BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Japanese Food It's true--Japanese food IS healthier!

Japanese researchers now have evidence to back a long-held claim--the traditional low-fat, fish-based diet of the Japanese really IS healthier than the average American fare!

The researchers fed mice freeze-dried meals of typical foods found in both cultures: burgers and fried chicken for the Americans, and sashimi and rice for the Japanese.

They found that the genes that activate the breakdown of fat and cholesterol were 1.5 times more active in mice that ate the sashimi and rice, while the "American" mice had cholesterol levels 10 percent higher than the "Japanese" mice.

More studies will be needed to confirm these results in humans--but I'm glad I decided to have sushi for lunch today! <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />

i also think they are..i love sushi!

I recommend a book "Japanese Women Don't Get Old Or Fat". She has recipes and cooking tips and it's an easy read. I try to cook Japanese at least one night a week now and I feel healthier for doing it.

I wish I could eat sushi every day but unfortunately I only want it on rare moments and then I absolutely have to have it-- wish I could chow down on it more though;)

Here's one more vote 4 japanese is healthier.

Except it's sometimes really salty isn't it? So sometimes Japanese can get heart problems. My japanese pal, is always nagging her hubby not to put so much salt in his food (cause we know miso, etc. is naturally salty) because he does have a health problem -- and he gets very ticked off at her.

Anyway, I think it's good for us. Once in a while I like to make gyoza using vegetarian quorn mince instead of pork or beef. I also like to make the boiled veggie dish (forgot the japanese name) with daikon, carrots, potatoes, seaweed in a broth of mirin, shoyu and sometimes I add a bit of veggie broth as well.
Has anyone been to Wagamama's? It's fantastic. They're all over the world now. The food is healthy, uses no MSG, reasonably priced as well. I recommend it highly!

I could talk (write?!) about Japanese food all day!

[color:"purple"] Health, Good Luck and Luv to all! [/color] <img src="/images/graemlins/fish.gif" alt="" />

My family LOVES to make Japanese dishes at home. (Though we live in Tennessee, my parents have previously lived in Tokyo and Kyoto.)

Sushi is great fun for us all to collaborate on and we have sushi 3 to 4 times per week for either lunch or dinner. Since we have started this, we have found that we seek out fresher vegetables and certainly, fresher fish/beef.

Japanese cuisine as we prepare it is definitely healthier than the typical, fast food diet of many Americans.

I love Japanese food but am trying to understand why researchers would feed mice beef.

I was just reading about the world's oldest woman who happens to be Japanese. The previous record holder was a Japanese man. They must be doing something right! What else do the Japanese eat besides fish?? Unfortunately for me I don't like it. How do they cook the rice so that it's healthy?

I tried Japanese foods 7 years ago in indonesia. they were healthier but not delicious I think. fish was a bit crude and rice was no any salty/spicy and oil, just water boiled. I saw that foods were so delicious for Japanese people.

I love Japanese food and also read that same book mentioned. The only thing is if you are on a sodium restricted diet, it can be high in salt.