Almost everyone’s on a health kick these days. However, people around the globe have been eating a lot healthier than us for years. It’s not a trend for them! Here are ten traditional diets from across the world that’ll show you how to actually eat well because a healthy diet doesn’t have to be boring. Instead, it can be something enjoyable or even something you look forward to.
Featured Image Credit: Kzenon /Depositphotos.com.
Not Just Food, It’s a Lifestyle
Dreaming about lounging by the sea in Italy, enjoying a leisurely meal? Then you should try the Mediterranean diet. It’s focused on fruits, veggies, whole grains & a good glug of olive oil. You can still eat fish but not red meat. Sharing meals with family and friends is also an important part of this diet. After all, how you enjoy your food is what counts and actually having fun with your food might make you eat a lot better.
Simple and Seasonal
Japan keeps it simple and fresh. The focus here is on seasonal foods with minimal processing—think rice, fish, tofu, as well as heaps of veggies & seaweed. It’s a diet low in fat but big on flavor and nutrition that helps people live longer & healthier lives. The presentation is just as important as the taste for Japanese people. We eat with our eyes first!
A Spice Lover’s Dream
India takes vegetarian cuisine to the next level. Their food tends to be loaded with lentils, grains and all the spices you can think of. It’s a diet that’s as colorful as it is nutritious! Turmeric and ginger, for example, have plenty of health benefits and the ethical side of the diet stands up, too. Most Indian food is meat-free or even vegan.
Cold Climate, Warm Meals
While Scandinavia might be cold, the Nordic diet is centered around warming, hearty meals. These include fatty fish & whole grains. A large part of the diet is also plant-based, too. It’s similar to the Mediterranean yet different in the fact that they use canola oil instead of olive oil. It turns out that comfort food can actually be healthy—and yet just as delicious.
Savoring the Good Stuff
France is the land of cheese, wines—and surprisingly healthy people! The secret to the French diet is small portions & savoring high-quality food. They’ll eat whole-grain bread & full-fat yogurt yet rarely be overweight since their portions are relatively small. Plus, they believe meals are meant to be enjoyed, not rushed. It makes eating a mindful experience. You think about what you’re eating yet you also enjoy it.
Beyond Tacos and Burritos
Before fast food, Mexico’s diet revolved around corn, beans, squash, tomatoes, chilies & avocados. Together, this diet gave locals all the nutrients they could ask for. You can still find some people eating a traditional Mexican diet today. Yet the real beauty of this diet comes from its simplicity. You don’t need to splurge for a healthy diet. Instead, eating the right food and enough of it is good.
Injera and Teff Galore
Ethiopia’s staple, injera, is a sourdough flatbread made from teff which is a super nutritious grain. As part of this diet, you pair it with lentils, beans & veggies for a meal that’s rich in fiber & iron. They also use meat as a side dish rather than the main. Imagine that—getting your greens on your plate without your meal being too boring. It’s not even that restricting either!
Fermented Foods for the Win
In South Korea, people are huge supporters of eating fermented foods like kimchi. Their meals are vegetable-heavy with just a bit of meat instead of the meat focus that many of us Americans seem to love. While it might sound strange, they’re not—fermented foods improve your digestion & immunity. These come with a variety of side dishes, or banchan, to make sure that eating is always an adventure.
Olive Oil and Wild Greens
The Greek diet is similar to the Mediterranean diet but the focus is more on wild greens, herbs—and lots of olive oil. The diet is rich in antioxidants & healthy fats. Unlike the Mediterranean diet, Greek people will eat a little more meat, namely lamb. You’ll realize that food doesn’t need to be complicated to be nutritious once you’ve tried this diet. In fact, it can be quite fun.
A Feast for the Senses
Morocco’s cuisine is a mix of colors and flavors, thanks to spices like cumin and saffron. Moroccans mix this with some meats, grains & veggies for a deliciously balanced meal. Better yet, cooking in tagines retains the nutritional goodness of food. As such, each meal is a healthy delight!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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