Okinawa is an island located south of mainland Japan and is known as the site of the largest US military amphibious operation during World War II. Today, it is better known as the source of the "Okinawa Diet" — a simple but effective weight loss program. The Okinawan diet is all about eating lots of plant-based foods, which include lots of tofu and locally grown vegetables.
This eating plan also prescribes eating a variety of fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, seaweed, and other organic products that are high in protein, rich in calcium, and low in fat. In fact, it is not uncommon to find Okinawan who are at least 100 years old. The island has been recognized as the island with the largest number of centenarians in the world.
To this day, the incidence of heart disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer is still rare on the island. The growing problem of overweight and obesity in the United States has made the Okinawan diet very appealing. Many overweight people have tried taking a diet pill to minimize hunger pangs while reducing food intake. Other diet pill formulas work by preventing the body from absorbing fat, most of which comes from fatty meats.
Since most Okinawan's rarely eat meat, gaining weight is not a problem. It is very unusual to see obese or chubby Okinawan's. Most of them have retained the short but slender physical appearance of their ancient ancestors, who were mostly hardy fishermen and farmers. The key to the effectiveness of the Okinawan diet is a philosophy best described by the phrase "food as tonic, food as medicine." Islanders were heavily influenced by the food culture of China, Korea, and mainland Japan—all of which emphasized the medicinal and therapeutic value of certain food groups. In many Okinawan homes, the mother or the person who prepared the food usually serves the food saying, eat this, please.
My body feels good. Food is like medicine. In addition to eating healthy, Okinawan also lead a very active lifestyle. The islanders, young and old, practice martial arts, engage in folk dancing and tend their own gardens.
These activities give them the opportunity to sweat and release toxins from the body. By being active, they are able to improve their cardiovascular health. Many centenarians in Okinawa practice karate and a traditional dance called odors because they see these activities as sources of Kali, or a sense of purpose. Unlike their Western counterparts, Okinawan senior citizens maintain personal care through individual exercise while remaining physically active in their community.
For example, in the United States, it is not uncommon to see seniors in nursing homes leading comfortable but sedentary lives. Inactive lifestyles and foods high in fat and carbohydrates have contributed to the rise of heart disease and other illnesses in many Americans. While not all Americans have the desire or discipline to follow the Okinawan diet, weight control can still be done with the help of a doctor or health professional.
In addition to joining a gym, people who need to lose weight can talk to their doctor about prescription diet pills that can help reduce appetite and prevent fat absorption. Many products on the market claim to be "the best diet pills". Weight Watchers should get information from their doctor or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about safe and effective weight loss product lines. Only FDA-approved diet pills should be purchased and consumed, as many unproven products are now openly sold, although the safety of these items remains questionable.
People who are serious and determined to lose weight should study the benefits of the Okinawan diet as well as other diet programs. While living to 100 may not be an attainable goal for many Americans, it's never too late to turn away from unhealthy eating habits. Like the people of Okinawa, many Americans today must return to a healthy and active lifestyle, which means eating the right foods in the right amounts; and by being passionate about an art, activity or event that can give them their own meaning in life.
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