Here is one thing that has kept Westerners scratching their heads - why are Asians generally fit? Specifically, why don't Japanese people get fat? With the exemption of Sumo Wrestlers, the bodies of Japanese people are, in general, healthy looking, even ectomorphic in some respects.
What is their secret?--Perhaps the Okinawa Diet.
Okinawa Diet is a commercially available diet that is patterned after the traditional eating behaviors of old people of who inhabit the Okinawa Islands.
These people are reputed for having very long lifespan, very low heart disease incidence (at 80% or less) and very low cancer rate of 50%.
People who follow the traditional Okinawa Diet benefit from these on top of having a rather high chance of staying lean throughout their lives.
As a weight-loss plan, this diet gives heavy emphasis on the density of calories contained in foods.
There are four food groups, which includes featherweight, lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight foods.
As their names suggest, these food are categorized according to how light or heavy they are in terms of calorie content.
Featherweight foods are naturally lowest in calorie.
These include green tea and vegetables such as asparagus.
Lightweight and middleweight foods are moderately packed with calories.
They are standard fares such as brown rice, lean red meat, fish and hummus.
Heavyweights are where so-called sinful foods are categorized, which include desserts and deep-fried foods.
Having said these, the diet advocates regular consumption of featherweight and lightweight foods.
Do not be mistaken though as it is not purely focused on restricting calorie intake.
Instead, it gives more emphasis on eating foods that have low calorie density yet possess high nutritive value.
Okinawa Diet is restricted in such a way that it prevents urges to overeat.
According to the principles of this diet, a participant must only be 80% full after each meal.
It is, however, acceptable to eat more after 20 minutes to satisfy hunger and to prevent binge eating.