© Polina Tankilevitch
Why do people in the Blue Zones live very long and stay healthy? Among other things, because of their diet.
December 18, 2024
Hanja Niederhammer
In the Blue Zones, the regions with the oldest people in the world, the day begins with simple breakfast habits. But what makes these morning routines so special? We show how a Blue Zones breakfast can contribute to health - with tips and recipes.
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Thousands of kilometers and the Pacific Ocean separate Okinawa in Japan and Nicoya in Costa Rica. And yet, like the three other Blue Zones, they share a remarkable feature: Nowhere else do people age so healthily and reach such an advanced age. One key to their secret? Their diet.A Blue Zones breakfast includes local ingredients: goat yogurt, whole grain bread, beans, seasonal fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, and water.
We bring the best from these regions to your breakfast table – inspired by the traditional eating habits of the Blue Zones: simple recipes that you can easily recreate.
Dan Buettner, researcher and author, unveils the secrets of the Blue Zones in his study – those special places where people live longer and healthier. His research shows: The diet in the Blue Zones, including breakfast habits, is a key factor.
Read here: Blue Zones – why people live longer and healthier there
Those who want to have breakfast like the world's longest-lived people focus on these essentials:
© Kuba Dogu
Okinawa: Miso soups have valuable probiotic properties
The morning in Okinawa starts with a hearty combination: A steaming bowl of miso soup, enriched with fresh root vegetables and silky tofu, takes center stage. Typical for the Okinawa diet breakfast is also the purple sweet potato, refined with garlic, sesame oil, and spring onions - a treat for the palate and health. Often served with rice and a cup of green tea.
The sweet potato is a real nutrient wonder, rich in fibers and antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals. Together with the miso soup, which has valuable probiotic properties, and the green tea, which fights inflammation, it makes for a breakfast that energizes and promotes health.
Read here: All about anti-inflammatory nutrition
And the best part:This traditional morning routine is easy to bring into your kitchen. Try our recipe for an Okinawa breakfast soup, which is not only delicious but also a real boost to start the day.
Okinawa diet breakfast soup
Recipe for 2 servings
Ingredients
500 ml vegetable broth2 tbsp light miso paste1 small sweet potato (purple if available)100 g tofu, diced1 small carrot, sliced thinly1 spring onion, sliced into rings1 tsp sesame oil1 clove of garlic, finely chopped1 cup of cooked brown rice (optional)Green tea to serve
Here's how:Peel and dice the sweet potato, and sauté with carrots in sesame oil and garlic. Set aside. Bring the vegetable broth to a boil, stir in the miso paste and then add the tofu and sautéed vegetables.
Let the soup simmer on low heat for 5–7 minutes. Garnish with spring onions and serve optionally with brown rice. Enjoy with a cup of green tea.
On the Greek island of Ikaria, deep in the northern Aegean, the morning begins with a creamy yogurt made from goat's milk, topped with honey and nuts – a true energy supplier, rich in healthy fats and proteins. Seasonal fruits round off this Blue Zones breakfast.
Another highlight of the Ikarian diet is the herbal tea, made from native plants such as oregano, rosemary, sage, or catnip, valued for its anti-inflammatory properties.Why goat milk yogurt? It is not only easy to digest but also an excellent source of protein and supports the absorption of important nutrients.
The combination with nuts, honey, and herbal teas provides an optimal mix of energy and vital substances. The preparation of the Ikarian breakfast is very simple and brings the taste of the Mediterranean island directly to your table. Try our recipe for this Ikaria-inspired Blue Zones breakfast that combines lightness and valuable proteins.
Recipe for 2 servings
Ingredients
400 g goat milk yogurt2 tbsp honey2 tbsp walnuts or almonds, coarsely chopped
Here's how it's done:Divide the yogurt into two bowls, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with the chopped nuts. Done! Tip:Enjoy with fresh seasonal fruits and herbal tea!
On Sardinia, breakfast has a rather unconventional character: instead of sweet or light dishes, many Sardinians opt for a hearty minestrone soup in the morning. This is made from fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta, refined with grated Parmesan, and served with sourdough bread and sheep cheese. Breakfast is often rounded off with a small cup of black coffee.
The beans in the minestrone provide valuable fiber, which promotes gut health and strengthens the immune system.Sourdough bread helps keep blood sugar levels stable, while sheep cheese, thanks to its omega-3 fatty acids, can prevent heart disease.
Read here: The importance of stable blood sugar levels
The Sardinian breakfast shows how regional ingredients and simple preparation can lead to a healthy and satisfying start to the day. And the best part: You can easily try this breakfast yourself – our recipe shows you how!
