Continued from The Mediterranean Diet.

The Asian Diet Compared to rural China, death from heart disease in the United States is nearly 17 times more common in men and nearly 6 times more common in women. Researchers credit the traditional Asian diet, along with a more active lifestyle.

The traditional diets of China, Japan, and much of the rest of Asia are models of plant-based eating: rice or noodles at the center of the plate, a wide variety of fruits, greens, and other vegetables, and protein often in the form of soy foods and heart-healthy fish.

There is little red meat or dairy, so saturated fats are generally low. Calcium comes from calcium-rich vegetables and calcium-enriched soy foods.

Unlike the Mediterranean diet, the Asian diet is usually quite low in total fat. Because fat is high in calories, it’s an eating pattern that’s helpful if you’re trying to keep your weight in check. As anyone who has delved into Asian cuisine knows, it’s also a delicious way to eat.

One caveat: Chinese restaurants in the United States often cater to our high-fat, meat-loving ways, so make it a point to order steamed dishes and extra vegetables, and skip the crispy deep-fried entrees. Better yet, cook in this style at home.