Okinawa Diet Review

Okinawa Diet Review - A traditional Asian eating style is irrefutably healthy.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average lifespan of a Japanese citizen is 82 years, while for those in the U.S. it is 78. 

The standout element of the strategy is how it addresses "calorie density."  That's the amount of calories in a given amount of food.  So, a calorically dense food (like bacon) won't give you as much "bang for your buck" as something that could equally fill you up with fewer calories (like tuna).  The diet consists of a relatively low intake of calories , with fish  and other types of marine foods as some of its main staples.

The principal focus of the diet consists of knowing how many calories  per gram each food item contains.  The proponents of this diet divide food into 4 categories based on caloric density.  The "featherweight" foods, less than or equal to .8 calories per gram which one can eat freely without major concern, the "lightweight" foods with a caloric density from 0.8 to 1.5 calories per gram which one should eat in moderation, the "middleweight" foods with a caloric density from 1.5 to 3.0 calories per gram which one should eat only while carefully monitoring portion size and the "heavyweight" foods from 3 to 9 calories per gram which one should eat only sparingly.

The authors of the bestselling books The Okinawa Program and The Okinawa Diet Plan now have an online plan called The Okinawa Diet. In it, they espouse the following key points for healthy living, weight loss and longevity. 

What We Like About this Program People from these Japanese islands of Ryūkyū (of which Okinawa is the largest) is reported to have the longest life expectancy in the world.  This has in part been attributed to the local diet, but also to other variables such as genetic factors, lifestyle, and environmental factors.  The typical Okinawan reaching 110 years of age has had a diet consistently averaging no more than one calorie per gram and has a BMI of 20.4. More importantly the people of Okinawa (including the elders) thrive, living full, vivacious, healthy lives. 

To join the site, the basic membership is $2.98 a week and you can cancel at any time. The Okinawa Diet site recommends a balanced exercise regimen that includes strength and cardio training. The site's health assessment will determine a proper fitness strategy.

What we dislike about this plan There is a big emphasis on soy products. If you are not big on this, this diet is not for you.  In fact if you read the books, there seems to be conflicting facts on how much soy is needed for this plan.  There are also virtually no dairy or meat products on this plan. It also suggests that one stops eating until 80% full. Not all of us are disciplined enough to follow this every important rule.

How Healthy Is This Plan? Natives of this region ofa small group of islands located between Japan and Taiwan live healthy lives.  Heart disease is minimal, breast cancer so rare that screening mammography is not needed, and most aging men have never heard of prostate cancer...the three leading killers in the West--coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer. 

The plan is actually a low caloric diet.  The majority of the diet consists of vegetables, fresh fruits, limited chicken and seafood and soy. You'll eat a combination of the "right" carbs, proteins, fats, fiber and fluids.  You’ll eat heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, found in olive oil, avocado and nuts, and remove unhealthy saturated and trans fat- found in over processed foods and animal fats. The Okinawa Diet has an emphasis on high fiber foods, like the fresh produce and whole grains, and this provides satiety. Finally, you'll remove beverages that are chalked full of sugar like soda and fruit juice and instead drink water and black or green teas.

Here’s The Bottom Line The diet is a suitable plan for someone who would like to have an eating plan that specializes in Eastern cuisine.  The Okinawa Diet website documents success stories, gives you a shopping list generator, email support, and promotes exercise.  Although it might not guarantee you will live to 100, the plan can give you a healthy lifestyle and a healthier you!

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