The philosophy or principles of the traditional Japanese not just their diet, have created a healthier lifestyle. This is a lifestyle which merits study and experience to gain the full benefits however there are some key principles which can be incorporated into everyday life.

The Principles of a Healthy Lifestyle and Diet, which the Ryukyu Islanders (the world’s longest living people group) have followed for generations, means observing three key Principles:

kuten gwa  - Literally translated as “little portions” – eating small amounts of a variety of nutrient dense, high antioxidant, low calorie foods (foods such as soy, fruits, vegetables, sprouts, broth-based soups, seaweed, noodles, sweet potatoes, lean poultry and fish, beans, grains and yogurt

hara hachi bu  - “eat until 80 percent full only”. Stopping at 80 percent capacity gives the stomach's stretch receptors time to catch up since the stomach takes about 20 minutes to tell the body how full it really is.