健康食品
kenkō shokuhin
The Japanese phrase for healthy food is 健康食品 (kenkō shokuhin).
健康食品 is most commonly used when referring to dietary supplements, functional foods or products that are specifically marketed for their health benefits. If you are describing food that is low-fat, you can use the adjective 低脂肪 or if you are describing food that is organic, you can use 有機.
What does it mean word for word?
The first part of the phrase, 健康 (kenkō), means 'health'.
Which one should you use?
健康食品 refers specifically to marketed health products or supplements.
How do you pronounce it?
kenkō shokuhin
When do people say it?
Traditional Japanese dishes, known as 和食, are well-regarded for their balanced nutrition and health benefits.
Did you know?
- The Japanese dietary habit of 腹八分目 (hara hachibunme) suggests eating until you are only eighty percent full to maintain long-term health.
- The concept of 食養生 (shokuyōjō) treats food as a form of medical treatment to maintain health and prevent illness.
- Because 健康食品 sounds quite formal and commercial, using it to describe your own cooking might sound like you are marketing your meal to your friends.
Examples in context
- 友人: そうだね、ヘルシーフードがいいね！Friend: Yeah, healthy food sounds good!
- 最近は健康食品が流行っていますね。Saikin wa kenkou shokuhin ga hayatte imasu ne.Healthy food products are popular lately, aren't they?
- この店は健康食品を売っています。Kono mise wa kenkou shokuhin o utte imasu.This shop sells healthy food products.
- 健康食品を定期的に飲みます。Kenkou shokuhin o teikiteki ni nomimasu.I take healthy food supplements regularly.
Example conversation
陽太 and 美咲 are talking about a gift for her grandmother.
- 陽太 Yotaおばあさんに健康食品を贈りませんか？Obaasan ni kenkou shokuhin o okurimasen ka?Why don't we give your grandmother some healthy food products?
- 美咲 Misakiそれはいいアイデアですね。Sore wa ii aidea desu ne.That is a good idea.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんは何かおすすめがありますか？Misaki-san wa nani ka osusume ga arimasu ka?Misaki, do you have any recommendations?
- 美咲 Misaki有名な健康食品を調べてみます。Yuumei na kenkou shokuhin o shirabete mimasu.I will look up some famous healthy food products.
