While Asia is a huge land mass that contains a wide variety of people, cultures, and cuisines, the Healthy Traditional Asian Diet Pyramid was ‘inspired by the cuisines of South and East Asia, including such countries as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and other related Pacific Rim areas.’
Undeniably, though, these healthy traditional dietary patterns have been disappearing due to the proliferation of fast food business establishments in the region.
The traditional Asian diet has plant food at its fundamental base. ‘Plant-based foods commonly consumed in Asia include rice and other grains, noodles, flatbreads, potatoes, fruits and vegetables (including sea vegetables), nuts, seeds, beans, various soy foods, other legumes, vegetable and nut oils, herbs and spices, and plant-based beverages including tea, wine and beer.’
Benchmarked on minimal processing and freshness of foods, the traditional Asian diet assures dietary fiber, antioxidants, and a host of micronutrients including vitamins and minerals.
Asian diet is ‘characteristically low in both saturated and total fat.’ It is also marked by the very minimal use of dairy products. Contrary to the concern that lack of dairy may lead to calcium deficiency, ‘the plant-based, dairy-free diets of much of Asia are associated with low incidence of osteoporosis.’
Additionally, new researches on black and green tea reveal the tea’s various antioxidant content. The drinking of these teas, a widely accepted Asian tradition, may ‘have contributed to the low rates of certain chronic diseases in the region.’
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