Being in Japan can be a little bit challenging…at least when you’re wanting to lose weight and on a diet. There are several cafes and restaurants everywhere that offer new and delectable sweets every season that it’s hard to ignore. But if you are health conscious there are actually many Japanese sweets that not only it’s good for your body but also low in calories and fat, you don’t need to hold your sweet tooth!
Healthy Sweets For You
In this article, we will introduce 5 japanese healthy ingredients found in desserts and sweets that have amazing health benefits such as aiding weight loss, helps improve digestion and even lower your blood sugar levels. Yes, it still has sugar because they are sweets after all but they are good for your body. So here it is.
1. Azuki Beans
The red beans are a favorite in Japan and can be found as a filling to many snacks and desserts. It is rich in fiber, manganese and protein which helps improve your digestion, makes you fill up easily and is delicious. It is also known to lower risk in heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Azuki beans are found in many desserts such as daifuku, anpan, dorayaki, taiyaki, mochi, dango and many more.
2. Black Sesame
Black sesame has amazing health benefits and is considered as a superfood. The small, oily seeds are rich in nutrients such as vitamin E, iron and fatty acids which keeps your hair and skin healthy. It is also high in protein, fiber, antioxidants and lignans which protects against cancer and healthy omega 3 which aids a healthy digestion. Moreover, It is also known as good for lactating moms for it is packed with B vitamins. You might see black sesame ice cream in the parlors and it is worth a try. You’ll have an earthy and nutty taste which compliments the sweetness of ice cream.
3. Kinako
A traditional soy powder made from roasted soy beans, Kinako is usually a sprinkled topping to many desserts with a nutty, peanut-like taste. It is rich in protein and fiber which helps reduce constipation and improves intestinal health. It also aids weight loss and low in carbohydrates. And it is also known as high in isoflavone, a nutrient that is good for your skin and helps improve your metabolism. You can have kinako in desserts like kinako ice cream, kinako candy, kakigori (shaved ice), daifuku, kuzumochi and botamochi.
4. Kanten
Agar agar or kanten is a jelly-like ingredient made from algae which is used to solidify ingredients. The clear seaweed is rich in calcium, fiber and is a good source of iron. It is also calorie-free so you can definitely enjoy eating this in a dessert. You can find kanten in desserts like yokan, a traditional sweets with jello and red bean paste, puddings, and fruit jellos. Kanten is filling to eat but it is also known to facilitate bowel movements and stabilise cholesterol levels.
5. Kuzu
Kuzu is a thickening ingredient usually for sauces which are rich in fiber. It is also good to alleviate fever and cold symptoms, lowers blood pressure and relieves allergic reaction.
Kuzukiri is a dessert that has kuzu on it which looks like a glossy and long transparent noodle dipped in a cold sweet soup. The wonderful ingredient also promotes a healthy digestion and lowers your cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
Excited to eat some healthy desserts now? Which ingredient in the list do you want in your sweets? You can improve your health in these delicious ingredients at the same time, not sacrifice your cravings for a little sugary treat. Let us know in the comments below what your favorite sweets are for your diet.
References: https://savvytokyo.com/healthy-japanese-sweets-to-keep-an-eye-out-for-if-youre-on-a-diet/
https://www.279victoriast.co/journal/good-well-with-sweets-the-healthy-soybeans-powder-kinako
BY LA