Nihon Noms: 5 Japanese Superfoods To Eat Tonight

December 14th, 2013By Category: Food & Dining

We all know that Japanese food is known for being healthy, but here are a few food facts to help you shop happily and yummily. (I made that word up).

wakame health food

Wakame

A type of seaweed found in just about any grocery store, Wakame has more than ten times the calcium of milk, plus vitamin D which helps your body absorb calcium. It’s also contains vitamin A, C, K and B2, which helps your body use fat and carbs. It has only 5 calories per serving… and it’s delicious.

sesame seeds

Sesame Seeds

Contain 975 milligrams of calcium per 100 grams (or 88 milligrams per teaspoon if you’re not into eating almost a cup of seeds). Also high in magnesium, which is great for women with PMS.

Shitake Mushrooms health food

Shitake Mushrooms

Excellent source of the vitamin Bs (2,3,5,6) and considered a decent source of both fiber and protein, and a great iron-rich food for vegetarians. Most of the research on Shitakes has been in connection with their benefit to the auto-immune system.

Shoyu

Shoyu (ok it’s not a food)

Studies have shown that the antioxidants in shoryu are ten times more effective than those found in red wine. It also contains more iron than oatmeal or walnuts and is a great alternative to salt as a condiment. (And no, I’m not recommending you drink 100 grams of shoyu- it is high in sodium).

Aburage

Aburage (fried tofu sheets or squares) 

Contains 50% of the daily-recommended value of Calcium per 2 ounce serving (about 60 grams) and 10% of your daily iron (hey- that’s better than spinach!).

A few goodies to pick up to cancel out the weekly benders of Calbee chips and ton katsu. Itadakimasu!

Photo Credits: Flickr, by wimar; Fotoos VanRobin; TripleScoop, John Siegel, Fat Salmon

Author of this article

Cynthia Popper

Writer/model/actor by day, English teacher by night. When she’s not stalking beauty trends or giving model advice on her blog, she can usually be found in the Shimokita thrift shops or eating more than a reasonable amount of green tea Galbo minis.

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