Do you know what makes one country healthy? The low cancer and pollution rates? Higher than the average life expectancy? Or maybe the access to affordable medical care before any condition turns serious?

If you gave answer to these questions with a yes then you are absolutely right. Obesity is one of the biggest issues in the world we live in today.

Healthiest Countries Eat

Healthiest Countries Eat

According to the World Health Organization, the worldwide obesity has doubled since the year 1980 until today. What is especially alarming is the rate in which obesity in children is developing.

There are severe effects from the obesity in children, among which are cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and many more.But the worst news by far is that most of the population which are suffering from obesity are also suffering from malnourishment.

And how is that possible when they seem to be eating plenty? Well, because the processed foods are a cheaper version, and are unfortunately packed with sugar, empty calories and harmful ingredients instead of healthy nutrients, the children tend to choose them over a healthy meal more with each passing day.

All of this leads to a thicker waistline, and that leads to an increased risk of a heart attack. It has also been related to elevated blood sugar levels and blood pressure levels, and it is the number one cause of death in the United States.

The US is at the top of the list of countries that have the highest rates of obesity. The other countries that are on that list, including France, Spain, Norway and Denmark, embrace home cooked meals instead of processed foods.

This is why today we will shortly examine the cuisines of other nations in order to see how they manage to keep the extra weight away.

The Nordic Diet

The traditional food, even though it is not considered to be very popular, should definitely not be ignored. This diet has the ability to decrease obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

They put their emphasis on the organic foods and wild caught fish. Their menu includes dairy, fatty fish, whole grains, eggs, berries and nuts.

They bake and broil the food at low temperatures, as opposed to frying it in order to maximize the nutritional value in the food. This dieting plan works because through these foods you can get Vitamins D and B12, omega 3 fatty acids, minerals such as iodine, iron and zinc, and it is a high source of lean protein.

The fatty fish is considered to be so healthy that experts recommend consuming it twice in a week. When it comes to veggies, the Nords recommend root veggies, such as carrots, turnips and green veggies, such as broccoli, spinach, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

These fiber filled veggies will not only make you feel fuller for a longer period of time, but will also reduce your risk of cancer by 70% because they are packed with antioxidants. And when it comes to the anti cancer properties, the berries are the way to go.

This is why they have been implemented in the dieting plan of the Nords. So, when you combine these three branches of food, it will do good for your waistline and your entire body. If you happen to decide to follow the Nordic diet you will have results in a very short period of time – and you can lose up to 10 pounds! Not so bad, is it?

Vegan friendly diets from Asia

The citizens from these countries have been noted to have the lowest obesity rates in the world!  The same low rate goes to suffering from type 2 diabetes. So what is their secret?

Well, other than keeping a dieting plan low in red meat, dairy, sugar and grain, they focus on maintaining a densely nutritious, low calorie and multicolored diet. This way it will never harm you if you overeat every once in a while.

They tend to eat with chopsticks too, which slows down the eating process and helps you realize in time when it is time to stop. What they also do is they tend to eat in smaller portions, because it has been proven that the bigger the portion is, the more you’re going to eat.

When it comes to the key foods in their diet, they are seaweed, soy, fish, a lot of leafy greens, purple sweet potatoes, peppers, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and of course green tea. Their dietary plan works because they tend to consume a lot of fish, which is filled with omega 3 fatty acids, the seaweed contains up to 47% of pure protein, the green veggies are filled with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, and we all know what the power of the green tea is. This is a diet that can boost your metabolism in no time!

The Mediterranean Diet

This is one of the most weight conscious diets there are, and it is specifically set to target the reversing of hypertension. The traditional Mediterranean diet is just as it sounds, combining foods from the countries Spain, Italy, Greece and France.

Their key foods are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, eggs, poultry, nuts, olive oil and red wine.So, how come this variety of foods work?

Well, this dieting plan is able to lower the bad and raise the good cholesterol in the body. This way your heart will be protected. And not only that, you will protect yourself from type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart attack, stroke or any other cardiovascular issues, and will enjoy a full and healthy dieting plan.

Finally, how come these dieting plans work?

Even though they are much different from each other, they can all do good for your body and will help you consume healthier foods in moderation. In comparison to any American diet, these diets refrain from any processed foods whatsoever.

Focusing on organic and whole foods, consuming in smaller portion sizes, and favoring fish over chips is definitely the way to go!