“Cooking is a major part of the Scandinavian culture and something kids are taught to do from an early age. Combined with almost-universal access to fresh produce and fish, Scandinavians generally eat healthier than most Americans,” says Christel Oerum, a diabetes advocate and Danish-expat living in Los Angeles.
Sweden has a well-funded and comprehensive healthcare system, with universal access to healthcare for all citizens. According to OECD data, Sweden spent 9.9% of its GDP on healthcare in 2019, which is higher than the average healthcare spending for OECD countries.
Healthy fuel
A traditional Swedish diet generally consists of a lot of oily fish, notably salmon and herring, berries – particularly blueberries – turkey and chicken, low GI whole grains such as rye, oats and barley and lots of root vegetables and beans.
Swedish food is known for being both delicious, nutritious and sustainable. Sweden is leading the way with its famous superfoods, and by developing a wide variety of lactose- and gluten- and meat-free food alternatives.
Scandinavians have long had one of the lowest obesity rates in Europe. And nutritionists now believe that the natural goodness of their local fare – foods such as low-fat dairy, cod, red meat, berries and rye bread – is their secret weapon.
The Scandinavians have some of the perfect skin in the world. The women (and men) of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland are known for their porcelain-like complexions, which they achieve by following a few simple steps.
If obesity is defined according to WHO recommendations (BMI for men greater than 30.0 kg m-2, and for women greater than 28.6 kg m-2), then 34.5% of all men in our sample were found to be overweight and 6.6% were found to be obese. The corresponding figures for women are 31.2% and 13.1%.
1/ Okinawan diet – Japan
Widely considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world, the Okinawan diet has numerous health benefits. So much so that Japan has the lowest obesity rates and second longest life expectancy of any developed country.
Smörgåstårta is Sweden's number one feast meal. This is where we put everything we like on bread, in layers, and serve it as a cake. There aren't really any rules on what goes in the cake – you pick whatever you like or have available.
Swedish cuisine could be described as centered around cultured dairy products, crisp and soft (often sugared) breads, berries and stone fruits, beef, chicken, lamb, pork, eggs, and seafood. Potatoes are often served as a side dish, often boiled.
Australians have access to high-quality, timely and affordable healthcare at every stage of life. Medicare is Australia's universal health care system, providing free public hospital care and patient subsidies for medical services, while the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme keeps medicines affordable.
Citizens' longevity is due in part to Sweden's commitment to environmental cleanliness. The water quality is satisfactory; 96 percent of those included in a poll approved of their country's drinking water. A lack of pollutants may also contribute to Sweden's higher-than-average life expectancy.
It probably comes down to genetics as most physical attributes do, and to the fact that living in a sparsely populated harsh climate, as many others have mentioned, necessitates hard physical labor done alone. Still, genetics is the likely underpinning of that strength.
Top 10 Healthiest Countries in the World (2021 Global Health Security Index): United States — 75.9. Australia — 71.1. Finland — 70.9.
Scandinavian countries are renowned for their healthy lifestyles, and Sweden takes it to the next level. There are tons of reasons why Swedes are some of the healthiest people in the world, but the Scandinavian diet is one of the most influential.
Oatmeal or porridge is very common for Swedish breakfast. What is this? Serve it with some fresh fruits or a dollop of marmalade and a cup of coffee, and you're off to a good start.
Bear in mind that Swedes eat early; lunch will be served from 11am, dinner from 6pm. It's always a good idea to book a table to avoid disappointment, particularly during the summer months of June to August when tables can be at a premium.
The U.S. is the unhealthiest country globally because of its high obesity rate and the heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses that go along with it. America has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world—and it's not just adults who are getting heavier and heavier: childhood obesity is also a problem.
Madagascar had the WORST SCORE in terms of food quality. An average of 79% of people's consumption is derived from nutrient-poor cereals, roots and tubers, compared to a global average of 47%. It also tied with India in the THIRD WORST POSITION for undernourishment levels.
Australia ranked 9th out of 21 countries with available data for the proportion of people aged 15 and over who were living with overweight or obesity (65%) – this was greater than the OECD average of 60%.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the most obese countries are primarily located in the Pacific and the Middle East. The Pacific island nations of Nauru, Cook Islands, and Palau have the highest rates of obesity, with over 30% of their populations being classified as obese.