The Okinawa diet, written by a group of 6 writers is based on the eating habits of the centenarians who live in the Okinawa islands off Japan. These centenarians enjoy the longest life expectancy in the world and the lowest rates when it comes to the incidence of heart diseases and cancers.
The Okinawa diet plan is based on a 25 year study of the Okinawan diet, exercise and lifestyle, and its objective is to help readers mimic the excellent health of the centenarians in Okinawa.
Interestingly, This diet program was voted as having the best recipes among trendy diet plans on MSN.
The Okinawa Diet plan is quite contrary to many of the trend-setting diet plans in the market. Going against the current ‘anti-carb’ drive that has been popularized by many biggies, this is a diet high in ‘good carbohydrates’. The authors suggest that instead of focusing on the carb-content of foods, followers must concentrate on the Glycemic Index of foods. High GI foods are dangerous and must be avoided.
The Okinawa diet plan is an eight-week program for ‘everlasting health’. The plan divides foods into four groups:
- Featherweights
- Lightweights
- Middleweights
- Heavyweights
To lead a happy and disease-free life, your diet must include maximum elements from the first two categories. These include green teas, fresh fruits and vegetables, Omega-3 foods, tofu and soy and good fats.
Followers of this diet are asked to keep away from foods like red meat and foods containing high amounts of trans fat, which belong to the last group.
In order to help followers identify high GI foods, the plan includes the GI values of foods that are commonly used.
The diet plan asks followers to limit their food intake. The plan says that most of the diseases we see today are the direct results of overeating. On an average, the Okinawans eat 500 calories less than other social groups. Hence their excellent health. For a disease free life each person must stop eating as soon as they are 80% full.
Dieters are asked to follow the Okinawans by changing their eating pattern over a period of 8 weeks. When they ease into the eating plan, they are saved from any feelings of deprivation or frustration that they may otherwise feel, when changing long established food habits.
The Okinawa Diet: A Review
Unlike popular diets that take joy in carbohydrate-bashing, this diet permits the intake of carbohydrates that have low GI values. More than a 100 recipes are provided in the book, with both the Western as well as the traditional versions of the recipes.
Pros:
- Based on research and real-life examples
- Optimal nutrition is key. Calorie restriction is important but takes a back seat to nutrition
- Helpful in reducing risk of heart diseases
- A great diet for diabetics
- Recommends a balanced food plan
- Vegetarian options are plenty
- Sustainable in the long term
- More than 160 tasty recipes are included
Cons:
- Overlooks the importance of exercise
- Some of the recipes may be hard on the Western palate
- Following the plan completely might require a dramatic change in existing food habits
In Conclusion
The Okinawa diet plan is a nutritious and satiating diet plan that, if followed, ensures good health and weight loss. However, the diet plan fails to address some of the other important keys to good health and weight loss. For instance, exercise recommendations are not included. This makes the diet plan somewhat incomplete. That said, followers may use this program to structure their foods habits.
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