Of all Asian cultures, the Japanese – and to some extent, Chinese and Korean – seems to be the standard when one speaks of delicate beauty. The almost theatrical movements of Japanese rituals and the graceful, flowing lines of the traditional kimonos only seem to underscore this fact. But more than these, it is the beauty of Japanese women that seems to have the world under its sway. The year 2007, in fact, was witness to the crowning of a Japanese beauty as Miss Universe in the person of Riyo Mori – an event that succeeded the first runner up finish of another Japanese beauty Kurara Chibana in 2006.

With their clear skin, naturally svelte figures, and shiny hair, Japanese women embody beauty – but more than that, they represent healthy beauty. Studies show that the Japanese lives longer compared to people of Western cultures like Americans. Not only can they live up to an average of 86 years old – which is at least 8 years longer than the average American – but they can also live 75 years of their lifetime healthily and free of any diseases and disabilities. According to the International Obesity Task Force, Japanese people also enjoy the recognition of being the least obese country in the world. Their health is the key to their beauty and seeming agelessness – but how do they do it?

The answer is simple: The key to their healthy beauty is in the food they eat. Japanese skin care and beauty regimens start foremost in healthy eating and living. If you are interested to try the Japanese way to beauty, here’s how to do it:

1. Take the time to prepare your food.
If you’ll notice, a lot of people in the West are likely to whip out a can of pasta sauce and throw it together with some instant pasta for a quick meal. Most also opt to just grab the phone and order takeout for the nearest restaurant. While convenient, these options are not really healthy and can wreck havoc on your skin with all the extra grease and unnecessary calories. Fresh food comprises the bulk of the Japanese diet – fruits, grains, vegetables, and fish – which are prepared using the simplest of methods. Steaming, boiling, or dipping in broth are just some of the most common ways of preparing Japanese food which results in dishes that are packed in flavor sans the extra calories.

2. Feast with your eyes.
Japanese cooking methods will often instruct you to roll something, slice in very precise sizes, or arrange a dish in a particular way. When you look at a typical Japanese meal or dish presentation, you’d be hard-pressed not to appreciate the beauty and the almost artistic way the food is presented. True, the flavors may not be really what you are used to – given that you eat like most Westerners do – but the beauty of the dish is often enough to compel you to eat. Japanese meals often observe portion control with small samplings of every dish arranged on a plate. This way of dining encourages you to enjoy the beauty of your food and slow down to savor every bite, which means eating less, because it gives your brain time to realize your body is full.

Fresh and simple best describe the Japanese diet. By taking only what is fresh, simple, and healthy into their bodies, they are able to maintain their beauty and strength. The Japanese are not averse to using skin care and beauty products but even their approach to these products echo their food preferences: natural, fresh, and healthy.