Top 10 Health Tips from Cultures Around the World

From stress-relieving siestas to immune system-boosting herbs and spices, just about every culture around the globe offers unique, effective tips and solutions for managing weight and staying healthy.

To live healthier and enjoy a higher quality of life, check out these 10 global health tips from cultures all around the world:

1. Use the Freshest, Highest-Quality Ingredients You Can

All too many busy Americans choose processed foods over natural. Processed food options are often packed with sugar, salt and other additives that can be very damaging to health. Try instead to take cues from countries like Japan and Italy who favor farm-fresh, seasonal produce in their cuisines. Go to local markets and buy your ingredients fresh -- organic, if possible. If you're ambitious, consider growing your own food.

2. Eat From All of the Food Groups

Many people move from one "food fad" to another, cutting out fat one week and carbs the next. However, diets like the Mediterranean diet, which embraces all things in moderation, are renowned as incredibly healthy. The Mediterranean diet allows for carbs, wine, dairy and olive oil, and those who eat this way often remain healthy.

3. Favor Fish Over Meats

Red meat is a staple of many diets, and it's believed to be one of the causes of heart disease worldwide. A healthier protein option follows Icelandic and Japanese diets, which are rich in seafood.

High in Omega 3s, not only is seafood great for heart health, it can also lower one's propensity toward “winter blues", or seasonal affective disorder.

4. Eat Slowly and Take Time to Savor Food

Take a page from European cultures such as Italy and France, where food is savored in a very leisurely fashion. Taking a longer amount of time to eat meals and savoring each bite allows you to enjoy your meals more and reduce the risk of over-consuming.

It takes at least 20 minutes for the body to register a full feeling. Dining with others also enhances this savoring effect and allows you to better gauge how much you are eating.

5. Stop Eating Before Feeling Completely Full

The Okinawans have the world’s longest life expectancy and have a practice of eating until they feel just 80% full. This habit is known as "hara hachi bu".

Eating more slowly help you to recognize when you feel full and avoid overeating. Remember that it takes 20 minutes to register feeling full.

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Author: Chetan Hindu