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Explore Heritage Diets

What is the
Asian Heritage Diet?

Traditional Asian diets are as varied as the Asian continent is large. Although each country and region has distinct flavors and cooking styles, there are many unifying characteristics: plenty of vegetables, strong spices, rice and noodles, seafood, and soy products.

Oldways Cultural Food Traditions
Oldways Cultural Food Traditions

Steps to get started

Eat mindfully

In traditional Asian cultures, people enjoy food with gratitude, rather than multitasking. Be present, savor flavors, and honor your body’s fullness cues.

Eat lots of vegetables

Though the sauces and seasonings vary, traditional Asian diets all have one thing in common—vegetables play a central role at every meal.

Use meat as a garnish

Meat is consumed in small portions per meal—just enough for a boost of protein and flavor. Fish and seafood are more commonly eaten than meat in many coastal communities.

Enjoy soy

Soy foods such as tofu, edamame, or tempeh are enjoyed by all, not just vegetarians. Try replacing one meat-based meal with one soy-based meal each week.

Fill up with hot soups

Our bodies can confuse thirst for hunger. Start your meals with a cup of broth-based soup. This practice is believed to improve digestion and control appetite.

Drink tea and water

Science has shown many health benefits of tea, especially green tea, such as lower risk of obesity and chronic disease. Pass on any added cream or sugar.

Share meals with others

Put away your phone; turn off the TV. Every meal is an opportunity to bond with friends and family and to enjoy good food and companionship.

Be physically active

A healthy lifestyle is about more than food. Traditional Asian exercises such as Tai Chi or yoga offer physical activity for building strength and flexibility.

Asian Heritage Diet food pyramid

Food Pyramid

Eggs, poultry, healthy oils, yogurt

Eat moderate portions, daily to weekly

Drink water and tea

Fish and seafood

Eat often, at least twice a week

Be physically active and enjoy meals with others

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, soy foods, herbs, and spices

Base every meal on these foods

Meats and sweet

Eat less often

 

Other ways to get started

Oldways Cultural Food Traditions
Recipes

Explore delicious heritage recipes

Oldways Cultural Food Traditions
Food Glossary

Check out our glossary to get familiar with common foods in the Asian Diet

Oldways Cultural Food Traditions
Free Resources

Factsheets, handouts, PPT presentations, and more

Oldways Cultural Food Traditions
Culinary Travel

Travel, eat, and learn with us

Food and flavors of the Asian Heritage Diet

Common Foods & Flavors of the Asian Heritage Diet

Food and flavors of the Asian Heritage Diet

Whether you flavor familiar foods with Asian spices or experiment with less familiar ingredients from an Asian market, there are plenty of delicious choices. Check out our Asian Foods and Flavors for more information about the flavors of Asian foods and how frequently to eat them.

Pyramid development and history

Curious how the Asian Heritage Diet came to be?

Asian Heritage Diet
Asian Diet

HEALTH STUDIES

Research supports traditional diets

Although nutrition research has historically been Eurocentric, emerging studies highlight the health benefits of traditional Asian Heritage Diets and of culturally tailored nutrition programming.

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