Nordic Diet
The Nordic Diet is a healthful way of consuming Scandinavia’s (Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and their connected territories) wild oily fishes, native berries, whole grains, cold-climate vegetables and more game. It is a traditional style of eating and is quite similar to the Mediterranean Diet.
Following the Nordic Diet will help improve your blood lipid profile and insulin sensitivity. It will also lower blood pressure and aid in weight loss for overweight people.
This diet emphasizes on lesser consumption of red meat. When there’s a need for you to eat meat, it should be high quality and lean. Consuming oily fish will increase healthy omega-3 fats and decrease the level of unwanted and unhealthy saturated fats. Lesser meat, more fish!
Berries that are red and purple in color are very high in antioxidants. These berries help prevent cancer, strokes and heart diseases. Instead of eating crackers and crisps, snack on berries.
Rye breads are low in sodium. Eating whole grains of rye will help prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, weight gain and cancer.
Vegetables rich in fiber, foliate, potassium, iron, magnesium, vitamins B6 and C are important while on this diet. In the cold weather, Scandinavians eat lots of potatoes and other starchy foods. They eat fruits and vegetables whether it is hot or cold, as a side dish or with their main dish. Potatoes are mainly boiled.
Nordic Diet encourages the use of canola oil instead of the others. It is low in saturated fat but is rich in heart-healthy monosaturated fats.
Other important principles to remember while on the Nordic Diet are
- Consume organic and high quality foods
- Avoid foods with preservatives
- Eat more fruits and vegetables such as blueberry, lingonberry, broccoli, apple, pear
- Eat nuts that are mainly almond
- Eat legumes like brown beans, yellow peas and green peas
- Only eat meat and poultry like reindeer, lamb, pork, beef, turkey, chicken
- Consume dairy products like fermented milk, low fat milk, cheese
- Eat fishes like salmon, mackerel, herring
Celebrities like Alexander Skarsgard and Lara Stone have tried the Nordic Diet.
Eating low-temperature cooked meals like baking and boiling helps keep the nutritional value of the foods.
Related Pages
- Guide to Analyzing Diets
- Comparison of diets — a complete list
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