[bejiita]

Consequently, the fatter you get, the deader you get.

[kamome]

Yeah, I have to say that it's actually harder to find healthy foods in Japan than in the States. Why? When you go out to restaurants in Japan, the "salads" are usually nothing more than shredded cabbage or perhaps a tomato, at 500 yen (about US$5) or more a pop. A terrible value and not very healthy. You can't make a meal out of a salad in Japan.

And fruits and vegetables are much more expensive here than in other countries. Everyone has heard of the 10,000 yen melon, but even the more mundane veggies are higher in price than in the States.

Combine that with the fact that there are lots of fatty, fried foods in the Japanese diet: tempura, croquet, ramen, any bento you buy at a conbini, etc., and the higher-than-average amount of alcohol consumption in Japan, and it's easy to see why an affordable Japanese diet can be deceivingly unhealthy.

I'm constantly struggling to keep the fat content down and the fiber content up in my diet, with varying degrees of success and failure.

[AssKissinger]

It's ironic because traditional J-food is so healthy. Plus it's delicious and beautiful. The set up of a traditional meal in Japan is in my opinion the most beautiful in the world. On the other hand, the greasiest, fattiest oiliest food I ever ate has been right here in Japan. And that's saying something cause I'm from Georgia (USA not Soviet, don't worry I'm not Evil Pongi). Like, I've had ramen that wasn't nothin' but a bowl of melted lard and the fried chicken in the super markets? You couldn't even sell that shit at the Korean owned markets in downtown Atlanta! People would be like, 'You tryin' to give me a heart attack'. Even in soul food places they drip off some of the grease. This shit here is shameless.

[cstaylor]

Yeah, the way I look at it is: "If you want to buy, they sell it in Japan"

[Andocrates]

It's one of the many Japanese Paradox' they claim there food is so much more healthy then Western food, but it's sooo greasy and often disturbing. One day I say this girl eating Japanese Gummi worms and she said to me in all honesty "Japanese sweets don't make you fat like American sweets."

Corn Syrup is corn syrup no matter what language you speak. Then they love to say Americans are fat because we drink cokes, while they slurp down greasy soba. The fact is they walk way more then we do, and they (used to) eat less. Their food was never all that healthy to begin with. Same with Chinese food. Eat all you want but don't blame America if you get fat.

Plain rice and a piece of broiled fish is good for you, but who eats that anymore? A cup of miso soup has about 800MG of salt.

[DJEB]

Fat ain't phat!

[GomiGirl]

I can't wait until the trend of fat-free stuff arrives in Japan. Just to give an option at the combini for us single working lasses. I rarely have time to cook for myself.

But agree with Kamome that salads in Japan are woeful.

[Marvin Feltcher]

This is a topic kinda close to my heart (too bloody close, actually).
It's funny, just yesterday I told my missuz that the Japanese are becoming lardasses. Having been sequestered away for most of the past year, I've really noticed it recently when I have gone out.
Sure, Japanese lasses now have asses where they didn't before, but they're not nice butts, they're fat and sloppy. And they've got bigger tits, too, but usually a nice gut underneath to hold them up.
I think the average Japanese lifestyle means the country's sitting on an obesity time bomb -- everybody wants to live close to the station, they lay around all the time around watching TV, playing video games or using their computers, eat only frozen foods.
And I'm not knocking fatties (as anybody who's seen me know, I'm the fattest of 'em all). But I got kinda scared when it became easier for me to buy oversized clothes in Japan than either Australia or the U.S., as well as having had to spend hours waiting in lines at diabetes clinics because so many people need treatment.
By the way GG, if you want good, filling, low fat meals, contact Nichirei, which makes decent (Japanese) food that's far tastier and healthier than anything you'll get from a convenience store, yet just as easy to prepare.

[GomiGirl]

By the way GG, if you want good, filling, low fat meals, contact Nichirei, which makes decent (Japanese) food that's far tastier and healthier than anything you'll get from a convenience store, yet just as easy to prepare.

Considering that you have been the incredible shrinking man these past 12 months, I would take any recommendation you have, my friend.

Can you PM me the contact details? As a girl on the go, I am keen to check them out.

p.s. Aussie BBQ this Saturday at the Embassy.. will I see you there? Healthy salads - real salads as well as the traditional assie fare..

[GuyJean]

..as well as the traditional assie fare..

Sounds delish..

GJ

[sillygirl]

Hee hee! Quite a few daikon legs in the hoards of kamikaze high school girls on bikes (hell bent on knocking you into the gutter, far as I can make out!)

Anyway, Gomigirl, did you try the microwavable Kagome diet dinners? Most supermarkets have them, pasta, risotto etc and with the kcal count in big numbers on the front! Don't taste too bad, either

[AssKissinger]

..as well as the traditional assie fare..

Sounds delish..

GJ

Eat this http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4970&highlight=asse

Who saw that coming?

