The key to successful weight loss may be found halfway around the world.  If you've ever been lucky enough to eat with an Okinawan elder, you've invariably heard them intone this Confucian-inspired adage before beginning the meal: hara hachi bu - a reminder to stop eating when their stomachs are 80 percent full.  The average daily intake of an Okinawan is only about 1,900 calories, significantly less than the average number of calories consumed by a typical American, especially those who are middle-aged.  According to research by USDA, the average American man consumes over 2500 calories, with his food intake reaching its peak when he is in his 40s, topping out at an average of 2692 calories.  For women, the same trend holds true. The average American woman consumes 1766 calories.  Women in their 40s consume more than any other age group with an average daily intake of 1879 calories.  According to the Mayo Clinic Calorie Calculator, an average sized 40-year-old woman only needs 1500 to 1700 calories per day to maintain a healthy body weight, unless she participates in physical exercise most days of the week.  For men, 1900 to 2150 calories are needed to maintain an average sized frame.  So how can learning a simple Okinawan tradition pull these calorie counts into balance?

Why hara hachi bu works

Dr. Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating, has conducted innovative research into food habits.  In repeated experiments he found that eaters were often affected by variables unrelated to whether or not their stomachs were full.  Plates, glasses, food packages, friends, and a wide range of circumstances can all affect how much we consume. For example, Wansink’s experiments showed that people eat 31 percent more if they eat from a 34-ounce bowl compared to a 17-ounce one.  It doesn’t matter which fad a dieter is using, external factors may still cause overeating.  The secret to eating in moderation in the long run is emulating the environment and habits of the Okinawan people. Wansink explains why in Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from People Who’ve Lived the Longest. He says, “There is a significant calorie gap between when an American says, ‘I’m full’ and an Okinawan says, ‘I’m no longer hungry’. We gain weight insidiously, not stuffing ourselves, but eating a little bit too much each day – eating mindlessly.”

Put hara hachi bu into practice

Simple changes in everyday eating habits can help put the secret of hara hachi bu into practice for improved health or for weight loss.  Anyone can make changes to their eating patterns or environment, enjoy food, and learn to eat only until they are 80 percent full.  Get started with these easy tips.