Less is More for the Okinawans

For the past six years I have explored parts of the world where people live the longest healthiest lives—regions called Blue Zones—and tried to decipher their secrets. When visiting the Okinawa region, it was obvious that the community’s secret was diet.

For the Okinawans, the diet secret is less is more and more is less. A typical Okinawan meal consists of large amounts of vegetables and a piece of protein. Rather then the American version of protein, which is typically an oversized hamburger, the Okinawan’s rely heavily on tofu to provide the proper nutrients. The tofu prepared in this community comes in dozens of varieties and has a more pleasing taste then the American version. Being low in calories, high in protein, rich in minerals, devoid of cholesterol, eco-friendly and complete in the amino acids necessary for human substance, tofu is almost a uniquely perfect food. Tofu contains phytoestrogen, which has been associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, breast and prostate cancer. It is also believed to have a positive effect on older women’s cosmetic appearance.

By living on a diet combining the gifts of tofu with vegetables and fish, the Okinawan’s have been able to stay thinner, look better and live longer then the average American. The lesson: tofu is part of the cross-cultural formula for living longer, better.

Dan Buettner is a world explorer who for the past seven years has been studying the longest lived regions in the world, or Blue Zones. Buettner’s work on longevity and happiness has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America and 20/20. His new book, The Blue Zone, is now available wherever books are sold.