For
years, the USDA and
other organizations have
encouraged Americans to
eat at least 5 servings
of fruits and vegetables
per day but research is
showing that is not
enough. It is time to
look at the
longest-living people in
the world and they can
be found in Okinawa,
Japan.
They have
been shown to have the
lowest rates of cancer
and the healthiest
arteries, sharp minds
and lean, fit bodies.
People in Okinawa eat
predominantly
plant-based foods
that are high in
carbohydrates and low in
calories proven to
support long-term health
and longevity.
Plant-based foods
account for two-thirds
of their diet which
totally exceeds the
USDA’s recommendations
of 5 servings of fruits
and vegetables per day.
Here
are some ways for you to
incorporate the Okinawa
diet to slow down the
aging process:
-
Eat until you are
almost full –
restricting calories
is a proven way to
ultimate health and
vitality because by
eating fewer
calories which
create fewer free
radicals that are
responsible for
inflammation and
damage that causes
aging.
-
Watch your fat and
sugar intake –
flavor dishes with
spices instead of
fats like butter and
use heart-healthy
oils like olive and
canola oil.
-
Start your meals
with soup whenever
possible – you will
tend to eat
twenty-percent less
calories at a meal.
-
Order fish instead
of steak at
restaurants – with
the sauce on the
side and if you must
have dessert, share
it.
-
Build a meal around
fruits and
vegetables instead
of building it
around a protein
source – this will
help double the
recommended servings
of fruits and
vegetables. This
will help reduce
your risk of
developing heart
disease, high blood
pressure stroke,
cancer and obesity.
Add fruit to your
breakfast,
vegetables and salad
to your lunch and
dinner.
-
Choose whole-grains
like amaranth,
barley, bulgur and
brown rice and add
your own spices to
the grains instead
of purchasing the
packaged rice mixes
that are full of
sodium
For
maximum longevity and
weight loss, this is the
best way to slow down
the aging process for a
long, healthy life.
