The fashion of Japanese cuisine has increased considerably in recent years. It is becoming easier to find a great gastronomic offer with a variety of typical dishes from this country. They are delicious and we are convinced that you have ever tried one of these exquisite delicacies, but do you know if Japanese food makes you fat?
Japanese food makes you fat in Spain, but not in Japan
How is it possible that Japanese food is fattening if the citizens of the Japanese country are extremely thin and also very long-lived? According to the 2020 Bloomberg index for healthier countries, the first place is occupied by Spain, while Japan is in the fourth place. Here factors such as pollution levels, sanitary system and drinking water in good condition are taken into account. But if we go to gastronomy, according to the latest data we have been able to obtain, Japan is in fourth place and Spain in eighth.
Even so, our country manages to be on the list of countries with a healthy diet. We couldn’t expect less from the Mediterranean diet! But the traditional Japanese cuisine is above us. And it is that in Japan very strict customs are followed that apply, in general, to the daily life of Japanese citizens.
For example, there it is monitored that the diet is balanced, varied and moderate. If we compare the Japanese diet with the Mediterranean diet, we discover that in Japan they eat a lot of seaweed, soybeans and steamed fish. They also follow a precept of Confucianism Hara Hachi Bu : eat until you are 80% full; something that, without a doubt, we do not do in Spain.
So Japanese food is fattening in Spain, but not in Japan. Basically because the Japanese know how to eat “little”, while the Spanish, sometimes, we have no limit. Hence, if you go to buy sushi you will find trays overflowing with this delicious and addictive Japanese dish. And yes, we are sure that you have only eaten one of these trays, without regrets, because “as it is Japanese” it does not make you fat. Error!
The basis of the Japanese diet
Obviously, there are dishes that are more fattening than others and the Japanese know it, that’s why small portions are served. In addition, in this country they do not usually consume a lot of meat and their diet is based on fruits, vegetables, fish and a lot of rice. But, as if that weren’t enough, the Japanese have something that the Spanish don’t: patience.
It is well known that eating slowly helps digestion, but it also educates the brain not to eat more than necessary. And it all comes down to the use of chopsticks to eat. With this, the portions that a Japanese man puts in his mouth are few and, moreover, slowly. This helps to ingest only what is necessary.
And eating habits also play a role. In Japan, breakfasts are abundant and dinners are rare and early. In Spain, on the contrary, dinners are sometimes copious and within hours (or minutes) of going to bed. In conclusion, Japanese food does not make you fat: it is the eating habits that are followed in Spain that make you gain weight.
The Japanese diet
Demystifying sushi
Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish in the world, but Japanese people don’t spend all day eating sushi. And, as you already know, there are different types of sushi. Sashimis, makis and nigiris. Sashimis are the cut of raw fish; nigiris are rice with a strip of raw fish on the surface. For their part, the makis (the delicious makis!) Are those rice rolls, wrapped with seaweed and filled with different ingredients.
Admit it: your favorites are salmon, avocado and Philadelphia, better known as California Rolls. But… do you really think an Okinawan neighbor is going to put cream cheese on the makis for dinner? Adding ingredients typical of Western cuisine to Japanese dishes is another reason why Japanese food makes you fat , even if it’s the extras and not the Japanese recipe itself.
Another big problem is fusion restaurants. As well, you know now there are mixtures of Japanese food with Latin American and we find exquisite aberrations of breaded sushi everywhere. Say no to batter! Remember that tempuras already have a touch of frying that makes them more caloric. If you have to choose, always choose the sashimi.
Sushi is not a caloric food as long as it is not accompanied by sauces and dressings such as cream cheese and other “inventions”. Forget the California Rolls; although they are very rich, they are fattening.
More seaweed please
Algae? Yes, you know that in Japan they tend to eat everything that comes out of the sea and seaweed is no exception to the rule; they are an obligation. It is true, a priori algae are not very rich. But we tell you that they are an excellent source of fiber, iron, calcium and vitamins, despite their bitter taste. One of the algae that we invite you to try is wakame, which is believed to have anticancer properties.
If the seaweed does not go with you, we invite you to consume it as a starter to your succulent plate of sushi. As a curious fact, we tell you that the so fashionable poké bowl is not Japanese but Hawaiian. So be careful. Of course, if you want to order a poké bowl, we invite you to include the wakame seaweed as an accompaniment. You’ll love it!
Miso soup
Miso soup is an ideal dish for winter days and nights. Nothing like a warm, low-calorie food to rebuild the body! Miso soup, very typical in Japan, is prepared based on miso (a paste that you can easily find in the supermarket) and a dashi (fish) broth.
In Tokyo, the capital of Japan, the soup is called omi otsuke or miso juice. If you want a very consistent broth, you can prepare the soup with aka-miso, a red and salty pasta. Now, for something softer (and that we recommend) the shiro-miso, white and low in salt.
The miso soup is also prepared with wakame seaweed, leeks and chives, as well as vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and cabbage. In Japan, in addition, they usually add tofu. Of course, miso soup is never eaten alone as a single dish; It serves as an accompaniment to sushi and also to white rice. In addition, it is recommended to relieve cold symptoms. You will be surprised to know that in Japan it is common for breakfast!
Ramen at noon
That Japanese food makes you fat becomes a total lie if you eat following the habits of the inhabitants of this country. Among their dishes we have ramen. This is prepared based on noodles accompanied by a broth made from pork or chicken bones, as well as vegetables. It is served with pork, nori seaweed and chives.
Wine and beer vs green tea
In Spain we usually accompany food with wine, beer or soft drinks. But, did you know that the favorite drink of the Japanese is green tea? In Japan, green tea is essential and they use it for breakfast and even to accompany their meals. Something that certainly does not happen in Spain.
In our country many eat with water, but many others do it with beer and wine; Maybe you would like to switch to green tea for its antioxidant and fat burning properties. In addition, this infusion is good for preventing cardiovascular diseases and even improving physical and mental performance.
