Obesity

Do you know the actual definition of being obese? Don’t you think it means weighing too much for your height? In actuality, being obese is not just about how much you weigh. The fact is that being obese means your fat ratio in comparison to your body weight is abnormally high. 

The largest component of our bodies is water, including blood, which amounts from 50-60% of our body. The next biggest element is fat which amounts from 15-25% in the average male body and 20-30% in the average female body. The rest of our body’s components include protein, minerals, fructose, and so on. Our bones also include lots of proteins and minerals such as calcium. We start to gain weight when fat or water increases in our bodies. When fat increases, it can lead to obesity. When water increases, it is only swelling.

If you would like to learn more about the correct theory for dieting, please contact us

Alcohol, Beer Bellies, and the Importance of Basal Metabolism

Yomiuri newspaper, on of the major newspapers in Japan, has recently reported that the beer belly often seen on middle aged men has nothing to do with the amount of beer they drink.

A comparison of those who drink a lot of beer and those who do not revealed a lack of difference in the size of their belt lines. These results were announced in Japan yesterday at a Japanese institute for alcohol and drugs.


Drinking beer is not always the main cause of gaining fat. The main cause is a continuation of an intake of an excessive amount of calories. A good balance is generated between calorie intake and daily calorie consumption. Please note that general alcoholic drinks, such as beer, contain about 7kcal per 1g.

If you want to avoid gaining weight, you have to at least know your basal metabolism. This will help you make decisions on how much food you should eat during social situations. You will be able to make better judgements if you have the proper knowledge such as your basal metabolism.

Japanese Diet vs. American Diet

Japanese Diet vs. American Diet

Livestrong features a nice article outlining the key differences between the Japanese diet and the American diet. Some thing I want to point out is that many Japanese eat mostly white rice. For those who want to opt for a healthier meal, they should replace white rice with brown rice, pearl barley, or mix different grains into their white rice, also known as zakkokumai or kokumotsu gohan.Another thing I want to mention is that after World War II, most Japanese are strictly taught not to waste food. It is considered good manners to completely finish your meal and not leave anything to be wasted. So, when the article mentions that Japanese tend to “stop eating before they’re full” this is not necessarily true. It is true, however, that portion sizes are much smaller in Japan than in the US, so it is much easier to finish a meal set.

One factor the article does not take into account is that the Japanese drink a lot of green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols, which helps in the breakdown of fat. Wine, especially red wine, also contains a lot of polyphenols and is a theory behind the French Paradox. There are other fruits and vegetables that contain polyphenols

The Importance of Exercise

The Importance of Exercise

It is important to exercise as well as develop good eating habits when dieting. However, exercising does not work to reduce weight. For example, walking for 30 minutes is almost equal to burning the calories for one banana. Nevertheless, exercise is a very important element of any diet plan.

Some research was conducted on measuring the effects of dieting without exercise and dieting with exercise. It was found that those who dieted while exercising were able to reduce their body fat more easily. In other words, exercising reduces your body fat percentage.In contrast, if you do not exercise while dieting, you might lose some of your muscle mass. If you regain your weight, you will end up with a higher body fat percentage.Let’s work towards keeping a good figure! If you would like to learn more, please contact us.

Eating 75% of our capacity helps us lose weight

Eating 75% of our capacity helps us lose weight

Dieting healthily means reducing calorie intake while avoiding meals with unbalanced nutrition. Some people think that dieting can be done by avoiding carbohydrates such as rice, breads and noodles. This is not the correct way to diet. Avoiding too many foods can result in the following:

1. Rough skin
2. No energy
3. Anemia
4. Increased susceptibility to disease

Precisely speaking, reducing food intake for a diet should mean reducing the excess foods consumed. These include the following:

1. Sweets
2. Snacking between meals
3. Eating snacks or sweets while watching TV after dinner
4. Overeating

As a beverage, we prefer having unsweetened teas or water rather than sodas or juices. Even when on a diet, it is definitely necessary to eat well balanced meal in order to get proper nutrition.

A healthy diet requires us to get a variety of nutrition and eating 70-80% of our capacity so that we don't end up overeating.