Have you heard of the Nordic diet? It’s taken from traditional Nordic meals of Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, and Greenland and consists mainly of fish, cabbage, rye bread, oatmeal, apples, pears, and root vegetables. Like the popular Mediterranean diet, the Nordic diet leans towards more fruits, vegetables, and organic food intake. This plant-leaning nutrition style encourages whole grains rather than processed, sugary foods. Meals are homecooked, with an emphasis on food from the sea, lakes, and wild countryside, and consist of less meat.
Dark, dense rye bread is a popular Nordic food that is rich in fiber. Whole grain rye appears to help normalize glucose levels and provide tumor inhibition in prostate cancer. Berries are common too, playing a healthy role as an antioxidant source that helps keep arteries healthy and flexible, which may decrease blood pressure levels.
The long coastlines provide rich sources of fish, with herring and mackerel being traditional Nordic foods. The omega-3 fatty acid content may lower the incidence of heart arrhythmias, lower triglycerides, and lessen plaque buildup.
Beans and peas are a major source of complex carbs in the Nordic diet and are a great protein source, which can replace some of the calories from red meat. They also have lots of nutrients like riboflavin, B6, calcium, zinc, and iron.
What about the results? Does the incidence of chronic disease decrease by following the Nordic diet? Some studies say it does! For instance, the consumption of whole-grain rye bread was associated with a lower mortality in men. Following a traditional Nordic diet may also decrease cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity.
While more specific benefits of the Nordic diet are still being evaluated, we know eating fresh, whole foods, and avoiding processed and sugary foods, is a healthy way to go overall!