" The world would surely be in a different state of affairs if we could be as open-minded and -hearted about understanding people and cultures as we are about their food.
Although the typical Russian … "
- Alexandra Teagan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI, USA
July 19, 2008:
Alexandra Teagan's blog has a post today titled "Learning From Different Cultures". This is what it says:
Russians: Life of Centenarians
The world would surely be in a different state of affairs if we could be as open-minded and -hearted about understanding people and cultures as we are about their food.
Although the typical Russian diet, like the average American diet, is not a healthful one, there are certain tribes that live in the Caucaus Mountains whose diet and lifestyle are worth taking a look at.
The tribes of centenarians (people who live to the age of 100 or more) inhabiting there have been the subject of many studies. These studies have shown that these mentally alert, sprightly, and generally very slim centenarians eat an average 1,700 to 1,900 calories a day, and that the younger adults eat 2,500 to 3,000 calories a day.
Those calories are made up of mostly complex carbohydrates, as they eat very moderate amounts of protein foods (between 15 and 20 percent) and sparse amounts of fat (less than 10 percent).
About 70 to 75 percent of their diet is made up of plant foods, with milk and milk products being their primary protein food.
One mainstay is a cultured milk product they call matzoni, which resembles cultured buttermilk.
Their dietary habits that contribute to good health are:
They eat large quantities of fresh fruit, which is available about ¾ of the year. Whole pieces of fresh fruit and matzoni are their healthful snacks food.
They use honey as a sweetener; no refined sugar (or any other refined products, for that matter).
Vegetables are most commonly served raw or cooked in very small amounts of water.
They drink no coffee, preferring spring water to well water.
Along with what they eat, how and when they eat also contributes to their physical well-being. They take small bites and they chew their food slowly. They eat an early, substantial breakfast (about 7 – 8 am), a hearty dinner around midday (2-3 pm), a very light snack or meal later in the afternoon, and avoid eating shortly before bedtime.
In relation to how many calories they consume, it’s necessary to point out that they are a not sedentary people. Rather, from youth to old age they are all physically active and agile.
July 19, 2008
RUSSIA: Learning From Different Cultures
" The world would surely be in a different state of affairs if we could be as open-minded and -hearted about understanding people and cultures as we are about their food.
Although the typical Russian … "
- Alexandra Teagan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI, USA
July 19, 2008:
Alexandra Teagan's blog has a post today titled "Learning From Different Cultures". This is what it says:
Russians: Life of Centenarians
The world would surely be in a different state of affairs if we could be as open-minded and -hearted about understanding people and cultures as we are about their food.
Although the typical Russian diet, like the average American diet, is not a healthful one, there are certain tribes that live in the Caucaus Mountains whose diet and lifestyle are worth taking a look at.
The tribes of centenarians (people who live to the age of 100 or more) inhabiting there have been the subject of many studies. These studies have shown that these mentally alert, sprightly, and generally very slim centenarians eat an average 1,700 to 1,900 calories a day, and that the younger adults eat 2,500 to 3,000 calories a day.
Those calories are made up of mostly complex carbohydrates, as they eat very moderate amounts of protein foods (between 15 and 20 percent) and sparse amounts of fat (less than 10 percent).
About 70 to 75 percent of their diet is made up of plant foods, with milk and milk products being their primary protein food.
One mainstay is a cultured milk product they call matzoni, which resembles cultured buttermilk.
Their dietary habits that contribute to good health are:
They eat large quantities of fresh fruit, which is available about ¾ of the year. Whole pieces of fresh fruit and matzoni are their healthful snacks food.
They use honey as a sweetener; no refined sugar (or any other refined products, for that matter).
Vegetables are most commonly served raw or cooked in very small amounts of water.
They drink no coffee, preferring spring water to well water.
Along with what they eat, how and when they eat also contributes to their physical well-being. They take small bites and they chew their food slowly. They eat an early, substantial breakfast (about 7 – 8 am), a hearty dinner around midday (2-3 pm), a very light snack or meal later in the afternoon, and avoid eating shortly before bedtime.
In relation to how many calories they consume, it’s necessary to point out that they are a not sedentary people. Rather, from youth to old age they are all physically active and agile.
