From The Straits Times    |

A dynamic combination of gourmet and science, the New Nordic Diet was developed at the University of Copenhagen’s OPUS Research Center with help from top-shelf foodie Claus Meyer who happened to be reinventing Scandinavian gastronomy at the time.

Through his New Nordic Kitchen Manifesto, which was adopted by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2005, Meyer encouraged everyone in the Land of the Midnight Sun to take advantage of what their locality has to offer ‒ and Meyer’s newfound fame suggests much of the world agrees with the idea.

New Nordic Diet can help you stay healthy or lose weight based on canola oil DECOR

Health-wise, the diet and close variations have been proven in studies to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation and lead to weight loss and it’s a great local alternative for those without access to olive oil that’s an essential part of the Mediterranean diet.

The New Nordic Diet calls for canola oil ‒ also known as rapeseed oil ‒ which is the main cooking oil in Scandinavia and contains seven percent saturated fat, even less saturated fat than olive oil, which contains 15 percent.

Berries are often overlooked, especially in the winter, but they are highly recommended by the Nordic researchers for their antioxidant content. Cabbages, root vegetables, legumes, potatoes and herbs are also on the list in this diet that encourages you to consume more veggies not just because they’re low in calories, but also for the good of the planet.

It’s not a vegetarian diet per-se, but they say it’s wisest to stick to high-quality meat and reduce consumption ‒ again, for health and sustainability. Whole grains, such as oats, rye and barley are recommended as well as fish such as salmon that’s high in heart-healthy Omega 3s.

Avoiding food additives is a principle of the New Nordic Diet that often gets forgotten about as different spin-offs appear on the internet, and according to recent research on emulsifiers, this is an important one to stick to.
Emphasis on seasonal produce, home-cooked food, organic items and less waste round out the eco-friendly aspect that pairs nicely with a plate of good health.

So, what do you think? Is this ‘new’ diet all that new? Would you try it?