Your New Year’s resolution is to have a fit and healthy body, but you have not started yet. We are here to give you a food tip to help you achieve your resolution!
Japan stuck to their secret diet of consuming 30 different foods a day. The statistic in Japan confirmed that the diet gave them the lowest obesity rate of 5% in the developed world. Rate of diabetes in Japan is 2.4 per 100,000 and heart disease rates are 31.2 per 100,000, which is low as compared to countries like the UK.
However, till the heyday of Japanese boom times from 1970 to 1990. A vast variety of Western foods was available, changing the Japanese diet, whereby they consumed more cheese, foie gras, and alcohol. Although the change gave them a better-tasting food, it came with a hefty price, bringing huge risks. Diabetes, heart disease, and obesity became more widespread in the country, and this is when the Japanese attempted to get the diet back.
Back to the main topic, 30 may seem like a vast and unachievable amount, but it is achievable and highly beneficial to the body. There is a total of 5 food categories, and they give different nutritional properties. Hence, balancing these 5 food categories will ensure that you receive the maximum benefits!
#1: Meat, Fish, Poultry, Egg and Tofu Products
Filled with proteins, they are essential to:
- Keep your energy level up
- Blood sugar level is stable
- Promote heart health
- Slow ageing and longevity
Japanese women think that boiled fish is an integral part of their diet because it is considered healthy. Fish contains both Omega-3 and proteins and has low calories, giving a slender physique without the fear of gaining weight from the consumption of fish.
#2: Milk and Dairy Products
Milk and dairy products are high in calcium, vitamin D, proteins and other essential nutrients, and they help to:
- Build and maintain strong bones
- Proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves
Milk products like yoghurt contain probiotics that have an array of benefits too, such as enhancing the good bacteria in the gut, improving health and reducing the risk of diseases.
#3: Vegetables and Fruits
Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals, giving numerous health benefits that are similar to those of green and yellow vegetables.
- Protect against heart disease and specific types of cancers
- Lower heart pressure
- Decrease bone loss
- Helps to lower calorie intake
Japanese women will never leave fruits and vegetables out of their diet, as they are high in antioxidants and help Japanese women have beautiful skin and a healthy body.
#4: Grains, Potatoes, Bread, Cakes and Cookies
With carbohydrates, your body will always have energy! Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy, providing fuel to our brain, kidneys, heart, muscles and central nervous system. Other than that, it has these benefits too:
- Aids in digestion
- Help us to feel full, just like protein!
- Keeping our blood cholesterol levels in check
#5: Cooking Oil, Nut, and Seeds
There are “good” and “bad” fats. Good fats come from food such as unrefined animal fats, fish oil, avocado, olive oil, nuts, and tropical oils. These “good” fats have a high proportion of saturated and monounsaturated fats, together with omega-3s. People often believe that fats will cause weight gain; however, there are considerable benefits to consuming them!
- Better cholesterol ratio
- Gives stronger bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Better body composition
- Better skin and eye health
Now, let’s all stop thinking that fats are bad for the body and start taking notes of the benefits it has!
Food Tip on How to Eat 30 Different Foods a Day in Singapore
- Increase the number of greens consumed – think about where you can add in more vegetables, e.g. salad or soup
- Wide variety of food in your breakfast – milk, whole grains, nuts, yoghurt
- Drink different types of drinks – fruit or vegetable juice, green tea, milk, yoghurt drinks
- Get some snacks – kale chips, different nuts, or even potato chips if you have an intense craving for them!
- Always remember to get fruits along with your meal.
- And now… the realest and best food tip – to have Economy Rice, known as Cai Png, from morning to night!
We hope our food tips can motivate and help you want to eat healthily!
Do you think you are determined enough to eat 30 different foods per day, from the 5 different food categories, to achieve a healthy body?
