I have lived in Japan and despite most Japanese being able to keep their weight under control, I just kept gaining and gaining over two years finally leaving 10-12 lbs heavier - which I lost after I returned to the US. It's true that the Japanese eat rice 3 times a day - and I have given up eating my beloved Japanese short grain rice for low carb - BUT the Japanese diets compensates for the high carb rice by including lots of fish and seafood (including seaweeds) wild foods like ferns, wild yams and mushrooms, a low amount of meat and dairy products (and the ones they do eat are very high quality/very expensive - best yogurt I have ever had was made locally in Japan. Oh yeah and wonderful ice cream and Japanese beef - YUM!)
The Japanese eat in small qauntities, and typically have 3-5 different dishes in every meal. For lunches, they often have small boxes with compartments to include separate items (have you heard of bento boxes?) and what your mom or wife makes for your bento is a big deal , and will probably come under public scrutiny. Indeed bento blogs are a big hit in Japan - This Bento blog one is incredible, click on the pictures for more details on that lunch - but I digress....
I find it interesting that a number of Americans are trying to maintain not just a western diet in Japan, but a low carb one. It's not impossible, but means you are limited in what you can eat or afford for ship in. Wondering how ex-patriots are doing for LC-ing in other countries too? That is coming in the next post.
PS. What do the Japanese do to lose weight? Why they switch from eating rice to bread, heh. And wonderful, thick fluffy white bread at that!
Comments