Up until now dietary recommendations have not been successful in reversing the obesity epidemic. This could be that gastronomic potential and tastiness are not taken into consideration. Because of this it has been suggested that dietary requirements should be tailored to regional conditions in  which could then help preserve cultural diversity and eating habits. In turn this would also contribute to a more environmentally friendly food consumption and you don’t need to find a chef to learn it.    

The principles of the New Nordic Diet:  

–      Health
–      Gastronomic Potential
–      Nordic Identity
–      Sustainability

These principles lead to 3 overall guidelines:  

1)   More calories from plants and fewer from meat   By eating less meat you have more room for vegetables, grains, nuts, fruits and herbs. Most of which have sustainability better impact on health.    

2)   More foods from sea and lakes   Significant health promoting values. High protein intake replacing the large amounts of meat consumed today.  

3)   More foods from the wild countryside  

–      Foods foraged from the wild
–      Possible health potential
–      Gastronomic potential
–      Minimal impact on the environment
–      Important identity for local cuisine  

New Nordic Diet Recommendation  

Vegetables and fruit: Berries, cabbage, root vegetables and legumes play a large role in the New Nordic Diet. Daily intake of 600g recommended to decrease:

–      risk of cardiovascular disease
–      Overweight and obesity
–      risk of certain cancers  

Herbs – Rich in vitamins and minerals and are also important in the NND due to their health promoting effects.  

Potatoes are an important. source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Least environmental impact  

Plants & Mushrooms – NND recommend 5g per day. Health and gastronomic potential.  

Whole grain – Significant Inverse effect on:

–      Cardiovascular disease
–      Type 2 diabetes
–      Cancer
–      Weight gain and obesity  

Nuts – Health promoting effects. Recommended 30g.   Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Use nuts to make breads, salads and cereals more interesting. Replace nuts for sweets.  

Fish and Shellfish – Contain essential fatty acids.  
–      Fatty acid n-3 helps prevent cardiovascular disease & nervous disorder in adults.
–      Improves child brain development.  

Seaweed – High content in minerals, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and fatty acids.   Some species contain high amounts of iodine so caution should be taken.  

Meat:  Free range livestock to a minimum. Meat is the least environmentally friendly. Animals that graze have :
–      Healthier fatty acid composition.
–      Less saturated fats.
–      More polyunsaturated fats.

Game is unique in gastronomy as has fed on plants that reflect specific climates and landscapes of the region.