There is a buzz in the food world at the moment and it is all because of something labelled "New Nordic Diet".  A research team at Copenhagen University is doing a study into the Nordic diet and are willing to make a claim that this is potentially better for you that say the Mediterranean diet that has dominated during the past two decades.   You can read more about the big study here

Because of this study we're been asked lots of questions about the Nordic diet. We love answering questions about food and are very passionate about this subject - as we also believe the Nordic was of eating is a very sensible and healthy diet.   We will always do our best to help you source things you may need to change to a more Nordic inspired diet as well as advise you on food stuffs that may benefit.

Here's our Top Ten Tips for following a Nordic style daily diet:

1.     Swap the wheat bread for rye and fiber crisp bread. You’ll eat less as it is slow releasing and filling.

2.     Make open sandwiches.  Less bread, focus on what you put on top.  No need to big lumps of mayo to hold it all together.  You spend time to make it look pretty – eating with your eyes is also surprisingly filling. 

3.     Get into Herring.  It’s a great little friend and it tastes really nice and has loads of omega 3.    Try the Scandinavian pickled herring – it is less sour than German and Dutch varieties and more tender.   The good news is there’s lots of herring around in the sea still.

4.     Mackerel is a fantastic fish any way you prepare it.  It’s also reasonably cheap and a great alternative if you’re not ready for herring – but still contains buckets of omega 3 oils.  Try mackerel in tomato on dark rye bread as an open sandwich.

5.     Eat your porridge.  If you don’t like porridge, eat muesli with lots of oats, barley and rye flakes and some tasty dried berries such as blueberries and cranberries.  Make your own muesli in a jiffy by buying the ingredients in a health food store (tip: add a spice to make it exciting, such as a sprinkle of cinnamon). 

6.     Be friends with the berries, especially seasonal ones where they are bursting with flavour and nutrients.  Be concerned about food miles out of season, but know that frozen berries are also excellent and do not lose much of their nutritional values at all so you’ll still get great anti oxidants and vitamins.   

7.     Cabbage is your new friend.  It may make you let out a few sneaky ones in the beginning if you’re not used to it, but your body adapts and you’ll feel great.  Pickled red cabbage is great as a side dish with your evening meal, shredded white cabbage in your salad.

8.     Catch a moose.  Oh well, this might be a bit tricky.  But when you choose meat, try to include some game in there, and ask your butcher for meat that is proper free range and not intensely farmed.  Yes, it’s a bit more pricey but so full of flavour you don’t need as much.  A lot of specialty butchers can order in game for you.   Game meat is very low in fat.

9.     Eat sitting down.  Don’t rush.  Don’t eat on the go.  It’s not very good for the digestion and you’ll never catch a Scandinavian trying to munch an open herring sandwich whilst waiting for Bus 38. 

10.  Don’t be too strict about it. It’s not a quick fix diet, it’s a way of eating better and giving your body what it needs in order to function well and for a long time.    

If you have any questions, you can contact us on 0207 580 7161 (ask for Jonas or Bronte).

Enjoy your herring

Love,

The Kitchen People

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(c) "Top ten tips for a Nordic diet" Scandinavian Kitchen 2009, note the above is our opinion and is not part of any official study.  We just love herring.