The Nordic diet is built on tradition incorporating fresh, healthy grains and vegetables grown in Northern Europe with Nordic cooking methods and cuisine. Like the highly acclaimed Mediterranean diet, the Nordic diet offers a balance of whole grains, vegetables and sources of protein that are low in saturated fats. The main difference separating the two diets though is the lack of pasta and olive oil on the Nordic diet which, many devotees argue makes the rustic Nordic way of eating, far healthier than the sun-drenched Mediterranean.
How it works
Forget counting calories and endless weighing of ingredients, the Nordic diet is all about good wholesome food, eating until you feel full and indulging in a dessert when you really feel like it. Focussing on seasonal ingredients the diet can be adapted according to the time of year to ensure that the food on your plate is constantly changing according to the local produce available to you.
The grains which feature heavily in the Nordic diet are those suited to cooler climates - spelt, rye, oats and barley, all of which are high in fibre and rich in protein. The combination of ingredients in the grains means that they are more filling than standard bread eaten in the UK so you have less chance of overeating or snacking in between meals. The rest of the diet is made up of vegetables which grow well in cold climates such as cabbages, kale and Brussels sprouts as well as an abundance of cold water fish including cod, herring, salmon, mackerel and haddock and lean meat, poultry and game. Berries such as blueberries, blackberries, currants, cloudberries and cowberries are also encouraged on the diet as they contain as much unsaturated omega 3 oils as fish and are rich in antioxidants.
The good points
Completely gimmick-free, the Nordic diet is based on the dieting principles that work. Less complex carbohydrates which leave your sugar and hunger levels crashing, more good fats and protein and plenty of greens. Rather than a quick-fix diet which can be followed for a fortnight, this is more of a life change so, if you're looking for a new way of healthy eating that will benefit both your figure and your health, this is the way to go.
The bad points
It would be hard to follow this diet if you are a vegetarian as the majority of the sources of protein come in the form of fish or meat. Some of the recipes in the Nordic diet book are also difficult to get hold of here in the UK and items like wild boar, rabbit or mallard won't be stocked in your local Tesco supermarket and would have to be bought from expensive specialist butchers or some Waitrose supermarkets. Having said that, with a little imagination you could easily swap some of these more unusual ingredients for something a little more everyday like chicken, turkey and game and, if you're a fan of fish, there are plenty of recipes to suit you.
Hot tip:
Log onto Fish For Thought. The company catches fish in Cornwall's clear blue waters then delivers it to your door within 24 hours. Our fish and seafood arrived super fresh and tasty. Prices are competitive (they beat our local supermarket) and their impressive commitment to sustainability and ethical fishing means they were the first to be awarded Marine Stewardship Council status. Visit the Fish For Thought website to find out more or place an order.
The Nordic Diet by Trina Hahnemann is available to buy from amazon.co.uk
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