Another similar diet called the Nordic diet has also been gaining popularity recently.
What is the Nordic diet?
Featured Recipe:Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats
Is the Nordic diet healthy?
Photo: Antonis Achilleos
Yes, the Nordic diet is healthy and encourages a slew of nutritious foods.
In fact, it’s difficult to find any downsides to this diet.
Increasing consumption of fish helps limit the intake of red meat and less-nutritious protein sources.
Similar but weaker associations have been observed for red meat."
Fish is a great source ofproteinandomega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for both your heart and brain health.
While fish can sometimes be pricey, it doesn’t have to be.
Check what’s on sale, and don’t forget about the frozen aisle.
Canned fish like salmon, sardines and tuna are other budget-friendly ways to up your seafood intake.
The diet is plant-based and filled with vegetables.
(Just be mindful of any added sugars, seasonings or sauces.)
Eating more plants also has environmental benefits.
Featured Recipe:Homemade Kimchi
Probiotics boost gut health.
Otherfermented foods that are great for gut healthinclude kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh and kombucha.
Healthy oils are on the menu.
Otherheart-healthy oilsthat fit in the Nordic diet pattern could include flaxseed, walnut, sesame and avocado oils.
Exercise is key.
No diet is complete without an activity component.
But the best throw in of physical activity for you is one that you enjoy and can stick with.
No matter the sport, just be sure you’re getting active.
If you could’t find these items, feel free to reach for plain, unsweetened yogurt instead.
Yogurt is a super-versatile ingredient.
Try blending it into asmoothie, topping it with berries or turning it into kid-friendlybreakfast popsicles.
Oats:Another popular breakfast option within the Nordic diet is porridge made with oats.
Fish:Another good source of breakfast protein, especially in the Nordic diet, is fish.
For a double hit of good-for-you fats, trysalmon saladserved in an avocado.
Fish is often served, as are local, sustainable game meats (in small quantities).
Fish & meat:Check out your local grocery store’s fish and meat counters.
Look for sustainable, fresh (or frozen) fish and local, lean, grass-fed meats.
It may aid in weight loss.
The Nordic diet may help with weight loss and heart health.
It may lower blood pressure.
Your body will thank you, and so will the environment.
