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

14 Healthy Japanese Recipes for Weight Loss - TheDiabetesCouncil.com (2)

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 is the ancient Japanese secret to weight loss? ›

Simple changes in everyday eating habits can help put the secret of hara hachi bu into practice for improved health or for weight loss. Anyone can make changes to their eating patterns or environment, enjoy food, and learn to eat only until they are 80 percent full.

What is the Japanese ingredient in weight loss? ›

Konjac is made from the bulb of the konjac plant

Konjac, being high in dietary fiber and low in calories, is a popular ingredient for people who are dieting, wish to detoxify their body, or want beautiful skin.

What is the Japanese fat burning superfood? ›

Matcha is a Thermogenic food and helps to burn extra calories and promote fat burning. A 1999 study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis from 8-10% to 35-43% of daily energy expenditure.

What are the three ingredients to lose belly fat? ›

Sipping on a simple Ayurvedic blend made by soaking cumin, coriander and fennel tea can help lose weight and reduce belly fat by accelerating the metabolic rate, which helps in better fat burning.

What Japanese dessert helps you lose weight? ›

Fruit Konjac Jelly

Konjac Jelly is tenderly called “konnyaku” in Japanese. Do you know why konnyaku is considered a healthy Japanese snack? The reason is that, with its low-calorie count and high fiber content, konjac jelly may help reduce your blood cholesterol and help you lose weight.

How to eat like a Japanese woman for weight loss? ›

Eat 5 types of food per week

In Japan, the foundation of Japanese cuisine revolves around fish, beans, rice, vegetables, and fruits. Despite the simplicity of these ingredients, they can be skillfully combined to create a wide array of dishes, while maintaining relatively low calorie content.

How do Japanese eat rice and stay thin? ›

Japanese people stay lean despite eating lots of white rice because they're unafraid of it. They have a relationship with it where it neither scares nor intimidates them — instead of avoiding it, they enjoy it in moderate portions, with different vegetables, filling fats, and nourishing proteins.

What do Japanese eat for breakfast? ›

However, certain elements are commonly found in a typical Japanese breakfast. These include steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickles, natto (fermented soybeans), tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), nori (seaweed), and a variety of side dishes such as vegetables, tofu, or salad.

What is Japanese water for weight loss? ›

Japanese Water Therapy, also known as “Mizu-no-ryoho,” involves drinking a specific amount of water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Proponents claim it offers various health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, and increased energy levels.

What do the Chinese take to lose weight? ›

Some of the best traditional Chinese medicine herbs for weight loss include He Ye (lotus leaf), Fu Ling and Huang Qi. Bao He Wan, an over-the-counter Chinese weight loss formula, contains a variety of herbs.

How do Japanese eat so much and stay thin? ›

A Balanced Diet: Japanese Food Is Lighter Than It Looks

While Japanese food has noodles, rice, and similar carbs commonly associated with gaining weight, Japanese people consume lots of protein with it, and the fat, fiber, and vitamin contents of their diet are very well balanced.

Does Japanese towel method really work for weight loss? ›

That said, towels may deserve a spot in your core workouts, but not in a viral-TikTok-hack way. Mallory Creveling, ACE CPT, a personal trainer, explained that while the five-minute Japanese towel exercise isn't necessarily bad for you, it's not going to whip you into shape as some claim it does.

What is the Japanese water hack for weight loss? ›

Japanese Water Therapy, also known as “Mizu-no-ryoho,” involves drinking a specific amount of water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Proponents claim it offers various health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, and increased energy levels.

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