🍱 What is Washoku? The Japanese Food Philosophy
Washoku is a Japanese word that means way more than just Japanese food. It is a whole philosophy about how food should work in your life.
The five big ideas in Washoku are:
- Health
- Balance
- Gratitude
- Community
- Beauty
A Washoku meal should have five to six different colors on the plate because seeing all those colors actually helps reduce stress.
The traditional meal order is:
- Pickled or fermented foods
- Vegetables
- Rice
- Protein (tofu or fish)
- Soup
This order is not random. Starting with fermented foods wakes up your gut, and ending with soup instead of sugary dessert keeps your blood sugar steady.
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Lessons from LIP #250
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