The Asian Diet

Trying to describe the huge variety of diets in the Asian continent with one list of foods is tough, but Oldways has given it a shot. Japanese, traditional Chinese, Indian, and Thai cuisines may differ in the specific ingredients, but they do have some commonalities: Rice is often central, and plant-based foods are the centerpiece of the diet. Be careful if you're eating restaurant meals in this country, though; General Tso's chicken, despite its name, is not a traditional Chinese dish, and it is laden with calories and fat. The food watchdogs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest have a handy guide for eating healthfully in Chinese restaurants.