The Japanese just eat less calories. There isn't anything particularly fancy about it, it's just less overall, be it rice, donuts, or fluffy Hokkaido milk bread.
The answer is not a simple yes or no. While there are many factors that influence individual diets, the overall Japanese diet is generally lower in calories than that seen in some Western countries. On average, Japanese adults consume 2,150-2,900 calories per day, while the average American adult consumes 2,742-3,657 calories every day.[1]
Assuming the middles of those ranges that's like 500-1000 calories less than your average American. This does not mean they're more "fit" either, though things like pull-ups and 5K runs are easier when you're skinny vs. 50lbs overweight due to excess adipose tissue.
The Japanese are also shorter and smaller than Westerners, on average. Of course they'd eat less calories. Many women I've talked to can't even find clothes in their size in America; they have to get clothes in children's sizes.
The big difference I see is that Japanese walk a LOT more than Americans, at least in the cities (which is where the large majority of Japanese live).
Yes I think that is obvious. But I also think the main reason is why the eat less calories is because they have a healtier culture where eating less calories is simply easier.
If I drive my car to the city where my parents live, the only real options I have on the way are fast foods that are very unhealthy.
If I go to the store, we have sections of candy and sodas but buying an ice tea is hard.
If I go out for dinner most options are unhealthy etc etc.
Our culture is eating bread and other wheat products that are filled with calories and also have an agriculture that uses pesticides like 5-10 times a year.
Comments
The Japanese just eat less calories. There isn't anything particularly fancy about it, it's just less overall, be it rice, donuts, or fluffy Hokkaido milk bread.
Assuming the middles of those ranges that's like 500-1000 calories less than your average American. This does not mean they're more "fit" either, though things like pull-ups and 5K runs are easier when you're skinny vs. 50lbs overweight due to excess adipose tissue.
[1] https://www.thedonutwhole.com/do-japanese-eat-less-calories/....
The Japanese are also shorter and smaller than Westerners, on average. Of course they'd eat less calories. Many women I've talked to can't even find clothes in their size in America; they have to get clothes in children's sizes.
The big difference I see is that Japanese walk a LOT more than Americans, at least in the cities (which is where the large majority of Japanese live).
Yes I think that is obvious. But I also think the main reason is why the eat less calories is because they have a healtier culture where eating less calories is simply easier.
If I drive my car to the city where my parents live, the only real options I have on the way are fast foods that are very unhealthy.
If I go to the store, we have sections of candy and sodas but buying an ice tea is hard.
If I go out for dinner most options are unhealthy etc etc.
Our culture is eating bread and other wheat products that are filled with calories and also have an agriculture that uses pesticides like 5-10 times a year.