Ever wonder why Japan, despite its food obsession, manages to maintain a healthier lifestyle? Join author Yuki Noguchi as we explore how Japanese lifestyle design could teach the U.S. to make healthy living effortless.
Born and raised in the American Midwest, the author shares a deep love for Japan, especially its food culture. Every trip to their parents’ homeland is a culinary adventure that highlights the stark contrast between Japan and the United States when it comes to obesity rates.
What the U.S. Could Learn From Japanese Lifestyle And Make Life Healthier
Japan’s food scene is an obsession for its citizens, with an abundance of fresh and delicious options everywhere you turn. From made-to-order soba noodles with seasonal tempura to mouthwatering sushi and curry rice on train platforms, the variety is staggering.
Department store basements boast specialty foods like marbled meats, miso-pickled vegetables, and handmade gyoza dumplings. Even something as simple as a peach comes meticulously boxed to protect its delicate flesh.
Despite this food-centric culture, Japan’s obesity rate remains remarkably low, standing at 4.5% compared to the U.S.’s staggering 43%. Terry Huang, a health policy professor, attributes this to Japan’s cultural history and its emphasis on health and longevity over convenience and instant gratification.
Traditional Japanese cuisine centers on vegetables, soy products, seafood, and seaweed, promoting a diet high in fiber and good fats. Moreover, Japan’s “default design” promotes healthy living. Cities are densely populated yet safe, encouraging public transportation and more physical activity.
The author’s parents, living in central Tokyo, exemplify this lifestyle, where errands become a form of exercise. During a visit, the author’s fitness tracker recorded an average of over 6 miles of walking per day, a 60% increase from suburban living.
Public transportation is widely available, promoting movement and exercise. This “default design” incorporates healthy habits into daily life, making it less dependent on individual effort.
Japanese lifestyle and cultural emphasis on quality and refinement in food preparation over quantity also contributes to healthier eating habits. Even fast food in Japan, like ramen stalls, prioritizes freshness and nourishment.
Japanese convenience stores, or conbini, offer perfectly portioned and delicious meals, promoting freshness over preservatives. Japanese school lunches, free, scratch-made, and balanced, also play a vital role in fostering healthy eating habits from a young age.
The article concludes by highlighting the challenges faced by the author in the U.S., where prioritizing fresh and healthy eating often feels like a second or third job. The disparities in access, time, and resources underscore the need for societal support for healthy living, not just individual effort.
In a society that embraces design principles for healthier living, the potential for a healthier population becomes a tangible reality.
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