Many different dairy products are consumed in
large quantities in Scandinavia. These includes not
only milk, but also buttermilk, sour cream, and many
different types of cheese. Each country or region of
Scandinavia produces its own unique types of cheese.
In many areas cheese is eaten at nearly every meal.
Scandinavians also eat a variety of fruits and veg-
etables, although because of the winters, fresh fruits
and vegetables are available only a few months each
year. In the summer, many different kinds of berries
are eaten including strawberries and blueberries. Ber-
ries and other fruits are often made into jams, pre-
serves, or jellies so that they can be enjoyed during the
winter. Scandinavians also eat many different types of
vegetables including cabbage, beets, potatoes, apples,
and onions. All of these vegetables tend to store well,
which means that they could be kept through the
winter even when no refrigeration was available.
Scandinavian cooking is generally simple. In Scan-
dinavia most people eat three meals a day plus take
some kind of coffee break. Dessert is usually eaten, but
is not usually very sweet, and often consists of fruits or
pastries. Special pastries or other foods are made for
various different holidays and celebrations. Each differ-
ent holiday has its own traditional foods that vary
depending on the holiday and the country in which it
is being celebrated.
FunctionThe traditional Scandinavian diet contains many
different types of preserved, dried, or salted foods. This
allowed Scandinavians to survive the long winter
months when few fresh foods were available. Today,
Scandinavians do not need to depend so heavily on
foods that can last through the winter because of freez-
ing, refrigeration, modern growing techniques, and
advanced transportation technology. However, the tra-
ditional foods are still popular.BenefitsThere may be many benefits to following a Scan-
dinavian diet. Scandinavians tend to eat large quanti-
ties of fish and other seafood as well as turkey,
chicken, and other types of poultry. Seafood and poul-
try are generally considered lean meats. They are good
sources ofproteinand do not contain as much fat as
other types of meat such as beef. Poultry and seafood
tend to be low in saturatedfats. Saturated fats are fats
that are generally solid at room temperature, such as
butter and animal fat. Diets high in saturated fats have
been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular dis-
ease as well as other diseases and conditions.
The Scandinavian diet contains large quantities of
fish. Fish are generally considered a good source of
omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are necessary for
good health, but cannot be manufactured by the
body. Some evidence suggests that including these in a
healthy diet may help prevent cardiovascular disease.
Eating a diet that is low in fatty meats can also help to
control weight. Protein is a necessary part of any
healthy diet, and getting protein from sources such as
seafood and poultry that are low in fat can help a dieter
eliminate unnecessary calories from the diet.RisksEvery diet has some risks associated with it. The
Scandinavian diet is often high insodiumbecause the
traditional diet includes so many salted, cured, or oth-
erwise preserved foods. A high level of sodium intake
has many risks associated with it. Some sources indicate
that a diet including a large quantity of salted and salt-
cured foods has led Scandinavians to have an increased
incidence of stomachcancer. People who eat diets high
in sodium have a higher risk of developing high blood
pressure. High blood pressure can lead to cardiovascu-
lar disease and even stroke or heart attack. A diet high
in sodium also tends to cause water retention which can
cause a dieter to feel bloated and uncomfortable.
Some Scandinavians have diets that are high in
saturated fats. This is due to the consumption of large
amounts of dairy products such as cheese, buttermilk,
and sour cream that contain a lot of saturated fat. A diet
high in saturated fat has been shown to increase the risk
ofobesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Foods that are high in saturated fat also tend to be high
in calories, which can lead to unwanted weight gain.KEY TERMS
Diabetes mellitus—A condition in which the body
either does not make or cannot respond to the hor-
mone insulin. As a result, the body cannot use glu-
cose (sugar). There are two types, type 1 or juvenile
onset and type 2 or adult onset.
Dietary supplement—A product, such as a vitamin,
mineral, herb, amino acid, or enzyme, that is
intended to be consumed in addition to an individ-
ual’s diet with the expectation that it will improve
health.Scandinavian diet