One of the most exciting ways to travel the world is through exploring the different palates that different cultures have to offer. From country to country, culture to culture, cuisines vary widely and can have a lot to teach about the lifestyle and traditions of their people. Travelling the world through food might sound like a great recipe for adding an extra few inches to your waistline - but that need not be the case.
Many of the world’s most fresh and exciting cuisines are noteworthy for their plentiful health benefits, giving you all the more reason to step outside your comfort zone and give them a try. Here are 10 of the world’s healthiest cuisines to inspire you next time you feel like exploring the world of food without a shred of guilt!
1. Moroccan
Moroccan cuisine is incredibly diverse and in recent years has gained a lot of popularity in Britain and around the world. Moroccans are masters of home-cooking, who use fresh and simple ingredients to create a rich palate bursting with flavour. Notable for staple ingredients such as couscous, dried fruits, and fresh olive oil, Moroccan cuisine boasts plenty of nutrient-rich stews and tagine-cooked dishes.
2. Japanese
The cuisine of Japan has also risen to prominence as a world food in past decades. Dishes such as ramen and sushi use simple, high-quality ingredients to provide well-balanced and nutritious meals. Japanese dishes are usually fairly humble in portion size, meaning that even their more calorie-more favourites such as fried chicken and dumplings are nothing to worry about when it comes to over-eating.
3. Lebanese
One of the most widely beloved Levantine cuisines, Lebanon offers an incredibly broad spectrum of foods to choose from. While some Lebanese dishes are on the more calorie-dense side, featuring a lot of red meat and butter, there are plenty of healthy options to choose from. Favourite ingredients include chickpeas, lentils, couscous, and the national dish is considered by many to be the holy grail of healthy hummus.
4. Mexican
Mexican food may have earned itself somewhat of an unhealthy reputation thanks to its many fast-food spin-offs, but traditional Mexican cuisine is the epitome of fresh and healthy. Beans, corn, and fresh vegetables all feature heavily in traditional Mexican cooking and make for a palate that is incredibly rich in fibre and protein.
5. Greek
Greek cuisine is hailed around the world for its unmatched freshness and diversity. The Greeks make great use of their warm Mediterranean climate, and incorporate tonnes of fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and aubergine. Fresh fish, rich cheeses, and high-quality lamb are protein-rich staples of just about every Greek kitchen.
6. Swedish
Swedish cuisine was first introduced to a whole new global audience thanks to the spread of IKEA around the world, but the rich Scandinavian cuisine extends far beyond meatballs and mashed potatoes. The Swedish palate is notable for its well-balanced portions, highly seasonal produce, and fresh fish bursting with healthy fats and omega 3 oils.
7. Korean
Fermented foods are a staple of Korean cuisine, with Kimchi and Kombucha featuring heavily in the average person’s diet. The presence of healthy bacterial cultures in these fermented foods provides many health benefits, helping to restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut and aid overall digestion. Korean food uses a lot of fresh vegetables in its recipes, making for an even bigger hit of fibre.
8. Spanish
The food one finds in Spain can vary greatly between coastal and more inland regions, but there are some common threads that unite the Iberian palate. Spaniards make great use of their sunny climate to harvest ample amounts of tomatoes, potatoes, and rice, which feature heavily. Fresh fish is a common theme, and classic dishes such as paella and patatas bravas offer a perfectly balanced mix of carbs, vegetables, and protein.
9. Ethiopian
The East African cuisine of Ethiopia is best known for its heavy use of vegetables, and heavily spiced meat dishes. Normally, these dishes are cooked by stewing meat in spices and serving them alongside wat, a fresh and filling sourdough flatbread. Due to the traditions of the Orthodox church in Ethiopia, many people refuse to eat animal products throughout the many fasting periods of the year - meaning much of Ethiopian cuisine is vegan.
10. Italian
There is perhaps no cuisine in the world more revered for the sheer freshness and simplicity of their recipes. Italians are known for having mastered the art of “less is more” and regularly create spectacular and healthy dishes with three ingredients/ A well-balanced diet of fresh pasta, fresh vegetables, and fresh olive oil make for a perfect hit of carbs, fibre, and protein without any nasty additives.
So next time you’re feeling like a trip to an exotic new palate, bear these options in mind for a guilt-free yet flavoursome experience guaranteed to feel good - mind and body!
