World's Best Diet is a two-part documentary series that sees Jimmy Doherty and Kate Quilton travel around the globe, looking at the dietary habits of countries, tribes and communities. Ahead of episode 1, which airs this Monday night at 9.30pm on SBS, here are some digestible facts, stats and ranks that this 2014 documentary series brings to the table.
1. Turkey-what now?
The Marshall Islands might look like a tropical paradise, but this sea-bound nation is home to the world’s highest rate of death by diabetes. Why? The American Occupation in 1944 brought an end to the inhabitants’ hunter-gatherer diet and initiated a dependency on imported – often canned – food. Today, cheap items, such as Spam, corned beef and the ultra-fatty turkey tail, have replaced fresh vegetables and even seafood. World ranking: #50.
Source: World's Best Diets
2. Not so ‘thrifty’
Marshall Islands’ inhabitants are also thought to possess the ‘thrifty gene’, which means their bodies put on weight quickly in times of abundance in order to survive periods of famine. This gene leaves them in greater danger of developing diabetes. The disease has become so prevalent, it’s the leading cause for amputation at the local hospital.
3. Cut down on zee vodka!
There’s one simple reason the diet is ranked so poorly on the decent-to-disastrous scale: the nation loves a tipple. Nearly one-quarter of Russian men die before the age of 55 and alcohol, namely vodka, is a big contributor. The esteemed spirit leads to liver disease, alcohol poisoning, liquor-related accidents and drunken fights. Scorecard: #49. (There's plenty to like about Russian food, though. Try this vegetable-laden '' from .)
Source: Masha Davydova
4. Sugar rush
comes in at #44. Traditionally, the country’s diet was based on corn, beans, vegetables and, wait for it, worms, but today one-third of Mexicans are obese. Since the nation signed a free trade agreement with the USA in 1994, junk food, sweets and sugary drinks have become pervasive. Mexicans drink, on average, half a litre of soda per day. (For healthy Mexican recipes, head .)
Source: World's Best Diets
5. For the love of fructose
Ah, … home of the brave and a whole lotta fast food. We can thank President Nixon for the mass-production of high fructose corn syrup, a cheap sugar substitute now in thousands of processed products. The liquid is linked to weight gain and Type Two diabetes. The US, you rank #43.
Tourists might think of Australia as a sun-kissed land of beach-worthy bodies, but it turns out we have one of the fastest-growing rates of obesity in the world, weighing in at #38.
7. Ready-made calorie overload
In the 1960s , one per cent of males and two per cent of females were obese. Today, both of those figures sit at a startling 25 per cent! England consumes more microwavable meals than any other European nation, meaning many families are living on an unsustainable diet of meat, dairy, wheat, sugar and vegetable oil. Rating: #34.
8. Dark and stouty
Fans of Irish will be happy to note the dark beer contains fewer calories than many popular beers. Perhaps the – rating better than Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England at #33 – are onto something. (Try this , and invite your friends over.)
Homemade stout mustard Source: Alan Benson
9. Not so quinoa
might be home to a superfood, but this South American nation doesn’t receive 'Super Healthy' status, coming in at #31. It’s said the demand for quinoa has turned the seed from a cheap staple into an unaffordable luxury for locals. We grow this great little grain in Australia too. Try this . (Check out our or try this .)
Source: Alan Benson
10. Seed the difference
Malnutrition affects many Ethiopians, but those who can afford to shop at the outdoor markets predominantly purchase grains, pulses, vegetables and the ‘wonder seed’, teff. This unprocessed grain is high in soluble fibre and iron, and makes up two-thirds of the protein Ethiopians consume. It’s most commonly ground into flour to make , a flat, served with lentils, vegetables or, on special occasions, meat. Studies show this high-fibre, low- or no-meat diet can significantly lower the risk of colon cancer. , you place #24.
Ethiopian bread (injera) Source: SBS Food
11. Making light of meaty issues
For the Masai tribe of Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania, meat, milk and cow’s blood are always on the menu. Despite the high-fat content, this diet ranks #23 in the world, as the Massais are known to possess consistently low cholesterol levels. Some believe this is a biological adaptation to the diet.
12. It’s the Inuit diet, innit?
It wouldn’t be too far-flung a theory to say the Inuits are the original Atkins eaters, gaining their energy from protein and fat, not carbohydrates. The Inuit diet, which includes seal liver, raw brain and whale skin, is surprisingly high in Vitamin C and other nutrients. That said, it’s not for everyone. Many explorers died of scurvy while consuming similar fare. Ranking: #22.
To find recipes by cuisine, head on over . World's Best Diet is a two-part documentary airing 9.30pm Monday, July 22 and July 29 on SBS and then via .
