Posted Feb 3, 2010
Harley Pasternak’s top 10 reads like a list of exotic travel destinations: Japan, Singapore, China, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Israel, Greece.
But those are his top 10 healthiest nations on the planet, as determined by factors such as obesity rate, life expectancy and health-insurance coverage.
So the celebrity trainer/nutritionist has a new book, “The 5 Factor World Diet,” to teach Americans how to practice portion control and include soy in their diets like the Japanese, or eat heart-healthy, cold-water fish and get lots of outdoor exercise like the Swedish.
It’s an eye-opening look at world cuisine, culture and fitness. For instance:
–Only 27 percent of Swedes are overweight, and less than 12 percent are obese — despite the fact that their diet is typically 51 percent carbohydrates and heavy on potatoes.
–Every morning, right before dawn, millions of Chinese gather in public parks all over the country and exercise together.
–Only 3 percent of Japanese women are considered obese, compared to 33 percent of U.S. women.
–Most of the week, Italians stick to small portions. Sunday is the one day they indulge in massive, filling meals.
–In Spain and France, lunch is typically a larger, more substantial meal than dinner.
From studying those countries’ food habits, Pasternak developed his five factors for a better diet — eating low-fat, high-quality protein at every meal; whole grains, fruits and vegetables instead of refined carbohydrates; fiber-rich meals; healthy fats; and low-calorie sugar-free beverages such as water, coffee and green tea.
Cary Aspinwall 581-8477 cary.aspinwall@tulsaworld.com
Date: Jan 28, 2010
To see more of the Tulsa World, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tulsaworld.com.
Copyright © 2010, Tulsa World, Okla.