If you are having trouble losing weight and staying healthy, you might want to take a look around the world. While the rates of obesity and serious health problems are growing in many parts of the world, those levels have yet to reach the epidemic proportions we see in the United States.
The fact that the rest of the world suffers from far lower rates of obesity and chronic disease should be a clue to us in the U.S., and there are plenty of things we can learn from our counterparts overseas. Just looking at how others around the world control their weight, incorporate exercise into their daily activities and live a healthier lifestyle is instructive.
Eat Low on the Food Chain
Meat is a staple of the American diet, but that is not true everywhere. In fact, in many parts of the globe, eating low on the food chain is a way of life. A diet rich in grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and other staples is commonplace throughout the world, and we can learn a lot from our worldwide counterparts.
Instead of making meat the centerpiece of every dish, take a cue from those in Asia, Africa and Europe and use it as more of a garnish. You can still enjoy the healthy protein you crave, but eating less of it can help you lose weight and avoid the health complications that come with obesity and a less than healthy diet.
Smart City Design
In many parts of the world, cities are designed for pedestrians, not for cars. The design of American cities and their surrounding suburbs seems custom made for weight gain, forcing workers off their feet and into their cars and limiting the amount of healthy exercise they get.
You may not be able to redesign your city or move out of the suburbs, but you can make exercise a part of your daily life. Instead of driving to work every day, consider riding your bike a few days a week, or even walking if you live close enough. When you go shopping, park at one end of the strip mall and walk from store to store. Every extra step you take brings you one step closer to a healthier lifestyle.
Seafood-Rich Diets
Throughout Asia, seafood is a staple of the daily diet, and people in those parts of the world have far lower rates of obesity than those in the United States. A diet rich in seafood is also rich in healthy fatty acids, nutrients which can reduce health problems like heart disease.
Whether you enjoy a sushi snack at lunchtime or grill up a big salmon steak on the grill, eating a diet rich in seafood can be good for your waistline, and your overall health.
When you want to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, it helps to look at how others have achieved success. Taking a look at how those around the world lose weight and stay healthy can help you mimic their success, shedding those extra pounds and enjoying a healthier lifestyle going forward.
