The (not so new) Nordic Diet – Is THIS how to live longer?
Move over Mediterranean diet, the Nordic diet is the new must-do eating regime to lose weight and live longer.
Well it is if you’ve read the headlines, and even the studies, that have shown that the Nordic diet is actually quite healthy.
Women’s glossy Prima Magazine recently did a write up and asked me to contribute.
You can read their article here.
The Nordic diet was created in 2004 by a group of nutritionists, scientists and chefs, and is based around the traditional foods and eating habits of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.
It contains less sugar, less fat, twice the fiber, and twice the fish and seafood of the average Western diet.
One report showed that residents of both countries also had particularly high life expectancies which suggests the Nords have got it nailed.
So what exactly are they eating?
Well, Nordic diet staples include lots of whole-grain rich foods such as rye bread, barley cereals and oats (which is handy, because we’re approaching porridge season).
They also eat lots of berries, vegetables (in particular cabbage and root veg like carrots and potatoes) and fatty fish – so salmon, herring and mackerel are on the menu. Legumes, like beans and peas, also rank high on the Nord’s store cupboard check-list.
What do I think?
This was my response when Prima Magazine asked me my opinion on the Nordic Diet:
‘The Nordic diet contains some very nutritious foods. They really emphasise real rather than processed foods, and particularly prefer to eat seasonally, which is not only better for the environment but local fresh produce that hasn’t had to travel contains more nutrients,’ she explained.
‘Fish, especially oily ones, are the best source of omega 3 fats which most people could do with more of,’ she continued, ‘Berries are very high in antioxidants but one of the lowest sugar fruits. And dairy contains a good mix of protein, fat and carbohydrates, plus various minerals like calcium as well as vitamins A D E & K, and live yoghurt is full of gut friendly bacteria.’
But the health and nutrition expert also reassured us that you don’t need live off fish and grains forever: ‘Of course, you don’t have to follow the Nordic diet strictly, you can just eat more of these foods.’
Should you follow the Nordic diet? Not necessarily. But you could try eating more health foods, like fish, berries, and if you tolerate dairy, natural yoghurt. I’d just call that common sense!
Have you any experience of the Nordic diet or incorporating any of it’s principals? Did you feel better for it? Let me know in the comments below.