Nutrition experts rave about the Nordic diet. As the name suggests, the Nordic diet consists of foods that are locally sourced and traditionally eaten in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Typically, the Nordic diet includes whole grains such as rye, barley and oats; berries and other fruits; vegetables, especially cabbage and root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots; fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring; and legumes (beans and peas).
Many call it the New Nordic Diet, which has evolved into a new food culture developed in 2009-13 with a focus on gastronomy, health and the environment. The New Nordic Diet is based on Nordic ingredients but applicable around the world.
Unlike the Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil, it favors canola (canola) oil, which is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. And it also contains some alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid similar to the omega-3s found in fish.
Canola oil may help lower bad LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart disease and stroke. It’s possible that canola oil is better at lowering bad cholesterol and improving heart health. The diet emphasizes avoiding processed foods and most high-fat meats, such as sausage or bacon.
Health Benefits of the Nordic Diet –
Its health benefits are listed below:
• A comprehensive study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that both the Mediterranean and Nordic diets reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Diet may also contribute to weight loss. A study from the University of Eastern Finland also found that diet regulates the expression of genes linked to inflammation, which are thought to contribute to many chronic health problems and play a role in obesity.
• Processed foods are tastier, leading to overeating and weight gain. Because the Nordic diet mitigates the consumption of processed foods, it prevents overeating and the resulting weight gain.
• Eating a more plant-based diet is better for the environment as there are far fewer greenhouse gas emissions. About 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions come from animal husbandry. It has been reported that factory farming for meat production contributes more to global warming than all planes, trains, buses and cars combined.
the cross –
The Mediterranean diet is considered to be the best as far as health benefits are concerned. Now there’s another diet that’s making a name for itself in the culinary world for its health benefits. This is the Nordic diet.
In many ways, it’s very similar to the Mediterranean diet, but uses canola oil instead of olive oil. It also differs in the range of products that are grown locally, depending on the region’s climate, soil and water.
Therefore, it encompasses both the health and well-being of the individual and environmental sustainability.
Thanks to Dr. Pran Rangan
