The Okinawa diet plan goes beyond the food to understanding the science behind how it works. They consume much more carbohydrates than the average person and less of protein. More so, their primary source of protein is food derived from plants, rather than animal or dairy products.
It emphasizes vegetables and soy products alongside occasional — and small — amounts of noodles, rice, pork, and fish. In recent years, the modernization of food production and dietary habits has led to a shift in the macronutrient content of the Okinawa diet.
Rice did not grow well on Okinawa, but the traditional diet did feature other grains, like millet. Legumes are the third largest component of the Okinawa diet. However, they only make up 5 percent of the total calories consumed if you follow the diet. The remaining dietary calories are from fatty foods, sugary foods and animal products.
Miso soup is also a popular breakfast dish. While the Okinawa diet is heavily plant-based, it still involves meat and seafood. All parts of an animal were consumed — even things like pig ears and feet. This means that Okinawa vegan recipes weren't actually that common.