Japan & the Ketogenic Diet
How to Maintain Ketosis Here
This week we’re going to take a break from dissecting how to visit Japan’s offbeat tourist destinations. Instead I want to shed some light on a topic I get asked every now and then by both friends in Japan and tourists alike. How the hell do you manage to maintain a ketogenic diet in a country known for servicing rice with every meal?
Before going any further, let me define the ketogenic diet for those who aren’t in the know. Essentially, the body uses ketones derived from fat instead of glucose for energy. It is a way of eating that mimics fasting physiology. The diet requires that over 80% of calories come from dietary fat making it a challenge in carb-rich Japan.
Since 2016 I’ve experimented a lot with both ketosis and fasting. I have found the former to actually be pretty workable in Japan if you plan in advance. You’ll need to pass on all sorts of delectables but a ketogenic diet is actually pretty easy if you know what to look for. To help, I’ve put together the following five tips to ensure you don’t need to cheat while enjoying Japan.
