Famously healthy diets from around the world
Moving abroad can mean a whole new diet and access to more, or less, fresh produce than what you may be used to. Expats are often concerned about food availability and hygiene in a new country, so what are your options for when you move abroad?
There are some famously healthy diets from around the world that can help you to stay healthy.
Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is famously healthy, especially if expats are looking for heart-healthy cuisine. According to a new study, research has shown that the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of heart disease.
This diet is based on the Greek, Spanish and southern Italian cuisine that focuses on grains, nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables, and fish. The grains are usually whole grains that contain few unhealthy trans-fats.
Bread is an important part of the diet, however it’s not usually eaten with butter but is eaten plain or dipped in olive oil. Besides grains, nuts are also an important part of the diet. Nuts have a high level of “healthy” fats. Mediterranean cuisine tends to focus on the healthy, unsaturated fats instead of saturated or trans-fats which are very bad for our health and contribute to heart disease.
Japanese diet
The traditional Japanese diet is famously healthy. Japanese people have one of the longest life expectancies in the world, and the Japanese diet definitely contributes to that.
The Japanese diet is heavily rice based and focuses on small portions of fresh seasonal food.
Seafood such as fish and sushi are very prevalent in the diet. Beef, chicken, and pork are commonly included in meals, whereas dairy, bread, and sugary snacks are not regularly part of the traditional diet. Soybeans, and green tea, both noted for their health-boosting properties, are consumed daily.
Chinese diet
Actually, Chinese food has a somewhat “bad” reputation mostly because of its popularity as a fast food, and its fatty meat dishes.
According to Chinese food expert Lorraine Clissold, the Chinese style of eating is healthy and fulfilling. The typical Chinese diet has a lot of mixed vegetables that are lightly steamed or stir fried. In addition, the Chinese diet is very rice based and rice is typically eaten with every meal, similar to Japanese cuisine.
Fresh seafood, fish, chicken and bite-sized meat are common along with soy products such as tofu, and soy-sauce.