Top 5 Asian Foods for Weight Loss
Time-Tested and Proven Effective Asian Foods for Weight Loss
Foods for weight loss abound in the Asian diet.
This is because the Asian diet is a cultural representation of how Asian people consume plenty of vegetables, fruits, seaweeds, healthy fats in oils, fishes, and teas.
It is also a demonstration of how Asians cut down on red meat and dairy products, foods that have been proven to contribute to weight gain.
In the Asian diet, Asians use natural foods for weight loss in recipes that involve fermentation, steaming, boiling, stir frying, as well as other methods of preparing and preserving foods that do not increase unhealthy fats.
While there are plenty of foods for weight loss in the Asian diet, some are so remarkable they deserve special mentions.
The top Asian foods for weight loss present in the Asian diet are tofu, miso, brown rice, kanten, and shirataki noodles.
Aside from their abilities to facilitate weight reduction, these Asian superfoods are loaded with nutrients and completely able to deliver health benefits.
Tofu, miso, brown rice, kanten, and shirataki noodles are all parts of the traditional Asian diet, which has come under attack by modernization in Asia.
Today, many Asians have seem to forget about the incredible health benefits of their traditional foods as they prefer to eat several unhealthy western foods, resulting in increasingly high rates of obesity, cancer and chronic diseases in many Asian countries.
In spite of this recent trend, the good judgment of eating Asian foods for weight loss would still be helpful to people struggling with obesity and unhealthy fats.
Below are descriptions of top Asian foods for weight loss.
1. Tofu - Great Substitute for Meat
Made from the curds of soybean milk, tofu originally came from China and has now become a mainstream ingredient in many Asian dishes across the Asian continent.
As a food for weight loss, tofu is low in calories, low in saturated fats and sodium, but high in proteins, making it an excellent meat substitute for people struggling with weight gain.
On top of that, tofu helps promote good heart, prostate, and bone health.
It also boosts energy, helps develop strong muscles, and balances menopausal hormones.
This Asian food for weight loss is best prepared grilled, sautéed, baked, or mixed with vegetables.
2. Miso – Distinctly Flavored Paste for Weight Loss
Made from fermented soy beans, miso is an Asian condiment that facilitates weight loss.
It is low in calories and fats, with only about 50 calories and 2 grams of fats per ounce.
Miso used in soups also curbs appetite and keeps eating in check because it is filling.
Other than its weight loss properties, miso is also outstanding for its abilities to boost the immune system with its zinc, copper, and manganese contents; boost energy; reduce cancer risk; enhance digestion and nutrient absorption; and fight certain kinds of viruses.
This Asian food for weight loss is best mixed in broth or other vegetable-based dishes.
3. Brown Rice – Low-Calorie Starch-Based Food
Even if it is rich in starch, brown rice is actually low in saturated fats, calories, cholesterol, and sodium, making it ideal food for people wanting to reduce their weights.
Brown rice is a staple food from which many Asians get energy.
They eat brown rice together with other healthy foods in order to give them a sense of fullness.
Other tan its ability to help in weight loss, brown rice is packed with nutrients like calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, protein, selenium, as well as vitamins B and K.
This Asian food for weight loss also reduces risks of certain kinds of cancer, increase in blood sugar, ulcers, diarrhea, and constipation.
4. Agar – Seaweed that Suppresses Appetite
Agar is a form of dried and tasteless seaweed that has substantial amounts of fiber and virtually zero calories.
This food for weight loss works wonders by suppressing the appetite, helping people stop gorging on unhealthy foods that drive up intake of calories and saturated fats.
This Asian food for weight loss is very versatile.
It can be easily mixed in drinks and other foods as they easily absorb the taste of these foods.
It can also be used as a thickener in soups, juices, or syrups.
5. Shirataki Noodles – Superfood for Weight Loss
Made from the tubers of the Asian konjac plant, the Shirataki noodles are arguably the super star among all Asian foods for weight loss.
This is because Shirataki noodles have practically no fats, sugar, and calories.
Much of their carbohydrates do not end up in small intestines.
They are also bland, helping them effortlessly blend with any other kinds of foods and aiding weight-losers in eating interestingly flavored meals without the guilt.
The marvel of Shirataki noodles lies in their property called glucomannan, a type of soluble fiber that reduces insulin after eating meals, reduces hunger, and delaying the emptying of the stomach.
This Asian food for weight loss also has healthy bacteria that speed up digestion.
Copyright © 2011 Kerlyn Bautista
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