GirlsGuideTo | Spring Into Summer: 5 Nutrition Secrets from around the World

It’s so secret that Americans don’t have a great diet. And I think that may be understating things by a lot, since more than a third of us are overweight. So it’s probably a good idea to borrow some ideas from our healthier neighbors around the world who enjoy svelte physiques and far fewer diseases. Here are some sneaky secrets from around the globe.

1. Slow Down

Ever seen a Spanish restaurant packed with people enjoying dinner at 2 a.m.? Sure, Spaniards eat later, but they also eat slower, says Samantha Heller, M.S., registered dietitian. And they’re on to something: Guys who ate fast packed on 4.2 pounds in eight years compared to 1.5 pounds from slower eaters, according to a Japanese study.

2. Make Your Meal Social
Eating together is a daily social occasion in many European countries, says Heller. Read: No chowing down by yourself. Studies have shown that families who eat together are healthier, and a recent review of 68 reports on the subject found that frequent family meals meant a lower body mass index in children.

3. Go Sweet
When it comes to potatoes, that is. The people of the small Okinawa Island are thought to have the longest lives of anyone in the world. Why? Partly because of their diet, says Heller. While they eat plenty of fish and vegetables, a key ingredient seems to be sweet potatoes. They’re packed with the antioxidant glutathione, which is shown to boost the health of your immune system and protect against diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart attacks.

4. Buy Smart
The southern Italian Mediterranean diet is famed, but reaping the most benefits starts with choosing the right ingredients. When it comes to fish, go small: sardines and Atlantic mackerel both tend to be richer in omega-3 fatty acids, and lower in contaminants, says Tim Fitzgerald, M.S., marine scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund. And not all olive oil is healthy. Stick with oils packaged in dark bottles, since light and heat are olive oil’s enemies.

5. Add Turmeric

It’s the magic ingredient in most Indian food, says Heller. “Curcumin—a compound in turmeric—is packed with anti-inflammatory and possible anti-carcinogenic properties,” she adds. Your move: Sprinkle half a tablespoon on a fish or chicken dish to add plenty of flavor and big health benefits.

{Source: Men’s Health}