8 Healthiest Cultures with the Best Food in the World (2024)

Think it’s possible for the best-tasting food to come from some of the healthiest cultures? You might be surprised. We can learn from the healthiest cultures to make their best tasting food in the comfort of our own kitchen! If ingredients are hard to find, you’ll have to plan a visit to try some of the nutrient-packed, best food in the world. Ranked in no particular order, here are some of the healthiest cultures with the yummiest dishes:

1. Greece

Ever heard of the Mediterranean diet? It’s a traditional diet that stems from Greek and Italian foods from the 1960s. The diet mainly consists of fresh veggies, fruits, nuts, fish, and olive oil. Such dietary habits reveal a reduced risk in strokes, heart attacks, certain chronic diseases, and depression.

Some amazingly delicious and nutritious dishes from Greece include hummus, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), and melitzanosalata(eggplant salad).

2. Sweden

Sweden is one of the healthiest cultures in the world with some of the best-tasting food. Likewise, it also maintains an unrivaled healthcare system. Similar to the Mediterranean diet, the Nordic Dietemphasizes seasonal, local foods such as herring, bilberries (cousin of blueberries), and rapeseed oil (canola). Swedes love their bread and potatoes, and they traditionally indulge on sweets every Saturday.Similar dietsare also found in Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland.

Following such a Swedish diet can be difficult for those outside the Nordic regions, so you should visit the country to try the best Swedish meals.

3. Israel

Israelis love their salad. With tomatoes and lettuce as local favorites,it’s no question why salads are so prevalent in Israel. Another sister to the Mediterranean diet, Israeli food focuses on legumes, eggplants, and olive oil. Traditional meals in Israel include spices such as mint and tahini that add nutritionalvalue to every meal. Israeli food is excellent on the digestive system because of high levels of vitamins and minerals.

Some tasty and healthy dishes from Israel include falafel, shakshouka (poached eggs), and shawarma (similar to a gyro).

4. Japan

As an island nation, Japan thrives on the seafood market to cook some of the best food in the world. Citizens eat lighter foods such as veggies, soybeans, and fish mixed with broths, rice, or noodles. Opting for fresh or fermented foods, the Japanese eat few refined foods and sugars. Such a diet marks Japan as one of the healthiest cultures in the world.

Some authentic and healthy dishes you should try while visiting Japan include miso soup, soba noodle bowls, and their legendary sushi.

5. Spain

High in fiber and low in fat, the Spanish diet incorporates plenty of beans, veggies, fish, crustaceans, and olive oil. These foods balance omega-3s and carbohydrates in a savory, weight-loss blend. Smaller portions packed with cancer-fighting nutrients and antitoxins make authentic Spanish meals incredibly healthy for you.

A few noteworthy and nutritious Spanish meals include seafood paella and gazpacho. Each is easy to cook from your home kitchen!

6. India

You may be surprisedto find Indian food on this list, but authentic Indian food is incredibly healthy. Western cultures have botched the nutritional value of Indian food by deep frying and smothering dishes with creams. Contrastly, traditional Indian spices add tasty flavors packed with essential amino acids and nutrients.

Authentic Indian curry is magical,making it part of the best food in the world. It’s the crown of Indian dishes with impeccable health benefits such as reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and controlling blood sugar levels.

7. Russia

If you visit Russia, you need to taste their national spin onbuckwheat groatsknown as Kasha. It’s similar to oatmeal, though it’s boosted with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and an insane amount of antitoxins to help reduce blood pressure. Kasha is high in protein, so it keeps you feeling fuller longer.

Other healthy Russian foods you should try include borsch (beet and beef soup), cabbage rolls, and sauerkraut.

Bonus tip: Contrary to the name, buckwheat doesn’t actually contain wheat, which makes it an excellent food for the gluten-free traveler!

8. Ethiopia

Ethiopian food has a unique, spicy flavor as locals season their dishes with hot peppers and berbere powder. Theirdiet is dense in nutrients and low in fat, revolving around teff (an ancient, gluten-free grain), lentils, and a variety of vegetables. It’s a vegetarian’s paradise. Ethiopians also consume large amounts of milk and honey, which provide calcium and antitoxins, respectfully.

Try their gluten-free injera (sourdough flatbread) and split pea stew for some traditional, Ethiopian dishes.

There you have it! The best food in the world can indeed come from the healthiest cultures. Is there a country we missed? What ethnic food from the world’s healthiest cultures would you include? Share your favorite, best-tasting food from a destination you visited.

Check out our other resources for the traveling foodie:

• This is Why European Food Tastes Better: a Healthy Comparison
• Travel Survival Guide for the Gluten Free