World’s Longest Living People

50 Secrets of the World’s Longest Living People

Some time closer to 2005 I was reading a book called 50 Secrets of the World’s Longest Living People. Although I don’t agree with everything it claims, it is an interesting take on health. Here are a few notes I took while reading the book:

Okinawa

Around 1500 calories a day

• Sweet potatoes
• Leafy greens
• Whole grains
• Fish
• Rice
• Pork
• Soy Products
• Low Fat
• Low meat
• Low sugar
• Low refined carbohydrate
• Low stimulants
• Over 1/3 vegetables + fiber
• Fish 2-3 times a week, tuna, mackerel, salmon
• Fish low in fat, easier to digest
• 6-7 services of grain (makes 1/3 of diet; 1/2 of diet is rice or sweet potato)
• Meat is stewed with and primarily used to flavor vegetables
• Only 24% calories from fat in diet
• Low salt
• 3 cups of green tea daily + calcium rich water
• Regular exercise

[Editor’s notes: I advise against the whole grains. By the way, I’ve learned since I wrote these notes that Okinawans don’t eat as much rice as we think. They mostly eat sweet potato for their starch. I find it funny that this book claims they eat so much rice, while also pointing out this interesting yet almost contradictory fact: Okinawans eat so much sweet potato that they have a local greeting, nmu kamatooin.  That means “Are you getting enough sweet potato?”  Neat. Also, I should point out that Okinawan sweet potatoes are an insane cartoonish PURPLE. I also think they taste like frosted cupcakes.]

Symi–Greek

• Olive oil
• Tomato sauce
• Fish
• Goat cheese
• Greek yogurt [You don’t say…]
• Little meat w/ vegetables
• Fruits
• Salads
• Wine
• Fish 2-3 times a week (sardines)
• Whole-wheat flour bread
• Feta
• Soups, Stews w/ tomatoes, garlic, herbs, lamb and rosemary
• Meat only once a week [Editor: This seems very implausible.]
• Wine w/ meals (ouzo, raki, retsina) – Retsina w/ strong flavors–capers, feta, herbs

General Notes

• Minimum 5-10 portions of fresh fruit + vegetables
• Avacados, apsaragus, fennel, papaya, wheat-free whole grains
• Brown rice salads and lightly steamed sugar snap peas, seasoned with garlic and soy sauce
• Vegetables, fish, herbs, onions, ginger, red wine, oils, low meat, short cooking

[Editor’s notes: So as you can see, how can one go wrong recommending eating fish, whole foods, and a lot of vegetables? Still, if you like learning about food in a cultural context you may enjoy this book. I believe it also covers the Hunza, of which I am a fan. Here is a link to 50 Secrets of the World’s Longest Living People on Amazon.com. ]