Diet

Food Secrets of the World's Slimmest, Healthiest People

These slimming secrets from around the globe will help you drop pounds easily and for good

by Allie Flinn | 1 COMMENT

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Make Like the Japanese and Fill Your Plate With Fish and Veggies Cimperman says that the Japanese diet contains about 25 percent fewer calories than the American diet, thanks to smaller portion sizes and plates filled with veggies. She says to slash portion sizes by simply using smaller plates, and try to fill half your plate with veggies at both lunch and dinner.

If you're sick of your boring steamed-broccoli-and-carrots routine, Cimperman says to experiment with veggies you wouldn't normally pick up, like purple potato, edamame and miso (yes, it's a vegetable not just a type of soup).

Lastly, incorporate fish into your diet at least three times a week (when this writer took a life estimator test via the Blue Zones website, she found she would gain 219 days just by eating more fish). Cimperman recommends fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and tuna. Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of heart disease and improve brain health (one study even found that they helped reduce cramps).

SEE NEXT PAGE: Eat This Smelly Korean Side That Helps Your Gut (and Your Waistline)

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