[GomiGirl]

Anyway, Gomigirl, did you try the microwavable Kagome diet dinners? Most supermarkets have them, pasta, risotto etc and with the kcal count in big numbers on the front! Don't taste too bad, either

Have tried them all. Some are not too bad but there are some scary looking ones too - the squid ink risotto to name just one. In a restaurant when it is freshly prepared squid ink risotto is fantastic, but I doubt it does well when mass produced and freeze dried etc.

Overall, they are better than the average gyudon, but still I get a bit sick of them.

I usually have pick one up from the combini with a lettuce leaf salad on the way home from work at 1am.

[cstaylor]

Have you thought about hiring a cooking service? I'm sure there are plenty of older housewives that wouldn't mind the extra money. Maybe they can deliver as well?

[AssKissinger]

That squid ink risotto stuff will give you jet black squirts.

[Marvin Feltcher]

I'm sure there are plenty of older housewives that wouldn't mind the extra money. Maybe they can deliver as well?

I'm looking for some older housewives who deliver for cash, too. If you find some, let me know

[bejiita]

On a different note, has anyone ever tried Ryokko Aojiru? Recently saw an hour long infomercial on it and everyone in it was saying Oishiiiiii! The product reminded me of maccha, but was wondering what it tasted like.

[GomiGirl]

Have you thought about hiring a cooking service? I'm sure there are plenty of older housewives that wouldn't mind the extra money. Maybe they can deliver as well?

I suppose I could ask my mother who lives just around the corner from me.. but she always gives me such grief about not taking good enough care of myself.. she seems to somehow forget that I keep slightly different hours to her - she is a primary school teacher and gets home from work at 5pm.

I have been thinking of getting in a maid service but it is really hard to justify on a 40 sq m apartment.

[kamome]

On a different note, has anyone ever tried Ryokko Aojiru? Recently saw an hour long infomercial on it and everyone in it was saying Oishiiiiii! The product reminded me of maccha, but was wondering what it tasted like.

It tastes like shit.

All of the secretaries in my office have been drinking it twice a day for months. I tried it a couple of times and gagged. The only good way I know of to consume that stuff is to mix it with apple juice. And who knows if it even truly has any positive health effects? They all concede that they don't feel any different after having been on an aojiru binge for a year.

My breakfast every morning consists of whole wheat toast or high fiber cereal, a scrambled egg, a real salad that I've made at home, and a multi-vitamin (sometimes substituting yogurt or a banana for one of the other items above). That's good enough for me.

[GomiGirl]

My breakfast every morning consists of whole wheat toast or high fiber cereal, a scrambled egg, a real salad that I've made at home, and a multi-vitamin (sometimes substituting yogurt or a banana for one of the other items above). That's good enough for me.

You health nut!!

That beats my usual breakfast of a coffee and a cigarette!!

Maybe I will make some porridge (oatmeal) if it is cold in winter or some cereal if I have time, but time in the morning is a premium for me.. that extra 5-15 minutes is the only luxury I have all day!!

[bejiita]

It tastes like shit.

Thanks. You just saved me some money since I was going to buy some to try it out. This post also helps those forum lurkers who are into scat.

[Big Booger]

Anyone have a healthy eaters guide to conbini food? I mean everyday for lunch I have to eat that shit... I try for the salads and onigiris.. couple sandos every now and again.. generally shy away from the "bentos of cardiovascular suicide"... but occassionally I'll let one slip by..

I hit the zaru udon, soba, and ramen quite often.. But I've noticed the salt content of all that shit is way high... it's worse than the fat.. some of those meals have 1.1grams of salt up to 1.7 and 2.1 I tend to skip the salty crap..

I am just too lazy to make, pack and carry an obento to work.. And my wife works too so there's no hope there...

[AssKissinger]

No school lunches at your joint, BB?

[kamome]

Anyone have a healthy eaters guide to conbini food?

Yeah: don't do it.

Actually, I find myself eating conbini bentos far too often. I think it pays to be able to read the nutrition labels on the bentos so you know how many calories are in them as well as the amount of sodium and sugar.

[GuyJean]

Anyone have a healthy eaters guide to conbini food?

Niku man
Kaki pi
Salad w/ tuna
Water



GJ

[AssKissinger]

Typical Asskissin' diet: when morning classes are on coffee for breakfast, sleep in days=sausage and eggs, twice week school lunch, one fast food meal a weak, many frozen pizzas every week, 1.5 liters of milk a day, on average four alcoholic drinks a day, huge plates of spahetti with tons of cheese (thrice a week), beef or lamb steaks two or three times a week, sushi or fish once a week, salami (lots) beef jerky (sometimes) veggies one serving a day, fruit once every other day, high fiber cereal as a snack twice a week) multi-vitamins and supplements occasionally, fruit juice one liter a week, vegetable juice one liter a week, water two liters a day, gatorade two liters a week

ramem shop or yakiniku once every two months or so

beef stroganoff or tacos or mac'n'cheese or other specialty meal once every two weeks or so