Trying to constantly lead a healthy lifestyle and follow a particular diet can be challenging at times. But depending on the types of cuisines that you enjoy, you might be closer than you think at eating foods that are considered to be healthy. Meditteranean diets are usually referred to as a good model for being able to incorporate all the food groups that we associate with being healthy, so vegetables, fruit, meat, fish and dairy. However it might not be the only healthy cuisine to refer to though, as an Asian diet can be just as nutritious. ​

How An Asian Diet Can Be Extremely Healthy For You

Healthy Cooking Techniques

A lot of the cooking techniques adopted in Asian cuisine revolve around steaming or stir frying, which are healthy ways to cook food. Steaming helps to retain the nutritional content of the food, which is important with vegetables and does not require any oil to cook in. Stir frying is also a quick cooking method which enables the food to remain fresh and retains the vitamins and minerals which our bodies require. The more you cook your vegetables the less nutritional benefit you will gain from it. 
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An Abundance Of Vegetables​

Vegetables are not just served up as a minuscule side dish but form part of many dishes like a stirfry. Vegetables such as chinese cabbage, daikon radish, taro root, water spinach, yamaimo, and bok choy are some examples that are utilised in Asian cooking. Ideally we should be eating around 3-4 portions a day, so by putting a meal together that is abundant in vegetables you will easily be able to reach this target on a regular basis. 

Consuming More Fish Instead Of Red Meat

There is generally a lot more fish consumed in an Asian diet compared to Western traditions. So a plethora of fish, such as salmon, tuna, shellfish, prawns and squid to name a few. There is less emphasis on consuming red meat which should be eaten in moderation anyway as they are high in saturated fats. Eating fish such as salmon and tuna are plentiful in omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for maintaining a healthy heart and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
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Herbal Teas

To accompany the main meal it is typical to consume herbal tea such as Green Tea. Studies demonstrate that Green Tea is full of beneficial properties such as polyphenols, natural antioxidants, and minerals. Together they help the body combat inflammation, cell damage and protect against various diseases, including cancer.

Stocking Up On Essentials

It’s a good idea to keep some basic asian grocery cupboard ingredients, that way you can always put together a quick meal when you do not feel like spending hours in the kitchen. Items like rice, noodles, frozen vegetables and pulses are always useful staple ingredients to have at home in order to prepare a quick but nutritious meal for yourself and the family.

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