14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (2024)

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14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (1)

If you’re a lover of Japanese food, you know that there is an impressive balance between protein, vegetables, and starch, making this one of the healthier cuisines to indulge in on a regular basis. But we’re not just talking sushi, sashimi, and chicken teriyaki. Low in calories and extremely nutritious, Japanese dishes don’t use a lot of processed foods or sugar, so if you are trying to focus more on fresh, whole foods, adding a few Japanese recipes to your weekly repertoire is in your best interest. If you do want to make Japanese food a staple in your household, stocking up on a few ingredients that can be used in just about every recipe is important; soy sauce, miso paste, kombu, sake, mirin, and rice vinegar are all easy to find in most grocery stores, and will provide all the flavor and balance you need in any recipe you whip up.

From a humble bowl of miso soup to a deeply flavored pot of marinated beef, Japanese cooking is all about making the protein the star of the show, while using fresh vegetables, pickled vegetables, and rice to prop it up. If you’ve struggled to find a cuisine that fits into your weight loss goals, check out our list of 14 healthy Japanese recipes that are high in protein, low in calories, and bursting with flavor.

Miso Soup

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Credit: pickledplum.com

A simple soup of onion, water, dashi, and miso paste make this not only an easy soup to make, but a healthy one too.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (3) 15 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (4) 75 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (5) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (6) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Miso Soup.

Baked Chicken Katsu

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Credit: pickledplum.com

Baking the chicken in this katsu recipe instead of frying it means less oil, but the same amount of flavor and crunch.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (8) 30 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (9) 300 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (10) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (11) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Baked Chicken Katsu.

Ginger Rice

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Credit: www.justonecookbook.com

Flavorful and simple to make, this ginger rice can be served with the protein of your choice or even on its own.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (13) 50 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (14) 150 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (15) Easy

V Vegetarian 14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (16) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Ginger Rice.

Onigirazu

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Credit: fifthfloor.kitchen

Liven up your office lunch with colorful onigirazu, which can be filled to the brim with just about any protein or vegetable you can imagine.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (18) 30 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (19) 175 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (20) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (21) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Onigirazu.

Shabu Shabu

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Credit: themissinglokness.com

Cook your dinner right at the table in this flavorful, boiling broth, that allows you to choose just about any meat and protein you want.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (23) 10 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (24) 100 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (25) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (26) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Shabu Shabu.

Yakitori

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Credit: www.chopstickchronicles.com

The deeply flavorful Teriyaki sauce in this recipe takes the standard grilled chicken to a whole new place.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (28) 30 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (29) 150 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (30) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (31) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Yakitori.

Oyakodon

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Credit: rasamalaysia.com

Packed with protein, this simple rice dish with eggs and chicken is a perfect main course for dinner any night of the week.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (33) 10 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (34) 380 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (35) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (36) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Oyakodon.

Goma-ae Japanese Greens

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Credit: www.bbcgoodfood.com

Serve these flavorful greens on the side of grilled chicken and warm Japanese sticky rice for a perfectly well-rounded meal.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (38) 15 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (39) 120 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (40) Easy

V Vegetarian 14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (41) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Goma-ae Japanese Greens.

Instant Pot Chawanmushi

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Credit: www.justonecookbook.com

While chawanmushi, a traditional Japanese egg custard, is typically made in a steamer or hot water bath, using an Instant Pot cuts down on the time and effort.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (43) 40 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (44) 200 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (45) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (46) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Instant Pot Chawanmushi.

Japanese Chicken Curry

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Credit: dishnthekitchen.com

Unlike Indian curry, Japanese curry is sweet and savory, and not at all spicy. Make this with the protein and veggies of your choice and serve over a bowl of warm rice.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (48) 30 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (49) 250 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (50) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (51) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Japanese Chicken Curry.

Yasai Itame

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Credit: www.greedygourmet.com

Yasai Itame, or vegetable stir fry, is simple to throw together on a weeknight and destined to become a weekly favorite.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (53) 35 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (54) 220 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (55) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (56) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Yasai Itame.

Omurice

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Credit: pickledplum.com

Omurice, or Japanese omelette rice, is simple and delicious for a breakfast, lunch, or dinner packed with protein.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (58) 25 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (59) 500 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (60) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (61) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Omurice.

Japanese Salmon with Mirin and Soy Sauce

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Credit: www.recipetineats.com

The simple, flavorful marinade for this salmon can be used time and time again for any meat or fish you like to make at home.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (63) 10 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (64) 300 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (65) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (66) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Japanese Salmon with Mirin and Soy Sauce.

