The New Year's resolution to lose weight is probably the most popular of all. Some people re-apply it every year, even though they know it has never worked. You can change your weight loss and healthy life with the Mediterranean diet, which has been proven for decades to be the most successful way to create healthy lifestyle habits.
What is the Nordic diet?
The Nordic diet is based on food that is seasonal and grown naturally. The specialty of the Nordic diet is that it advocates eating meals at the table with friends or family, which is very specific to most Scandinavian countries. Many experts compare the Nordic diet to the paleo diet. In contrast to the paleo diet, the Nordic diet, in addition to natural farmed seafood, more emphasis is placed on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The emphasis is on natural food production, as such food contains more nutrients and is therefore tastier. Many experts claim that maintaining a Nordic diet leads to lower blood pressure and improved heart health.
The Nordic diet is based on food that is seasonal and grown naturally.Photo: Dan Gold / Unsplash
Basic principles of the Nordic diet
The key foods consumed in the Nordic diet are fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood and quality meats such as veal, beef and poultry (skinless). The goal is to consume food in relationship carbohydrates vs. protein 2:1, although for many, a higher carbohydrate intake does not seem like a promising way to lose weight.
It is important to emphasize that this diet not based on the short term weight loss, but on creating healthy and sustainable habits that will lead to long-term weight loss. However, in the Nordic diet it is important that they have carbohydrates low glycemic index.
The glycemic index tells how quickly the blood sugar level rises after eating a certain type of food. Foods with a high glycemic index, such as dates, rice and white bread, should be consumed in limited quantities. It is recommended to eat food with a moderate and low glycemic index, as it releases insulin into the blood more slowly.
Key foods consumed in the Nordic diet are fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood, and quality meats such as veal, beef, and poultry.Photo: Karolin Baitinger / Unsplash
It is in the Nordic diet almost all vegetables are allowed. The most recommended are root vegetables such as turnips, onions and radishes. Fruits such as apples, pears, berries, fresh figs, mangoes, fresh nectarines, oranges and peaches have a low glycemic index and are therefore allowed.
Food in bulk measure is based on carbohydrates, such as whole grain rice, whole grain pasta, barley, rye, peas, red beans, sweet potatoes, buckwheat and oatmeal - these products also have low glycemic index. As there is a greater emphasis on seafood, it is recommended to eat sardines, which are rich in omega 3, white fish and salmon, which are rich in natural fats. You can treat yourself to chocolate with a cocoa content of 70 % or more.
Experts point out that you should definitely try to introduce some principles of the Nordic diet into your life and try to change your habits for the better.
Photo: Nadie Primeau/Unsplash
