Could this Japanese phrase be the key to a longer and leaner life?

Okinawa, Japan, is home to a nation of people who are among the healthiest on the planet. In fact, the Okinawans are found in one of the 'Blue Zone’ hot spots, or regions where people live extraordinarily long and healthy lives. So, what’s their secret?

While they already follow a range of healthy lifestyle practices like having a close network of friends and a keen sense of purpose, the Okinawans also abide by an old adage before the beginning of every meal – hara hachi bu - which roughly means ‘eat until you're 80% full’. Simple, no?

The combination of calorie restriction and eating mindfully is part of the reason Okinawa has a higher percentage of centenarians than anywhere else in the world.

Given we tend to ignore the satiating signals our belly sends to our brain when we’re enjoying a tasty meal, the idea of stopping at 80% may seem impossible. But, it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how:

Don’t get hungry: Eating when you’re ravenous will likely end in over-eating. Instead, don’t let yourself get to that level of hunger. Check in with yourself throughout the day and keep healthy snacks on hand, like a handful of nuts or veggie sticks.

Eat slowly: When you’re hungry, you can tend to wolf down your food. This doesn’t give your stomach time to digest, which means you miss the cues that you’ve had enough. Instead, take your time, chew mindfully, and you’ll realise you’re full much quicker than usual. Remember, it takes 20 minutes for your body to register you’ve eaten enough!

Focus on food: If you’re going to eat, just eat. Remove any distractions, like the television or other devices. It will help you eat mindfully because you’ll pay more attention to your food, eat slower and savour each bite.

Fill up on plants: Filling up on veggies is a great way to get a boost of nutrients and feel fuller. If you can, aim to fill at least half your plate with a range of colourful veggies.

Resetting your muscle memory: Your stomach becomes accustomed to eating a certain amount of food - if you’re used to overly-large meals, your stomach will be too. By slowly reducing the amount you eat at each meal, your stomach will also get used to smaller portion sizes and you’ll be less likely to overeat.

Even if you only try this method a few times a week, the concept is a good lesson in moderation and restraint and a welcome reminder to take our time and enjoy our meals.