Gyudon

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Credit: thewoksoflife.com

Beef over rice doesn’t have to be boring, and in this recipe, it absolutely isn’t. Soy sauce, mirin, and stock make for a simply delicious marinade for this simmered beef.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (68) 30 minutes14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (69) 600 calories14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (70) Easy

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (71) Healthy

Visit the page to learn more: Gyudon.

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (2024)

FAQs

What do Japanese eat to lose weight? ›

The Japanese diet is a type of diet that consists of eating few meals per day in small portions. It eliminates the consumption of dairy products, sugar, fatty and processed foods. This diet is rich in fresh vegetables, soy, fish and seafood that promote optimal functioning of the intestines.

What Japanese superfood burns fat? ›

Matcha is a Thermogenic food and helps to burn extra calories and promote fat burning.

What do Japanese drink to lose weight? ›

Green tea for natural weight loss

These compounds work with other chemicals to intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis, where heat is created in the body by burning fuels such as fat. Drinking green tea regularly can increase your metabolism and helps you lose weight safely and naturally.

What is the ancient Japanese secret to weight loss? ›

We found a key secret to successful weight loss halfway around the world, in Okinawa, Japan. It's called Hara Hachi Bu and translated it means, Eat until you're 80 percent full. It's no gimmick. It's been proven effective since the times of Confucius.

What is the Japanese morning secret to weight loss? ›

The Morning Banana Diet, also known as the Asa Banana Diet, was created by a Japanese pharmacist to help her husband lose weight. By following the simple plan of eating a banana every morning, he dropped 38 pounds.

What is the Japanese weightloss remedy? ›

  1. Jun 28, 2023. ​10 Japanese weight loss tips to burn fat easily. ...
  2. ​​Chewing food well​ ...
  3. ​​Breakfast is the best meal​ ...
  4. ​​Portion control​ ...
  5. ​​Don't overstuff yourself​ ...
  6. ​​Don't eat overcooked food​ ...
  7. ​​Plain rice over refined flour​ ...
  8. ​​Drink Matcha​
Jun 28, 2023

What is the number one drink to lose belly fat? ›

The Best Drink for Weight Loss

When choosing a better beverage, our No. 1 drink pick for weight loss is green tea. Although all teas offer potential health benefits, here is why green tea wins out.

What is the miracle drink for weight loss? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is mostly famous for its weight loss benefits and is easy to make at home. Recipe: To make this drink, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of warm water. Add a teaspoon of honey for better flavour and taste and consume it before your meals.

How do Japanese lose belly fat? ›

8 Japanese Weight Loss Tips To Get Rid Of Belly Fat
  1. Portion Control (Hara Hachi Bu) ...
  2. Balanced Meals (Ichi-juu Sansai) ...
  3. Tea Consumption (Green Tea) ...
  4. Fish and Lean Proteins. ...
  5. Fermented Foods (Natto, Miso, Kimchi) ...
  6. Walking (Ikiru) ...
  7. Mindful Eating (Itadakimasu) ...
  8. Low-Fat Cooking Methods.
Jan 8, 2024

What is the miracle spice for weight loss? ›

Some of the best spices for weight loss include cumin, turmeric, coriander, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and garlic. These spices can help to regulate your metabolism, reduce inflammation, and balance your blood sugar levels, aiding in weight loss.

What Japanese dessert helps you lose weight? ›

Konnyaku is a traditional Japanese jelly-like food that is great for detoxifying your body and helps with weight loss by making you feel full even though the Konnyaku itself is low in calories. It is especially great after over-eating as it can slow down stomach emptying and the absorption of sugar.

How do Japanese stay slim? ›

An Active Lifestyle Goes a Long Way

I bet you it's not all that often. Japanese people eat healthy, but they also stay active, which helps them stay lean. For instance, public transport use and walking are very popular ways to get to work or school in Japan.

What is the Japanese water diet for weight loss? ›

Japanese Water Therapy typically involves:
  • Drinking 6-7 glasses of warm water (about 1.5 liters) first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach.
  • Waiting 30-45 minutes before consuming any food or drink.
  • Following a specific eating schedule throughout the day.
Dec 12, 2023

What is the typical diet of a Japanese person? ›

What is the traditional Japanese diet? The traditional Japanese diet is largely fresh and unprocessed, with very few refined ingredients and sugar. In fact, it isn't that dissimilar to a traditional Chinese diet, with staples including rice, cooked and pickled vegetables, fish and meat.

What are the two most important foods in the Japanese diets? ›

The Japanese traditional diet (Washoku), which is characterized by high consumption of fish and soybean products and low consumption of animal fat and meat, relies on the effective use of umami taste to enhance palatability.

References

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