A traditional ryokan dinner set may be the answer to your nutritional needs, offering a colorful variety of healthy protein, carbs, and fats.
The traditional ryokan dinner set is known for its huge selection of small Japanese dishes that make up a nutritional palette of our daily dietary needs. Carbs, protein, and healthy fats are the keys to living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a well-rounded physique.
Carbs
Nowadays, carbohydrates have received a rather unwelcoming reception in the world of health and fitness. Truthfully, however, not all carbs are bad, and consuming carbs in combination with daily exercise can improve digestion, blood flow, and energy levels.
Japan is a relatively active society with most citizens doing a great deal of walking, running, or cycling on a daily basis, albeit for commute purposes. Hence, it comes as no surprise that rice is a staple of the Japanese diet, and it’s certainly no stranger to the ryokan dinner set.
In addition to a fresh bowl of steamed rice with vegetables, the ryokan dinner set also typically includes a small bowl of soba or udon noodle soup. This dish is usually served cold during hotter seasons, and hot during colder seasons, helping you regulate your body temperature.
Not only does this give more variety to your carb intake, but the presence of light salty soup contributes to your daily salt intake without going overboard, keeping you lively and alert.
Protein
Of course, no dinner is complete without some protein, which is absolutely essential for iron, zinc, and magnesium. Salmon and tuna sashimi are some of the best ways to get your daily protein, offering the unique benefits of fish such as omega-3, iodine, and vitamin.
One of the great things about sashimi is its healthy unsaturated fats which support cell function without clogging up your arteries. In addition to its deliciously refreshing flavor, raw fish has the extra bonus of being free of cooking oils and chemicals that are often present in cooked meats.
Too much raw fish can become a problem though, introducing potential risks of bacteria contamination if consumed excessively. Balancing your fish intake with some lightly cooked fish can be beneficial, and the ryokan dinner set makes sure this is the case.
Admittedly, the whole cooked fish dish is difficult to take apart, which often deters foreigners from enjoying its delicious health benefits. Lightly seared on the outside and cooked throughout the inside, the meat on this fish is quite dry, offering pure protein with minimal fat from cooking oil.
Perhaps the “naughtiest” part of the ryokan dinner set is the “shabu shabu” meat, comprising thinly sliced beef cooked in a hot pot of water. Truthfully, this type of cooking is relatively healthy compared to pan frying, allowing you to enjoy the delicious taste of tender juicy meat without deteriorating your health.
To get all the benefits of protein, it is important to have a balanced diet of fish and red meats. The unique vitamins and minerals offered by shabu shabu meat include vitamins B-12, iron, and zinc, which help in muscle growth and brain cell function.
Healthy fats
When it comes to daily protein needs, it’s not all about the meat. The Japanese ryokan dinner set offers lightly flavored tofu dishes that are high in protein and unsaturated fat.
Tofu is high in soy isoflavones which are known to help reduce belly fat. When combined with the muscle growth benefits of sashimi protein and the energizing properties of rice and noodle carbs, tofu is the ultimate top-up to the nutritious ryokan dinner set!
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!