7 of the Healthiest Cuisines in the World

Greek

It may come as no surprise to some, but the Greeks follow a healthy diet comprising of unsaturated fats, vegetables, legumes, fish and grains. Many dishes are notably high in nutritional value, with a focus on Omega-3 thanks to the inclusion of sardines, chickpeas and peppers. Renowned for salad and yoghurt, Greek culture certainly provides everything you need for a balanced diet and then some, but you won’t need to sacrifice taste for this cuisine, with dishes such as Moussaka, courgette balls and Dolmade providing an indulgent menu. The greeks are renowned for their dips, so experiment with the food processor to see what you can make at home and add pitta for a sufficient snack. 

Vietnamese

Light, fresh and tasty, the dishes in Vietnamese culture feature plenty of herbs and chilli which infuse both delicious flavour and healthy nutrients. The dish the country is best known for is a noodle-based soup called Pho, which although comes in fairly big portions, is particularly low in fat. Vietnamese noodles are made from rice, making them healthier and easier to digest than their gluten-based counterparts.

Indian

Here in the west, the way we perceive Indian foods to consist of fried delights like samosas, bhajis and creamy curries and thus is perhaps a surprising addition to our list of healthy cuisines. That said, authentic Indian food is actually a lot healthier and the spices that feature so heavily in some of their iconic dishes are shown to protect against cancer, have anti-inflammatory properties and has even been shown to help prevent Alzheimer’s. In fact, many of the core ingredients that make up Indian cuisine are full of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, all of which are required for a balanced diet, and will help you to maintain your waistline. Try out the Malai Kofta and Rogan Josh.

Israeli

The all-important F word refers to falafel in Israel, with the rest of the diet being comparable to countries in the Mediterranean. Legumes, eggplants and olive oil all feature generously, as do ingredients such as mint and tahini for an increased intake of vitamins. The dishes that make up this cuisine are all spiced to perfection, adding both tasty flavour and a boost to both metabolism and digestion. We recommend trying the Sabich, a tasty dish that is served in a pita bread.

South Korean

People in South Korea lead a nutrient-rich diet whilst avoiding the saturated fats that are, in part, responsible for the obesity epidemic that is sweeping Europe and North America. With tofu, eggs, noodles and fish featuring heavily in menu’s up and down the country, it’s no wonder that the average height of someone from South Korea is two inches more than their northern counterparts. Much like the Japanese diet, people in Korea enjoy everything in moderation, and despite barbecue beef being one of the nation’s favourite dishes, the average per capita consumption is just 16 pounds per year compared to the American average of 67 pounds. We recommend trying the Kimchi and Bolgogi.

Japanese

A culture that we, here at OrientalMart can get on board with, the Japanese follow three pillars of healthy eating: balance, variety and moderation. People of Japan are renowned for living long, healthy and happy lives with some places in Japan, such as Okinawa, home to people who often live to 100 years old and beyond. Their diet is full of fruits and vegetables, combined with country staples like seaweed, soy foods, yams, shiitake mushrooms and green tea. Not only is what they eat always a healthy option, but the way in which their meals are prepared contribute to the overall nutritional value of the contents, with most being steamed or quick fried. That said, many dinner guests also practice Hara Hachi Bu, which is essentially eating until you are 80% full, which could also help to explain how and why the people of Japan have established such a healthy relationship with food. A few of our favourite dishes that you could try to replicate at home include ramen and tempura.

Thai

The takeaway of choice for many, it will be music to the ears of families all over the UK and beyond to discover that your Friday night treat is not as unhealthy as first imagined. Many elements of traditionally Thai ingredients are considered to boost the immune system while turmeric, lemongrass and ginger, all of which feature in a variety of dishes, are used in Asian medicine to treat several complaints and illnesses. Thai dishes are not short on vegetables, but also feature a lot of seafood that is rich in omega-3. 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this insight to seven of the healthiest cuisines from around the world, and that it has inspired you to search our oriental supermarket online to find some of the ingredients for you to make these dishes at home! Do you have a favourite cuisine or think one is missing from our list? Let us know via our social media channels!