The Okinawan diet is modeled after the traditional diet of the people of the Ryukyu Islands. They are renowned for a high life expectancy and low occurrences of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
To eat like the Okinawans, select a diet with plenty of whole grains, vegetables, tofu and konbu seaweed. Eat several servings of fish a week, and enjoy squid and octopus. Special vegetables include purple sweet potatoes and bitter cucumbers. You can also include turmeric and jasmine tea for their antioxidant power.