Healthy Eating Tips From Around The World
We can learn healthy eating tips not just in our country but also abroad. Brian and I love to travel and experience other cultures. I started traveling abroad during my high school years, and Brian in college. Together, we have visited four continents, more than 36 countries, and lived in Europe for seven years.
And if you’ve ever been out of the country, you know that one of the best things about traveling is the eating. Buon Apetito!
Our cultural experiences have changed the way we view and enjoy food. We have learned a lot from our travels about what it means to eat healthy.
Is it any surprise that though the U.S. ranks number one in health care costs, it is only number 36 in life expectancy? Not at all. We have paid a high cost to become a nation of TV dinners and fast-food restaurants. We have many healthy eating tips to learn from the countries around us.
One thing we noticed from our time living and traveling abroad is that Europeans enjoy eating. It’s not just the food, but everything surrounding the experience. Cooking is an art form in many places, and eating often accompanies the gathering of friends and family.
Other cultures can teach us a lot about healthy eating and help us incorporate new habits that will help our kids as well. Perhaps this is why our own kids (all Europe-born) enjoy eating and trying new foods. They do not quickly shy away from things that may look different.
Check Out Healthy Eating Tips From…
- Germany: The proper way to eat bread and when to eat your largest meal.
- Italy: The main focus of our eating, which oil is the best for our health, and the ease of homemade sauces.
Where have you traveled? What healthy eating tips have you gleaned from the other cultures around us? Leave us your comments below!
10 Comments
Suzanne · May 22, 2013 at 9:26 am
Starting the young with correct and healthy eating habits is absolutely a must, thank you!
Jory Fisher · May 22, 2013 at 8:12 pm
Thanks, Bonnie. I’ve lived in Italy and Spain… where olive oil has been a staple for centuries. We use Extra Virgin Olive Oil regularly in our home as a “healthy fat.” I highly recommend it!
Bonnie (site owner) · May 22, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Thanks for sharing, Jory! So true on the Olive oil, and it can be quite confusing when trying to buy some in the store nowadays. There are so many different types and prices; however this is a great little article, Olive Oil 101, that talks about the differences and which ones may be best to have in our homes!
Sigrid McNab · May 23, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Bonnie, I love travelling as well. I’ve also noticed that in other parts of the world, people actually make most of their mealtimes an occasion and take the time to enjoy them. Whereas here in North America it almost seems like a sprint to see who can finish first!
Linda O'Rourke · May 24, 2013 at 2:41 am
Wow you are a pretty well travelled lady. My family are so fussy when travelling that they won’t try anything new it is such a shame.
Bonnie (site owner) · May 24, 2013 at 8:42 am
Well, it’s true, I know our family is not the norm when it comes to being open to new foods and tastes. However these qualities can continue to be nourished in different ways, though it may take extra creativity and persistence. I know that traveling within the U.S. makes it easy for kids to be more fussy because the food they really like is always readily available. Not sure how old your kids are, Linda, but you might also like our post on Picky Eaters. Have you seen that one?
Rachel Williamson · May 24, 2013 at 9:35 am
Love, love, love this article about food and eating healthy in other countries. I experiment frequently with various ethnic dishes. My son is a real ‘foodie’, raising his own produce and cooking adventurously, my daughter….mmmm, not so much. Now I’m working on my youngest grandson….right now his criteria for trying something new is “Did Munga (that’s me) make it?”
Bonnie (site owner) · May 24, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Thanks for your comment, Rachel! It must be fun when you get to the grandkid stage and get to try new things with them. Sounds like your grandson loves your cooking and you are using that to your advantage! Keep encouraging that adventurous eating experience! 🙂
Martin · May 28, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Amazing what all we can learn about someone by reading their blog.
We lived in Thailand for 3 years, and just got back to the USA last year. So, we are still getting used to the eating styles here, as well as missing the eating styles there.
One thing I miss from Asia, is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables year round.
That coupled with lots of rice.
What an enjoyable post
-Martin
Bonnie (site owner) · May 28, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Thailand?! Very cool, Martin! I spent some time in Vietnam and Malaysia before I got married, but have not made it to Thailand yet. Thanks for sharing!