Tour of the best diets

What common there he was between a Japanese island of Okinawa, a Scandinavian and an inhabitant of the Vilcabamba valley in South America? All have a healthy exemplary life. Result: they show Olympic form, hardly overweight and live longer than the rest of the world. Their secret? A healthy and balanced diet, based on traditional eating habits.

Let Your Food Be Your Medicine "Hippocrates already called there more than 2000 years. Today more than ever, we recognize that our diet is one of the keys to our well-being, both physical and psychic. But how many of us still believe that the word diet necessarily mean restriction? In fact, the term "diet" simply defines how man eats, and, whether right or not. We have listed five diets that have been proven and are now among the best systems in the world. Their common? All are based on traditional patterns and ancestral cuisine. Their main virtue? Get to those who follow the bare minimum, both nutritionally as the fun part. Ultimately, those who practice them are healthy, slim and live longer. What if you could simply return to basics to eat better and healthier?

The Okinawa diet for a peaceful power

Who has not heard of Okinawa, the island of Japan, called "the land of the happy immortals", where the largest proportion of centenarians living in the world? But who says Long life, good health, healthy lifestyle, and therefore little overweight. Thus, in general, suffer much less Japanese cancers and cardiovascular diseases Westerners. In addition, they have good bone density (osteoporosis not or not).

Power to Okinawa: it consists mainly of fish, crustaceans, seaweed, vegetables, spices, herbs, grains and fruit. The meat is consumed twice as much as in the rest of Japan, as well as legumes and green vegetables.

Key products: tofu, canola oil, soybeans, tea (green, jasmine, or barley tea), red beans (azuki), black mushrooms (shiitake) and goya (kind of bitter gourd).

The Mediterranean diet: a scent of the Mediterranean

Olive oil, tomato, feta, yogurt with honey ... Everyone a vague idea of what the Mediterranean diet, one of the most famous diets "long life." It is based on the best principles of the Mediterranean diet. Many studies say that the Cretan diet, even when it is adapted to French eating habits, reduced reinfarction, and prevents heart diseases and cancers.

The supply of Crete is a diet high in cereal-based foods, olive oil, fish, fruits and vegetables, but low in meat, eggs, potatoes and sweets. Wheat, flax, sesame, barley, olives, pork, goat and lamb are processed breads, oils, cheeses, kebabs and stewed dishes. The fish have a special menu and wild herbs instead.

Key products: olive oil, milk from sheep or goat, houmus (chickpea puree), grape leaves stuffed with rice, bread (as biscuits flavored cereal poppy cumin, olives ...).

The Nordic diet: eat like a Viking

Icelanders, but also other Scandinavians (Danes, Swedes, Norwegians and Finns) are poised to take the lead in populations whose diet used to live as long and healthy. Food quality, sensitivity and bio seasons, resistance to foreign tendencies (and fast food in particular), the Nordic have all good!

Power in the Nordic countries: it consists mainly of fish (lean and fat), whole grains (barley, rye, oats), potatoes, game, berries, cabbage, roots (carrot, parsnips ...), dairy products and fresh herbs.

Key products: salmon and herring, fish oil, black bread, blueberry (bilberry, cranberry, black currant ...), lean beef, canola oil and fermented foods (sauerkraut type) .

The Ecuadorian regime: from the valley with old

The people of the valley of Vilcabamba in Ecuador form, as in Okinawa, a kind of exception and many scientists have peered into their secret. Anxious to preserve their discretion, its people have even got used to clear death dates inscribed on the tombstones of their centenarian parents. Also famous in South America under the names "Sacred Valley" or "paradise of eternal youth", this valley has 11% in their sixties (against 4% in the rest of the country).

Eating at Vilcabamba: it is rich in fresh vegetables (peas, avocados, tomatoes, carrots, peppers) in legumes (beans, beans), potato, cassava or grains (rice, quinoa, corn) and fruits (tropical fruits, bananas, plums, chestnuts ...). Many types of meat are eaten but sparingly (chicken, pork, turkey, wild boar, monkey, snake ...).

Key products: yuca (cassava yellow and red tubers are used to make tapioca), the Cuy (guinea pig served grilled or smoked), the parrilladas (grilled), empanadas (fried), dried fish and chocolate (especially in the form of cocoa beverages).

Caucasian regime: mountain, old and happy

The fascination for this region dates back to the late 19th century. Many were so travelers (writers, botanists, archaeologists ...) to go there on holiday or spa on the shores of the Black Sea. All testified to the beauty of the Circassians. Abkhazia, located between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, at the time was given as the land of trees.

 Feeding the Caucasus: it consists of lots of vegetables (onions, dandelions, red beans, spinach, cabbage ...), herbs and spices, fruits, nuts (in sauces and oils) yogurt, honey, cheese or dried bread corn flour stuffed with cheese. The meat is a luxury for holiday meals. Fish is absent, except in people who live near a lake.

Key products: the lobio (dish made of red beans and nuts), cheese (made ​​curdled and fermented milk), wine, tea, beechnuts (oily fruit of the beech), churned butter (prepared based lamb fat), liquid yoghurt and sok (juice local fruit).