Did you know that Okinawa, Japan has the largest percentage of centenarians, or people living past the age of 100, in the world? People have marveled for years at the high number of people who live long, happy lives in Okinawa, and it seems like we may be able to learn from their advice on how to live longer, healthier lives ourselves. As always, check with your doctor before changing your diet. Here are some interesting things from seniorlivingmag.com.
- Choose nutrient dense foods. Leafy greens and nutritious vegetables are low in calories but high in nutrition. Okinawans tend to eat lots of vegetables, small amounts of fish, whole grains, and soy-based foods, and almost no meat, dairy or eggs.
- Eat less food in general. According to some research, Okinawans eat on average 40 percent less food than typical North Americans.
- Stop eating when you are about 80 percent full. Wait for 20 minutes, then reassess if you are still hungry. The stomach needs about 20 minutes to communicate to your brain how full it really is. Stay mindful of how full you feel and you may find yourself consuming less food!
Drawing from the example of the people in Okinawa, Japan, researchers in North America have found that healthy calorie restriction may help to extend lifespans. Don’t attempt to make any big changes on your own, as your doctor knows best what you need to maintain your health. But if you are interested in finding other ways to improve your retirement living, look no further than Tealridge Assisted Living and Memory Care retirement community. Contact us here for more information.
