Food is an essential part of life that keeps us alive and healthy. It can also be the source of many illnesses, and therefore, reducing our lifespan. Just about everyone knows that if they were to eat healthier, they wouldn’t have any health problems or prevent problems from forming. Unfortunately, it can be hard to eat a balanced and nutritious meal all the time, simply because many people may not realize what is actually healthy and what options they have for food. Here are some of the healthiest diets from around the world with the most nutritional food sources.
The Asian Diet
Asia is the largest continent on the planet, so there are many different diets that can be found in each of the 48 countries, though there are some commonalities found among several different Asian cuisines. Many Asian diets focus on whole grains (such as rice), fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and legumes. As for protein, these dishes focus on fish, rather than red meats. They also limit their intake of eggs, poultry, dairy products, and especially sugary desserts. As far as drinks go, many Asian cultures focus on drinking a lot of tea and water.
The Mediterranean Diet
Like the Asian diet, the Mediterranean diet encompasses cuisine from several different countries, with this diet focusing on the countries surrounding the Mediterranean sea in Southern Europe and North Africa. This is a very popular diet that many people try because the people living in this region tend to suffer less health issues and live longer. The bulk of the Mediterranean diet focuses on vegetables and fruit, whole grains, beans and legumes, fatty oils and nuts, and herbs and spices. The next largest portion of this diet is seafood: fish, shrimp, and oysters. They eat a very limited amount of dairy, eggs, and poultry, and even less red meat and sweets.
The Nordic Diet
This diet was created to include influences from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. This is a lifestyle-type diet that focuses on consuming locally-sourced foods that are in season, spending time with family and friends, and being mindful of the environment. The Nordic diet consists of 10 concepts:
- Consume more vegetables and fruits on a daily basis.
- Eat more whole grains, as opposed to refined grains.
- Consume more freshwater fish (from lakes), whether you get your tackle kit from Tailored Tackle to catch your own fish or buy from the market. Some saltwater fish (from the sea) is good too.
- Eat less meat (beef, pork, and poultry), but high-quality meat is okay.
- Consume more food from nature.
- Eat organic whenever possible.
- Consume foods that don’t include any additives.
- Eat seasonally (choosing fruits and vegetables that are in season).
- Cook at home as much as possible.
- Reduce the amount of waste used to make food.
The Nordic diet is a good diet to try, especially if you want to be more sustainable, but consult your doctor before starting this diet.
Other Healthy Diets
There are several other diet trends that are known to be extremely healthy as well. These include the vegetarian diet (eliminating all meat from your diet), the vegan diet (eliminating all animal products from your meals), and the pescatarian diet (eliminating all meat except fish). Since these diets are very restrictive, it’s important to make sure that you get all of your essential nutrients from other sources, whether it be other types of food that adhere to the dietary restrictions, or through the use of supplements.
Conclusion
When thinking about starting a new diet, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider first. Though all of these diets are healthy, some may be restricting you from getting certain vitamins and minerals you may need. This is important because some people have vitamin/mineral deficiencies that they may not be aware of. Both you and your doctor can work together to determine the best diet for you.
