Whether you prefer sushi or teriyaki chicken, it’s easy to fall in love with Japanese food. In addition to delicious meals, the cuisine also offers some insight into healthy living. If you’re hoping to improve your diet, use the following three tips to inform your habits.

3 Healthy Eating Tips From Japanese Culture

1. Don’t Wait Until You’re Stuffed

The people of Okinawa, Japan, live by a custom called hara hachi bun me, an ancient concept from Confucian philosophy. The phrase means, “Eat until you are eight parts full,” meaning 80% of your maximum appetite.

Since the brain takes a bit of time to realize when your stomach is full, this dietary trick might help keep you from overeating. More often than not, you’ll feel 100% full after waiting around 10 minutes. 

2. Sip on Tea

It’s easy to confuse thirst for hunger, which is why many dieticians suggest drinking a glass of water before reaching for a snack.

In Japanese culture, people focus on staying hydrated by enjoying hot green tea or cold barley tea. Not only will drinking these liquids with your meals make you feel more full, but they also offer some significant health advantages. Green tea is proven to reduce inflammation, which can minimize your risk of heart disease, while barley tea contains essential vitamins and helps ease digestion.

3. Focus on Whole Foods

In America, shelves are stocked with processed snacks, desserts, and even some foods which appear to be “healthy.” In Japan, longevity is often attributed to a high intake of whole, unprocessed foods, like raw fish, sweet potatoes, and soybean soup. These dishes tend to be high in nutrients—such as the omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish like salmon—and lacking in preservatives or genetic modification.

If you’re hoping to reap the benefits of this cuisine, head to Kawamoto Store of Hilo, HI, for high-quality Japanese food. From fresh sushi to nori chicken, this eatery will have something to satisfy your taste buds and health goals. They’ve fed Big Island residents and visitors for over 70 years, and they also serve Filipino and Chinese food. To learn more about their offerings, visit the website, or call (808) 935-8209 to ask about their Japanese food catering options.