Japanese traditional cuisine is based on seafood and fresh vegetables and is packed with superfoods! So you’d think going out for sushi would be incredibly healthy for you – right? Well, it can be. But the first step towards making your Sushi night a healthful success is ditching one ingredient: White rice.
White rice is high on the glycemic index and low in vitamins and minerals compared with unprocessed grains. It’s calorie-dense and will boost your insulin levels to make you feel hungrier – Sumo wrestlers eat it all the time!
But what is sushi without the rice?
- It’s called sashimi. Seriously. Order sashimi and you’ll enjoy a plate of delicious fresh raw fish, minus the calorie-dense, vitamin-deficient processed white rice. My favorites are fatty tuna and salmon, both rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Hand rolls, seaweed wrappers packed with raw fish and fresh vegetables, are another superfood staple. Seaweed is one of nature’s best sources of iodine, which improves your skin and helps your metabolism for faster, easier weight loss.
- Green tea is rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants and has even been shown to reduce anxiety – which means it’s good for the body and the mind! Green tea also has small amounts of flouride, making it excellent for strengthening teeth (in moderation).
- Miso soup comes with nearly every sushi dinner. It contains kojic acid, which reduces age spots and brightens skin.
- Edamame, soy beans, reduces symptoms of menopause and help women maintain balanced hormone levels. Even for younger women, soy helps skin stay plump and elastic.
Of course, you’ll also want to avoid the tempura and sushi rolls with crazy names, like “crunchy rainbow volcano roll.” Not only do these rolls all include white rice, they also often rely on mayonnaise and fried ingredients. These rolls are made to please Western palates – you’d never find them in a sushi restaurant in Japan (unless they cater to tourists!).