Fad diets have gripped social media over the years, including the Mediterranean diet, the “flexitarian diet”, and intermittent fasting, to name a few.
Now, as Ozempic captivates the world with side effects aplenty, avid dieters have been urged to look towards new methods of losing weight which yield “similar metabolic benefits”.
In fact, a diet centred on principles that have been around for the ages has now been hailed as a reliable method to managing blood sugar as well as shedding extra pounds - that is even said to “work like Ozempic”.
Nutritionist Maria AbiHanna has lauded the ancestral diet for its natural ability to promote healthy glucose levels and battling inflammation, urging dieters to swap the weight loss drug for the healthier way of eating.
The Nordic diet could aid people on their weight loss journey
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The menu prioritises locally-sourced fruits, root vegetables, as well as wild seafood that’s available across Scandinavia.
Mostly plant-based, the diet consists of seasonal foods packed full of protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, such as berries and rye bread.
Wild blueberries and rye bread assist in slowing down gastric emptying - which is a key aspect of GLP-1 drugs, which are weight loss drugs.
“Many of the world’s oldest diets already do what GLP-1 drugs aim to replicate,” AbiHanna said.
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“They slow digestion, control hunger, and stabilise blood sugar, without side effects or prescriptions.”
Hanna recommended starting off the morning with a half cup of berries, which can be either fresh or frozen. Later in the day, make a simple lunchtime swap by switching to rye bread for sandwiches.
Finally, try to incorporate two servings (which makes up about 34 ounces) of oily fish like salmon or mackerel each week.
Somewhat similar to the Mediterranean diet, the Nordic diet zones in on anti-inflammatory fats and slowly absorbed carbs, including oily fish and berries in particular. However, one notable difference highlighted by the Cleveland Clinic between the two European diets is oil-based.
Canola oil boasts a lower level of saturated fat than the more regularly-deployed olive oil
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While the Mediterranean menu deploys extra-virgin olive oil, canola oil, which boasts a lower level of saturated fat, is more regularly used in Nordic cooking.
The Cleveland Clinic said that the benefits of such a diet include a drop in inflammation, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Finally, it also promotes weight loss and assists in maintaining a healthy overall weight.
“For people who have arthritis or joint pain, incorporating more whole foods can be the way to reduce inflammation further,” one of the clinic’s dietitians, Courtney Barth, said.
However, before making any major dietary changes to your daily routine, it is best to consult your GP or equivalent medical professional to ensure that this is the best path for you.