Rice, noodles, and bread are the backbone of Japanese cuisine. In such a society, achieving a high-protein diet is challenging, but possible.
In many ways, Japan is “the land of carbs.” Every convenience store, restaurant, and grocery seems to revolve around rice, noodles, and bread. So how does one achieve a high protein diet in such a carb-based society? Let’s find out!
Try Sashimi!
Raw fish has been associated with Japanese cuisine for as long as anyone can remember, offering delicious tuna and salmon sashimi varieties.
High in protein and healthy fats, you can purchase trays of these delicious delicacies at affordable prices in Japanese supermarkets.
Given Japan’s specialty in the preparation of fresh sashimi varieties, leveraging on their widespread supply of raw fish and its affordability compared to other countries can be a rewarding endeavor.
Protein Supplements
If you’re on some kind of fitness journey or just really like lifting weights, having quick access to protein is key for muscle growth and recovery.
Fortunately, you can often find protein supplements such as SAVAS milk protein at convenience stores, supermarkets, and sometimes even at your local gym’s vending machines!
It’s also quite common to see protein jellies, protein bars, and other various protein-packed supplements at stores like FamilyMart and 7-Eleven.
From my experience, protein powders can be a rarity unless you know where to look.
I suggest searching in pharmaceutical markets for these types of pre-workout and post-workout supplements.
Yakitori!
Perhaps one of the tastiest ways to get a high protein fix is by dining at a yakitori restaurant.
These restaurants offer countless varieties of grilled chicken and vegetable skewers that are high in protein.
The only downside is they are often seasoned quite well with tasty sauces and spices that add to the fat intake, so it’s not something to have everyday if you’re on a health journey.
Nevertheless, I find having a yakitori session once a month or so can be a great way of accelerating my muscle growth after weeks of training and eating clean, making it a delicious treat that’s also beneficial to your workouts.
Aussie Steaks!
It’s not like you can’t get beef and chicken at Japanese grocery stores, just that they often come in small portions or are high in fats, especially wagyu beef which has a ton of marbling.
For those seeking a leaner steak, you’ll often find Australian steaks at supermarkets in Japan.
My guess is they are quite popular because of their lower fat composition compared to that of standard Japanese beef which is often used for yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) and hotpot.
Luckily, Japan isn’t just the land of carbs, but it’s also the land of eggs! Topping up your Aussie steak with some quality pan-cooked eggs can be a fantastic way of upping that protein intake!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!