Health Secrets from Countries Around the World

After having been an avid traveler to many parts of the world, I can say honestly that you can learn a lot from other countries and the way they eat and appreciate good healthy habits in general. Many Americans are starting to take notice of the health benefits of many foreign countries as well and trying to implement changes to their lifestyles.

1. Countries such as Greece and China use meat a side and not a main staple of their meal. Eating plenty of whole grains and produce is a way of life. The Chinese eat a lot of rice and vegetables and in Greece vegetables and legumes are main staples and not just side dishes.

Studies have found that three servings or more of produce a day can significantly lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and even some cancers. The USDA diet recommends that you fill your plate two thirds full of whole grains and produce and the remaining third with the meat or fish side.

2. In countries like Italy, Spain, Greece, Japan and France they enjoy leisurely eating and savor dining for several hours.

Eating in any one of these countries can last a long amount of time, which can be a good for your digestive track. Eating slowly and on a regular schedule can increase your body's ability to process the food better. In Greece they share meals with one another. The French, Spanish and Italians all use their meals to provide good quality time with their family and friends. Eating slowly limits a person's ability to overeat, helps in relaxation and aids in the body's digestion process.

Taking time to savor the flavors and textures of food makes food a pleasure for all the senses. In Japan they have tea ceremonies, they also have separate courses divided into small portions with a few minutes in between each course so you have time to digest your portions. In America bad diets are combined with health habits of eating too fast, too often and too big of portions, which makes for increased weight and increased risk for health disorders such as diabetes and heart disease.

3. Countries such as Japan and France are known for small portions. A meal in Japan or France is quite a bit smaller than that of the United States. In Japan they eat food portions out of bowls rather than big plates which cuts the amounts down in size, they also eat in courses limiting their food content to soup, rice, meat and vegetable. France has a unique approach also I found that in France breakfast consisted of a soft boiled egg, small scrumptious pieces of bread and jam, which is more than enough for the average person. Fresh fruit is also eaten regularly in France and paired with cheese and bread is a staple for typical lunch cuisine.

4. Countries such as France, Greece, Japan, Italy are known for eating a variety of unprocessed fresh foods.

In many foreign countries people buy foods regularly from farmers' markets. Organic foods are also more popular than ever and there are many varieties of local vegetables and fruits available for the people to pick from daily. Most people are astonished when coming to America that we buy food and keep food for so long in our freezers and refrigerators because they are use to eating fresh produce daily.

Shopping daily in foreign countries also increases the activity level of people they get out daily to buy food and move about in markets go to the butchers, bakers, markets. The unprocessed foods have less sugars, less starches, less fats and salt.

5. Countries such as India, China, Thailand all use spices to add healthy benefits to their dishes. Studies have found that spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, cloves, ginger, garlic, thyme and others all help the body in many different ways.

Adding only a half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice daily can significantly lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Turmeric has also been known to be used for many medicinal properties including as a antibacterial agent, an anti-inflammatory and for gastrointestinal problems.

Studies have found that garlic has some antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, as well as antiviral. Garlic is also supposed to help with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis.

Ginger is used for many different purposes depending on the country. Burma uses ginger with a local palm tree juice to prevent the flu. China ginger is made into a drink for the common cold. India ginger is used to relieve headaches or common cold and can even relieve nausea. Philippines use ginger in a drink for sore throat and ginger is even used in the US to prevent motion sickness.

While traveling around in many different countries the best health benefits were really quite simple. Eat healthy fresh food, walk daily and live a more relaxed lifestyle. It is really amazing to see how other people in other countries seem to savor their time to relax. Mexico has siestas, the Greeks enjoy company and family and life in general. Italy is lively and warm, the whole eat, drink and be merry. France lounges along the boulevards and enjoys relaxing. I learned so much from their way of thinking, walk everywhere, see people, visit and smell flowers, and eat healthy fresh food.

References for this article include:

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/21/earlyshow/contributors/emilysenay/main644874.shtml
www.chinatownconnection.com/chinese-eating-healthy.htm
greekfood.about.com/od/tipsnutritionmenus/qt/hearthealth.htm
www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/tdaug2007pg44.shtml