The diversity of the human race is clearly evident in the way we eat and live. One good look at the indigenous dishes in a nation can reveal whether her citizens are in good health or not. If you ever happen to visit these places, here’s a list of what you should eat or take a pass.
1. Japan
Internationally-renowned sushi is low calorie yet nutritious Japanese dish. The ingredients are rice, seafood, vegetables, seaweed and sauces like wasabi. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamin D, selenium, and antioxidants are available in plenty for lovers of sushi. It’s delicate flavors and aesthetic goodness makes it one of the healthiest Japanese dishes.
However, miso soup, on the other hand, has quite the bad reputation for being a sodium bomb. A single cup has about 700 to 900 milligrams of sodium. If at all you ever get to have the seemingly simple miso soup, remember that it is healthiest Japanese dish out there.
2. India
The diversity of Indian cuisine is unfathomable. Healthwise also it uses a wide variety of spices like turmeric, pepper, cardamom in its dishes. If at all you ever get to eat anything Indian opt for the vegetarian or non-transferable thali. This will give you the chance to explore a wide variety of dishes with lentils, potatoes, greens, whole grains and protein derived from milk, meat or poultry.
While almost anything in Indian cuisine is quite healthy. One of the popular Indian snacks, Pani poori should be consumed from trusted or reputable restaurants only. The spicy brine used in the preparation of Pani Puri can often be contaminated and lead to serious abdominal distress.
3. Greece
Several scientific studies have ascertained that the Mediterranean diet that’s followed by the Greek is the reason why they enjoy lower rates of heart disease, obesity, cancer, and Alzheimer’s rates. Any Greek recipe will boast of a perfect balance between proteins, carbs, and minerals. The greek salad is one of the must-have healthy options from the country.
But, be mindful of avoiding Avgolemono, the lemon-infused chicken soup as it’s just bulked up with white rice. It has nothing much to offer nutritionally.1
4. Nigeria
The African diet is also known to be a balanced one. Jollof rice is one of the healthiest dishes that’s made out of rice, tomatoes and tomato paste, onions, salt, spices and chili peppers, vegetables, meats, or fish.
But, Isi Ewu is also known as spicy goat head is an indigenous Nigerian dish. It’s prepared with a lot of unhealthy fat and is not very healthy.
5. Australia
Australia has a lot of seafood options of which salt and pepper calamari is very popular. It’s the best bet to savor all the nourishment from squid and seasonal veggies.
Kangaroo tail soup is an Australian delicacy. However, the tail is rich in the substance carnitine that gets digested by the human body to form TMAOs which in turn can wreak havoc with your health.2
6. USA
One of the Native American recipes, cornbread is a good source of nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folic acid, folate, and vitamins A, B complex.
The American diet is largely based on refined sugars, processed foods, and fats. The insane variety of unreal foods and their consumption has led to an increasing number of obese, hypertensive and diabetic individuals in the population.3
7. Brazil
The national dish of Brazil, feijoada is a bean stew that has beef or pork in it. It’s often served with rice or bread. It is very filling and nourishing thanks to the spices, proteins, and carbohydrates.
A popular Brazilian street food is empanada which is a stuffed bread or pastry that’s usually deep fried. It’s best to opt for the baked or the steamed varieties instead of the fried ones for the sake of your health.
The next time you are going globetrotting to one of these places, take calculated risks and indulge the healthy options.
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