In this article, we are going to talk about the Japanese Food Pyramid (食事バランスガイド), a great base and guide for those who want to eat good food in Japan. This pyramid is a little old and has been circulating around Japan and on the internet when we talk about the food pyramid.
In this article, we will understand this pyramid involving the dieta japonesa. It is important to clarify that this cannot be considered something 100% precise, it is just a guide and a base detailing how the Japanese diet is or should be.
Inverted Japanese Food Pyramid
For some reason the Japanese food pyramid has been turned upside down. At the top we find a man running symbolizing exercises. The core at the top symbolizes water and tea.
The yellow section represents grains, rice, bread, onigiri, pasta, and noodles. According to the size of the base, you should consume 5 to 7 servings per day, with about 4 average servings being rice.
The green section represents vegetables like potatoes, mushrooms, and 海藻. You should consume 5 to 6 servings per day. The brown section represents meat, fish, eggs, and soy dishes. You should consume 3 to 5 servings per day.
The last section is divided into 2. On the left we have dairy products that you should consume about 2 to 3 servings per day. On the right, we have fruits that should also be consumed twice a day. The small blue rope on the left represents sweets, beverages, coffee, and other industrialized products that should be consumed in moderation.
Note that the graph is accurate showing the amount of food and how many servings they represent. For example, a serving of fried chicken is already equivalent to 3 servings while a fried tofu is equivalent to one.
Undoubtedly, this food pyramid is different from that of other countries. Overall, you will notice how this food pyramid correlates strongly with a traditional Japanese meal at dinner and breakfast time.
Remember to enjoy your meals. Establish a healthy rhythm by keeping regular times for your meals that should be balanced with staple foods. Combine vegetables, fruits, dairy products and fish in your diet. Remember to avoid fat and salt in your diet and don't forget about physical activity. I hope you enjoyed this little article. xD