9 Healthiest Ethnic Cuisines

Greek

Greek meals generally consist of small yet satisfying portions with a Mediterranean touch.

Authentic Greek food usually includes fresh fruit, leafy veggies, beans which are high in fiber, as well as nuts and olives. Sometimes they are compliments to the main course. But more often than not, they are the main course.

Maintaining a Greek diet has been shown to cut the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

California Fresh Just because you dont live in California doesnt mean you cant enjoy what the Golden State has to offer. Produce coming out of California is mainly seasonal, and requires minimal preparation. Broccoli rabe, mushrooms, and veggie skewers are just a few things that typify the California Fresh style of cooking. One of the best ways to get super fresh ingredients wherever you are is to frequent your local farmers market. They tend to carry healthy fruits, nuts and veggies that are grown close to home, which means they dont have the preservatives you would get from something that was shipped cross-country.

Vietnamese

Vietnamese cuisine is known for including herbs like cilantro, mint, and red chilis in a majority of its dishes. These herbs are some of the main ingredients for maintaining a healthy digestive system.

A popular Vietnamese dish is pho (pronounced fuh), which is a broth-based noodle soup that can come with an assortment of sides like chicken, peppers, or green onions. It's also packed with anti-oxidants. All of which help to make it a delicious, satisfying, and healthy meal.

Indian Best known for its curry dishes, Indian food is chock full of spices that are great for battling different diseases. It is a delicious way of adding some spice to your eating habits. Lentils, which are filled with fiber, can be mixed with typical Indian spices like ginger (which is great for fighting Alzheimers disease), and garam masala (which is a mixture of all types of healthy spices including black pepper, cumin, cinnamon and others) for a for a great side dish to any curry meal.

Italian

Theres a lot more to offer than just pizza or spaghetti and meatballs when it comes to Italian cuisine. The Americanized version Italian food has given it an unwelcome, fatty image.

Traditional Italian meals are full of healthy ingredients like olive oil, fresh roma tomatoes (which contain lycopene, known for protecting women against breast cancer), garlic, and parsley.

Spanish

Spanish food includes tapas, which are small appetizer-like dishes that can have a huge variety of flavors. Favorites types include Alioli (simply garlic and oil on top of bread) or gambas (prawns sauteed in peppercorn sauce, garlic and chopped chili peppers).

Another popular and healthy Spanish dish is paella, a rice dish that can have a number of healthy ingredients mixed into it. Paella can include shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters and many other healthy proteins.

Mexican

Another victim of American ways of cooking! Authentic Mexican food actually has many dishes that include ingredients like beans and corn that are heart-healthy, and have been known to fight breast cancer. Some Mexican ingredients can even help protect you from developing type 2 diabetes.

South American South American cuisine varies depending on the country you go to, but their diets typically include a majority of fruits, veggies, and grains like quinoa, which is high in protein. A popular dish no matter where you go is ceviche, which usually includes fresh seafood like shrimp or scallops. Essentials for ceviche include cilantro, tomatoes, onions and chili peppers.

Thai

Thai food is held in high regard for its soup-based dishes. Many Thai soups include a vast array of spices that make them both tasty and healthy.

Tom Yung Goong soup, for instance, can help boost your immune system. The soup includes shrimp, coriander, lemongrass (great for the cold and stomach ailments), ginger (excellent for fighting digestive issues), and turmeric.