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Travel File: Is Icelandic food an alternative to the “healthy Mediterranean diet”?


I think I ate my weight in fish and seafood here!


The Icelandic diet is typically low in saturated fat, yet high in healthy omega 3 fatty acids. This combination is perfect for supporting cardiovascular health. Most of these healthy fats come from fresh, locally caught fish; in fact the Icelandic cuisine contains four times the amount of seafood found in the cuisine of other countries.

The diet of an Icelander tends to be high in fibre and low in sugar, both of which are great factors for balancing blood sugar and preventing type 2 diabetes.

Much of the food is local and seasonal meaning it will be fresher and in some cases more nutrient-dense. Typically, there is very little processed food within the Icelandic diet.

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