Have you watched Miso Hungry!? I talked about this documentary back in 2019 when it was on SBS, but recently it has been added to Amazon Prime! It’s an amazing watch to learn about traditional Japanese lifestyle and its positive impact on health and wellbeing!
In the documentary, Miso Hungry, Craig Anderson goes on a 2-week trip to Japan and learns about the traditional Japanese diet and lifestyle!
It is about an actor/ filmmaker who had terrible eating habits and made poor choices, leading to a rapid decline in his health. He went to Japan for 2 weeks to learn about healthy Japanese food and adopt a more traditional lifestyle. Since this experience and practicing what he learnt, he has never felt better!!!
It is so amazing that he lost 25kg by eating Japanese foods daily, and he even talks about in his interview that the foods he ate also had many health benefits!!!
You can check out his interview from 7 Things I Learned from Japanese eating on the way to losing 25 kilos
So what did he learn after his Japanese trip?
1. Traditional doesn’t always mean healthy
He said that, ‘Noodles, curry dishes, tempura, and delicious okonomiyaki are all healthy if eaten in once every few days”
I am so glad he said this because it is true! A good example is the popularised Katsu curry (traditional Japanese dish) in Australia. It is so high in fat, sodium, sugar, and MSG, which can contribute to weight gain and other unhealthy effects!
He also mentioned that tempura and noodles are not good to eat every day, however, it can be healthier when made at home. This is what I do, teaching how to cook yummy foods in a healthier way so you can get all the health benefits
Katsu cutty is a popular Japanese dish (originated in other countries but has been Japanised) that is now getting popular in Austalia, but it can be high in fat, sodium, sugar and MSG; very unhealthy!
2. The biggest contributing factor to weight loss was having a set menu
He said ”Even though Japan is considered one of the healthiest nations on earth, I think the biggest contributing factor was having a set menu”
Sticking with the same traditional food/ ingredients is best if you want to gain all the health benefits! If you look at the food I post on my Instagram, it mostly looks like a ”set menu”; I have many side dishes with the same ingredients
This makes the meal balanced, but you would probably think that making so many little dishes every day is unachievable, but so do I!
Traditionally, we make veggie side dishes called ”Jyobi sai” which lasts a week and can easily be prepped. I even teach in my cooking class, how to make some of Jyobi sai !!!!
Looks hard to prepare? Not really; Three items are store bought (I just opened the packet), everything else can be pre-cooked! Or just cut (avocado). Yes, I eat avocado with wasabi and soy sauce ?It’s very yum!
3. He loves Natto, Konnyaku and is a green tea junkie ever since his Japan trip
These are my top favourite Japanese superfoods that are the secret to Japanese longevity. He says he is lucky he likes natto, and I totally agree. Opinions about it vary among many people due to its unique smell and taste. I use Natto for my superfood sushi class and some people hate and some people love it.
Konnyaku is my saviour for weight loss and neutralises my acidic blood after bingeing on special occasions. It is one of the HIGHEST ALKALINE FOODS!
Natto, Konnyaku, and green tea (Matcha green tea is more beneficial than green tea!) are my favourite Japanese Superfoods that are so alkalising (They prevent diseases as well as the production of fat cells; which is good for weight loss. I use all these foods in my cooking classes!!!
DO YOU NEED HEALTHY COOKING INSPIRATIONS?
Do you know I run a cooking school in Sydney?
You don’t live in Sydney?
– Online Course
I run online Japanese cooking courses! but I open the course 3 times a year. So if you want to be notified, just drop your email address HERE
– Plant Based Cookbook
You can grab my vegan cookbook “Japanese superfoods“
If you want to cook more easy and tasty Japanese vegan meals using Japanese superfoods – real key for Japanese health, grab my latest edition Now!
