Alternative to the Mediterranean diet - Losing weight with the Nordic diet

Effective and sustainable: Nordic diet helps with weight loss

Although the Mediterranean diet has long been regarded as a model for a well-balanced diet, the healthy Mediterranean diet is increasingly gaining competition from the north: the New Nordic Diet developed by nutritionists not only helps with weight loss, but also contributes to regional, seasonal and organic food to environmental protection.

The healthy Mediterranean cuisine

Experts repeatedly emphasize the benefits of healthy Mediterranean cuisine. The positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on our bodies have also been proven in scientific studies. For example, German researchers recently reported that a Mediterranean diet helps protect against cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and possibly even cancer. The scientists also dealt with the so-called Nordic diet (Nordic diet). According to experts, this diet is also associated with health benefits and contributes to environmental protection.

Local berries and fruits are an important part of the so-called New Nordic Diet. The Nordic diet helps to lose weight and protects against dangerous diseases. (Image: J.Mühlbauer exclus./fotolia.com)

Everyday suitable diet trend

As the Baden-Württemberg information service agriculture-nutrition-rural area writes in a message, the Mediterranean diet gets increasingly effective competition from the north:

The so-called New Nordic Diet, which was developed more than ten years ago by Scandinavian nutritionists, environmental experts and top chefs, is now being celebrated as a diet trend suitable for everyday use.

Unlike one-sided lightning diets, the Nordic diet, popularly known as the Viking or Norwegian diet, offers the potential to permanently conquer plates as a nutritional concept.

Change to a balanced diet

Unlike the Mediterranean diet, the Nordic diet, which adapts to local taste preferences and products, makes use of the local, the old and the familiar.

The conversion to a balanced lifestyle will be even easier.

The cuisine of the Nordic countries traditionally offers a pleasurable variety of cabbage, local berries and fruits such as apples and pears, root and tuber vegetables, wholegrain cereals (such as oats, rye, barley) and rapeseed, sunflower and linseed oil.

Legumes, fresh herbs and wild herbs, mushrooms, nuts, clams and algae complete the idea of ​​the New Nordic Diet.

Plant foods as the main energy source

Herbal foods are therefore the most important source of energy. It is also recommended a moderate consumption of meat either as game or from species-appropriate attitude, for example as a Sunday roast. Fish comes to the table three times a week.

In addition, the New Nordic Diet relies on traditional and gentle preparation methods such as low-temperature cooking in casseroles or ovens as well as the fermentation of fish and vegetables.

According to the information, butter and high-fat dairy products are completely removed from the diet. Cold meats, sugar, salt and alcohol are allowed in moderation.

Proven to be very beneficial to health

Although the Mediterranean diet also recommends lots of fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts, it goes without saying that this type of diet has long been proven to be very beneficial to health.

"But what good is that if typical ingredients of the Mediterranean cuisine such as eggplant, olives and seafood or spices such as sage, tarragon and mint and the generous use of garlic do not meet the local taste?", Writes the Baden-Württemberg information service Agriculture-Nutrition-Rural room.

At the New Nordic Diet, the basic concept of the Mediterranean is transferred to the food diversity of the Nordic countries, which also resembles that in Germany.

The plus is a clear gain in taste, freshness, availability and not least in sustainability.

Special focus on sustainability

The additional focus on sustainability is the very special about the New Nordic Diet. Thus, this nutritional style emphasizes unpackaged, regional and seasonal, wild and organic products.

Regional production avoids long transport routes and seasonal production is environmentally friendly, as, for example, energy-intensive heating in greenhouses is not required.

In addition, regional products ripen longer, are fresher and are also associated with feelings of home - in the end, this also contributes to the good taste.

Prevent dangerous diseases

According to the information service from Baden-Württemberg, berries and cabbage contain valuable substances that should be effective against cancer. And fish trumps with vascular protective omega-3 fatty acids.

High consumption of fermented dairy products helps to prevent heart disease.

Wild plants have a higher content of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals than conventionally grown and game meat is usually low in fat and should have a lower fatty acid composition.

The list of good products and ingredients and equally good effects could be continued many times.

According to recent studies, the health benefits of the New Nordic Diet include positive changes in blood levels and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The positive effects are comparable to the Mediterranean diet. Permanent Nordic-style enjoyment as part of a healthy lifestyle can thus help counteract obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and elevated cholesterol. (Ad)