I have noticed that Japanese have big passion for food but from the other hand everybody
are crazy about diets as it's absolute must to stay slim.
There is so many programs about cooking in Japanese TV,comercials of food, and so many magazines about
food. Shops are packed with lots of goodies and restaurants, patiseries and bars offer
impressive selection of best food imaginable. All highest quality,all looking so mounth
watering that hard to resist not to try it.
And people can not resist and enjoy food.
Surprisingly, they are not obese like in many other countries, especially Western ones.
As I could observe, most of Japanese are slim, slender. Only some people are a bit more
round.And looks like it is trend here to make this roundish people slim again.
So second most popular topic of Japanese TV shows and magazines is how to get slim and which diet is good
and efficient, which exercises best.
People are taught how to control what they eat and that they should count callories.
And most of all- eat reasonable way.
Japanese like rafined and beautifully served dishes, which look like objects of art.
Traditional Japanese cousine is in general low in callories, based on vegetables and fish.
 is why it is perfect food to stay slim.
But modern Japanese diet is rich with meat and dairy products, so now Japanese eat dfferent way
that around 50 years ago. French and Italian dishes are popular, and as everybody know, it is not
low callory food.
I started to think what is the secret of Japanese slimness, even if they eat pasta, pizza
hamburgers and cakes with cream and strawberries (excelent one by the way...)
First of all Japanese must stay slim. Simply must.
This is kind of social pressure.
People who are obese represent those who are not successful. Slim body means discipline, allure, success and
popularity.
My friend working for big Japanese corporation told me that he can not date with girl,
who is obese because it will be frowned upon. If his collegues see him with such a girl,
he may become a laughing stock and besides he doesn't like "fat girls".
I see... That is why those food loving people must pay such attention what and how they eat.
That is why Japanese portions are so small and even bottle of water contains informaton how
many calories it has. Thankfully, water has 0 callories, so at least this I can drink
freely.
I like good food and cooking too and especially I love Japanese food.
But since I am here, I must follow rules of this place, Japanese ways.
I must control what I eat and loose this few kilos extra which I have to follow Japanese
standarts. And to be able to go out with my nice friend from posh company or even be introduced to
his friends.
I can not make him feel ashamed.
This are Japanese ways.
Hedonism and discipline. Or rather, hedonism stricly controlled by discipline.