What is “one soup, three dishes”?
"One soup and three dishes" is said to be the basis of Japanese food.
It is a menu that combines rice, the staple food of the Japanese people, with soup and three side dishes.
It is a well-balanced meal that provides the body with the three nutrients it needs for energy, bodybuilding, and physical conditioning.
Details of One Soup, Three Dishes
Staple Foods
Staple foods serve to supply carbohydrates such as white rice or brown rice as a source of energy. For Japanese cuisine, rice is the staple food; for Western cuisine, bread is the staple food.
Rice contains more carbohydrates and fiber and is more filling than bread, which helps prevent snacking.
Brown rice and cereal rice are more nutritious than regular white rice because they contain more minerals and vitamins.
Soup
Soup is defined as miso soup or broth.
Soup plays the role of rehydration, and the nutritional value of the supplement varies depending on the ingredients. If you add more ingredients, it becomes more filling and can be counted as a side dish from a nutritional standpoint.
The next three dishes are divided into main, side, and side dishes.
Main Dishes
Main dishes are the main side dishes. It uses protein-rich ingredients such as meat, fish, and eggs.
The same ingredients can be cooked in different ways, such as baking or steaming, and different seasonings are used depending on the cooking method, resulting in different nutrients and calories to be taken in.
Side Dishes
Side dishes are side dishes made from vegetables, mushrooms, and seaweed. They provide vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
If you bring oily dishes such as stir-fried or deep-fried dishes for the main dish, side dishes should be light and refreshing dishes such as salad or boiled vegetables. By doing so, the overall energy balance and calorie content can be adjusted.
If you do not have time to cook, even a salad with assorted raw vegetables can be counted as a side dish.
Second Side Dishes
In side dishes, we look at the overall nutritional balance and make up for what is lacking.
A refreshing menu such as marinated vegetables or vinegared dishes is recommended. If cooking is troublesome, fruits can also be applied.
Benefits of One Soup, Three Dishes
Next, we will introduce the benefits of consuming one soup and three dishes.
Easy to maintain nutritional balance
Because one soup and three dishes use many ingredients, it is easy to adjust the nutritional balance.
For example, if you have only one side dish, it is difficult to include meat, many vegetables, and seaweed in one dish.
With one soup and three dishes, any nutrients missed in the main dish can be taken in the side dishes and side dishes, making it easy to maintain a good nutritional balance.
Prevention of overeating
Placing food on a plate for each person makes it easier to know how much you have eaten and helps prevent overeating.
Prevention of excessive salt intake
By eating a one-soup, three-course meal, you can keep track of the salt content of each dish, thus preventing excessive salt intake.
For example, it is easy to adjust the dishes, such as, "Overall, there is too much salt, so let's not eat pickles.
Points to keep in mind when eating a one soup, three dishes
At first glance, the one soup, three dishes may seem to be full of benefits, but there are some things to be careful about when eating the one soup, three dishes.
Even if you go to the trouble of eating a one soup, three dishes, if you ignore the precautions, you may not reap the full benefits of the one soup, three dishes.
Do not use the same ingredients
If you use the same ingredients in a one soup, three dishes, the nutrients you receive may become unbalanced.
The good thing about a one soup, three dishes is that it provides a good balance of various nutrients in a single meal, so try to use as many different ingredients as possible.
Do not use the same cooking methods
One soup and three dishes can prevent excessive salt and oil intake by using different cooking methods, such as stir-frying the main dish and making boiled rice as a side dish.
Also, by using different cooking methods, you can enjoy a variety of textures and flavors, which makes meals more enjoyable.
Be careful about oil and salt.
Be careful not to use too many seasonings such as soy sauce and miso, which are commonly used in Japanese cooking, because they contain a lot of salt.
To reduce salt content, it is preferable to use lighter seasonings. However, lightly seasoned dishes may seem unsatisfactory. In such cases, you can use dashi or umami seasoning to make dishes with less salt while maintaining the same delicious taste.
It is also healthier not to consume too much oil.
Eating too much oil can easily lead to lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Therefore, when frying, use less oil and be careful not to use too much mayonnaise or dressing.
Summary
At first glance, one soup and three dishes may seem time-consuming and troublesome, but there is of course nothing wrong with preparing them in moderation.
In addition, continuing to live a one soup and three dishes lifestyle will bring about positive changes in your health.
We encourage you to find your favorite tableware from Cotowaku and continue to enjoy living a one-soup-three-course meal lifestyle.
