Research by Elling Bere from the University of Agder, Norway, has shown that native berries from northern Europe such as blueberries, cowberries and cloudberries contain as much unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids as fish per unit of energy.
Ever wondered what’s the secret behind the fab figures of Helena Christensen, Mariella Fostrup and Ulrika Jonsson? According to the latest diet science, it might be their Nordic background.
Traditional foods from the Nordic countries – Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland – could be just as good for slimmers as the famous Mediterranean diet. Scandinavians have long had one of the lowest obesity rates in Europe. And nutritionists now believe that the natural goodness of their local fare – foods such as low-fat dairy, cod, red meat, berries and rye bread – is their secret weapon. Add to this a culinary culture that favours smaller portions and an active lifestyle and it become clear why, as well as being slimmer, people from these countries have one of the longest life expectancies. In fact, according to 2006 figures, Scandinavians live longer than most other nations in the world – with the average man living to 79 years and the average woman making it to 83.
Why it works
The Nordic Diet is a traditional highprotein diet, but it focuses on lean red meat and fish. It’s also incredibly high in fruit and vegetables, rich in antioxidants.
According to Professor Astrup from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark: “There is increasing evidence that the fat in meat is not as unhealthy as we have been led to believe. “The protein content of low-fat dairy products, healthy fish and lean beef is very beneficial if you want to feel full for fewer calories. To maintain a healthy body weight, these parts of the diet should not be excluded.” In a study of 250 men and women last year, Professor Astrup found that protein’s ability to make us feel fuller for longer and speed up the metabolism meant that a high-protein diet was actually more effective in helping slimmers keep the weight off than the popular GI Diet.
Make mine a smorgasbord!
As well as incorporating the right foods, the Scandinavian style of eating is also important. They eat little and often, grazing on small portions of food throughout the day. For instance there’s the famous Swedish smorgasbord – a platter consisting of lots of different foods to share, including smoked fish, rye crispbreads, pickled vegetables, cheeses, hard-boiled eggs and cold potato slices. Because it’s a social dish people pick at it slowly and often only eat until they’re full – rather than stuffing down an entire meal just because it’s sitting in front of them. This means that they tend to consume fewer calories and fat over the course of a day.
The Nordic Food Rules
(1) Eat lean red meat, especially game. Why: It’s full of iron and provides long-lasting energy, plus game meats like duck or venison tend to be lower in fat because the animals lived wild and had the chance to run around.
(2) Swap chicken for fish. Why: White fish such as cod and haddock are low in fat and contain energy-providing B vitamins and minerals. And oily fish such as salmon and herring are rich in hearthealthy omega-3 fats, which studies show can help with weight loss. Eat at least two or three portions a week.
(3) Switch olive oil for rapeseed oil. Why: Although olive oil is healthy, it has to be imported whereas rapeseed oil can be grown in Northern countries including the UK. Plus the cold-pressed variety of rapeseed oil is even lower in saturated fat than olive oil and more rich in omega-3s. Use for stir-fries and salad dressings.
(4) Swap normal bread for rye bread. Why: Some people find wheat makes them feel bloated, but rye bread rarely has this effect. And, because it uses the whole grain, rye bread is packed with slow-digesting fibre and won’t cause the sharp rises in blood sugar that create food cravings.
(5) Stock up on berries, especially blueberries. Why: Numerous studies have found that berries, a Nordic staple, are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that help prevent disease and premature ageing.
(6) Have a daily portion of leafy green veg. Why: Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale are all packed with B vitamins and disease-fighting antioxidants.
(7) Eat little and often. Why: Big meals can slow down your metabolism, while studies show grazing keeps it ticking over, meaning your body burns off calories more effectively – so fewer are stored as fat.
