

My Japanese friends' baby siblings ate imported Gerber baby food purees in Japan.... Just like many American babies..... They didn't die..... Hmmmm

jonnythan

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food.

:laugh:

What on earth.

MelsAuntie

The Japanese eat a lot of smoked and pickled foods, and have a high rate of stomach cancer. True.

navyrigger46

I also watched a youtube video about a baby (8 months old) brought here from japan and put on american food- DIED because of the additives and preservatives we put in our food. SOoooooo its not just about the "diet". And they also walk everywhere and use public transportation where the elderly, invalid and pregnant are the first seated and everyone else stands.

Are you somehow under the assumption that Japan, being a densely populated island produces all the food needed to sustain the Japanese people, and that we here in the US only eat food originating in the US? Our food comes from the same place Japan get's theirs. The fact is that the American diet has become oversized, we have huge portions. Additionally, the Japanese people by and large walk most places, while Americans pretty much drive everywhere. We get less exercise in our daily lives on average, and have all become accustomed to huge portions.

In Summary, I would seriously question what that child actually died of, and I'd want to see the coroners report, because the idea that it was food additives is a bit far fetched.

Rigger

qtgonewild

i don't like any seafood at all. i'd never last.