Reindeer and meatballs for dinner: Researchers promote Nordic diet to curb obesity

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-18 16:12

Olive oils on show in Barcelona. Although lauded for its health benefits, the Mediterranean diet can be hard for some northern Europeans to stick to[Agencies]

Professor Astrup, of the University of Copenhagen, added: 'There is increasing evidence that the fat in meat is not as unhealthy as we are led to believe.

'The protein content of low-fat dairy products, healthy fish and lean beef is very beneficial if you want to feel full for fewer calories. To maintain a healthy body weight, these parts of the diet should not be excluded.'

Salmon, trout, cod and herring also feature in traditional Nordic diets, as well as lean meat from elk and reindeer, said the professor. He added that the rate of obesity in Scandinavia-is around 60 per cent of that in the UK.

'We want to create something that can go up against the trend-setters like McDonald's, something that people will stick to,' he said. 'At least some British people will like it very much.'

Enlarge Professor Astrup, who is president of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, showed last year that Atkins-like high-protein diets can stop slimmers from piling the pounds back on.

In contrast, the popular GI diet, which distinguishes between 'good' and 'bad' carbohydrates, does nothing to prevent weight from creeping back up.

Professor Astrup said that results from a study of 250 male and female dieters showed that proteins, not carbohydrates, were the key to winning the battle of the bulge.

The study's participants were asked to follow one of four diets for six months to work out the best strategy for maintaining weight loss.

The diets contained either high or low levels of protein, coupled with high or low GI foods.

Low glycaemic index, or GI, foods - such as porridge and wholemeal bread - are said to curb hunger pangs, while white bread and rice are high GI and should be avoided.

The professor said that at the end of the study, those following a highprotein diet had done best. They had barely gained any weight, no matter what the GI rating of their meals.

However, those on a low-protein diet had piled on the pounds - even when eating lots of supposedly healthy low GI carbohydrates. It is thought the results can be explained by protein's ability to make us feel full. Protein is also more effective at speeding up the metabolism.

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