World’s Healthiest Cuisines
Words by Katherine Castillo Eustaquio
Published in Action & Fitness Magazine June 2010 issue
You wake up, dress for office, and stop by the nearest burger chain and have your breakfast on the go. You order a calorie-laden meal for lunch because hey, you need the carbs for energy right? And just when your eyelids start to drop, you grab a tall coffee from Starbucks and some chips or cookie to go with it. Wow, no wonder you’re fat.
It’s not about your busy schedule. It’s about your choice of food and lifestyle. French women eat in a carbohydrate-and-sugar wonderland everyday but they are able to maintain a slim figure. What’s their secret? Quality over quantity.
If you look around, there are a lot of healthy variations to your calorie-shocking egg-and-sausage sandwich for breakfast. Let’s take a look at the world’s healthiest cuisines and find out why the French are so damn sexy.
Japanese Cuisine
Rice equals carbs. I know, right? Amazingly, Japan’s obesity rate is one of the lowest in the world. The Japanese are one of the world’s healthiest people because their staple diet consists of fresh fish, soy products, seaweeds, and cruciferous vegetables like radishes, Brussels sprouts, and turnips that are packed with vitamins and minerals.
They believe that food can heal the body of ailments, that’s why they take time to prepare food and drink green tea even if they have mastered the art of instant food a long time ago. Collectively, the Japanese diet is rich in glucosinolates and antioxidants that help fight certain cancers and lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol.
Lastly, Japan’s secret to good health is its trademark dish—sushi—that is one of the top sources of omega-3 and protein that help keep their hearts in mint condition.
Chinese Cuisine
Now, here’s another example of a country whose diet consist mostly of rice and noodles but, quite surprisingly, is one of the healthiest in the world. Their secret? They don’t know coffee. Okay, so maybe they do, but for our porcelain-skinned brothers and sisters, tea is the way of life and we all know that this traditional drink is rich in antioxidants that fight the free radicals.
Do you know that only 20% of Chinese cuisines consist of meat? Their diet may consist of the staple rice and noodle dishes but it is abundant in seafood, soy products, and vegetables. Their main ingredients—garlic, ginger, soy, and radish are great sources protein, minerals, and vitamins A, B, and E. Seldom do you find fried dishes in a Chinese restaurant because nearly 80% of their traditional dishes are baked, roasted, steamed, or stir-fried.
Do you know that only 20% of Chinese cuisines consist of meat? Their diet may consist of the staple rice and noodle dishes but it is abundant in seafood, soy products, and vegetables. Their main ingredients—garlic, ginger, soy, and radish are great sources protein, minerals, and vitamins A, B, and E. Seldom do you find fried dishes in a Chinese restaurant because nearly 80% of their traditional dishes are baked, roasted, steamed, or stir-fried.
French Cuisine
Okay, so it may not be a “healthy” cuisine if you take it literally since French cuisine is all about full-fat cheeses, pasta goodness, pastries galore, and cream-based delicacies. The secret to their low obesity rate and good health record is their attitude towards food and eating. First off, their portions are small that’s why they can eat a five course meal in one sitting. Second, they savor their food. Lunch can last up to two hours because they pair eating with conversation. Lastly, they have the discipline to stop when they are full.
Another French secret is their use for wine that is good for the heart. The French cook, bake, drink, and entertain with it. With a sexy appetite towards food and drinking, it’s no wonder the French are considered one of the most romantic people in the world.
Mediterranean Cuisine
Spanish, Italian, Greek cuisines…what do they have in common? Olive oil! Yes, that sinfully divine and healthy oil is the main star of every delectable dish in this region plus oily fishes, seafood, vegetables, beans, and tomato sauce that’s rich in lycopene to fight the big C.
The French and Mediterranean crowd both think of eating as a social event and therefore enjoy their food with lots of conversation. They savor the flavor of each dish by eating slowly and in turn, allow the body to digest the food properly compared to most Americans who chow down fast food so fast they hardly taste it.
