A healthy approach to Japan's autumn eats

Autumn is such a good time for food in Japan, with seasonal treats galore. While I'm very happy to enjoy all of it, being in my 40s has made me a little more mindful about what I'm eating.

I recently came across some advice aimed at people in their 30s and 40s about enjoying autumn's abundance while still looking after your health. Rather than suggesting we just eat less, the focus is on the overall balance of meals and making good use of seasonal ingredients.

The advice highlighted fiber-rich foods such as mushrooms, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, and persimmons. Adding mushrooms to miso soup, vegetables to a side dish, or fruit to breakfast are all simple ways to get more variety without completely changing how you eat.

I also liked the reminder that healthy eating doesn't have to mean being perfect. For me, small habits that I can actually stick with are much more realistic than completely overhauling my diet.