Habits of the Healthiest Nations
Cary Aspinwall
Posted Feb 3, 2010
Harley Pasternak's top 10 reads like a list of exotic travel destinations: Japan, Singapore, China, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Israel, Greece.
But those are his top 10 healthiest nations on the planet, as determined by factors such as obesity rate, life expectancy and health-insurance coverage.
So the celebrity trainer/nutritionist has a new book, "The 5 Factor World Diet," to teach Americans how to practice portion control and include soy in their diets like the Japanese, or eat heart-healthy, cold-water fish and get lots of outdoor exercise like the Swedish.
It's an eye-opening look at world cuisine, culture and fitness. For instance:
--Only 27 percent of Swedes are overweight, and less than 12 percent are obese -- despite the fact that their diet is typically 51 percent carbohydrates and heavy on potatoes.
--Every morning, right before dawn, millions of Chinese gather in public parks all over the country and exercise together.
--Only 3 percent of Japanese women are considered obese, compared to 33 percent of U.S. women.
--Most of the week, Italians stick to small portions. Sunday is the one day they indulge in massive, filling meals.
--In Spain and France, lunch is typically a larger, more substantial meal than dinner.
From studying those countries' food habits, Pasternak developed his five factors for a better diet -- eating low-fat, high-quality protein at every meal; whole grains, fruits and vegetables instead of refined carbohydrates; fiber-rich meals; healthy fats; and low-calorie sugar-free beverages such as water, coffee and green tea.
Cary Aspinwall 581-8477 cary.aspinwall@tulsaworld.com
Date: Jan 28, 2010
To see more of the Tulsa World, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tulsaworld.com.
Copyright © 2010, Tulsa World, Okla.
|
Back