Recipe for 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil1 small onion, finely chopped1 clove garlic, finely chopped1 carrot, sliced1 stalk celery, sliced1/2 zucchini, diced1 potato, diced200 g chopped tomatoes (canned)750 ml vegetable broth1/2 bay leaf1/2 teaspoon each of dried oregano, rosemary75 g small pasta (e.g., Ditalini)200 g white beans (canned), drained and rinsedSalt and pepper to taste25 g freshly grated ParmesanSourdough breadFeta cheese
Here's how it's done:
Heat olive oil in a pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add carrot, celery, zucchini, and potato, and sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes.Add tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, oregano, and rosemary, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add pasta and beans, cook for another 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf, season with salt, pepper, and Parmesan. Serve the soup hot with sourdough bread and feta cheese.
In Nicoya, the sun-drenched Blue Zone of Costa Rica, the day begins leisurely – because while the garlic and onions slowly simmer, the rooster has crowed at least twice. This slowness is no accident but a conscious part of the philosophy of life – just like the use of regional ingredients.
Gallo Pinto, the traditional Costa Rican breakfast made of rice and black beans, is an expression of this sustainable lifestyle. Accompanied by creamy avocado, sweet papaya, and fluffy rice – and, of course, an aromatic cup of coffee must not be missing. Simple, nutritious, and full of zest for life!
Black beans are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants and help stabilize blood sugar levels. Avocado provides healthy fats that can protect the heart and reduce inflammation, while papaya is rich in vitamin C and aids digestion.The Blue Zone breakfast from Nicoya is not only delicious and easy to prepare but also brings the sunny flavors of Costa Rica directly to your plate.
Recipe for 2 servings
Ingredients
200 g cooked rice (preferably from the day before)200 g cooked black beans (drained)1 small onion, finely chopped1 clove of garlic, finely chopped1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced2 tbsp vegetable oil2 tbsp Salsa Lizano (or Worcestershire sauce as a substitute)Salt and pepper to tasteFresh cilantro, chopped (optional)2 eggs1 avocado, slicedCorn tortillas for serving
Here's how it's done:
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until soft and aromatic. Add black beans and cooked rice, and mix the ingredients well.
Season with Salsa Lizano, salt, and pepper, and let the mixture sit briefly. In a second pan, fry eggs to your liking. Serve the Gallo Pinto with fresh cilantro, avocado, and warm corn tortillas.
Tip:Salsa Lizano is a typical Costa Rican seasoning sauce that gives Gallo Pinto its distinctive flavor. If it's not available, Worcestershire sauce can be used as a substitute.
Who wouldn't wish for a breakfast that could almost grant an extra decade of life? In Loma Linda, the Blue Zone of California, the Seventh-day Adventists start their day just like this – and it's entirely without any hocus pocus. Instead, there's slow-cooked oatmeal with dates and soy milk, paired with a small but fine shot of prune juice.
Sounds simple – but this breakfast is full of fiber, vitamins, and a pinch of Californian calmness, which together make a recipe for health and joie de vivre.Here, they live by the motto of Loma Linda nutrition: “Eat what does the body good – and makes the soul smile.” And the best part? This breakfast is not only nutritious but also so light that you can head straight to the next yoga session or a walk in the sun afterwards. So why not try it out right away?
Recipe for 2 servings
Ingredients
For the oatmeal:100 g rolled oats (preferably whole grain)400 ml soy milk (or another plant-based milk)2 dates, finely chopped1 pinch of cinnamon1 tsp maple syrup (optional)For the plum juice shot:200 ml plum juice (100% juice, no added sugar)A splash of lemon juice
Here's how it's done:
Boil oatmeal with soy milk and let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir in dates and cinnamon, sweeten with maple syrup to taste. Pour the plum juice into a glass and season with a dash of lemon juice. Stir well and serve chilled. Tip:Enhance the porridge with fresh banana slices, chopped nuts, and a hint of flaxseeds or chia seeds.
Read here: This food keeps the brain young!
Absolutely! It's more about using similar ingredients and focusing on local vegetables when possible.
No, the recipes vary by region. However, the common focus is on unprocessed, pure foods. Oats are especially popular in Loma Linda, California.
Researcher Dan Buettner studied the Blue Zones to unlock the secrets of longevity and health. His studies on lifestyle and diet are world-renowned and inspire conscious living.
© Adobe Stock
Ikaria: Rich in healthy fats and proteins – goat milk yogurt with nuts
© Pixabay
Sardinia: A warm minestrone for breakfast
© Freepiks
Nicoya: Black beans are an excellent source of fiber.
© Freepiks
Loma Linda: nutrient-rich, vegan porridge
