The Happiest Diet in the World

by Giulia Crouch

The secret to a long, healthy life? It's really very simple... Giulia Crouch always knew there was something magical about the life of her Sardinian grandparents, so she was not surprised when Sardinia's Nuoro mountain region was identified by scientists as one of five 'blue zones' around the world. These are places where people exhibit remarkable longevity and experience little of the disease which plagues our modern society, such as obesity, cancer, type 2 diabetes and dementia. There is a host of reasons why the blue zoners are thought to live so long and so well - including supportive social networks, unintentional exercise, plenty of sunshine - but it is what they eat and how they eat that, in Giulia's view, is the most important. Her grandparents did not eat anything because it was 'healthy'. They ate for flavour and simple, delicious food that was nourishing without even trying. Food for them was much more than bodily fuel ­- it was about family, creativity, love, culture, identity, mindfulness, expression and joy. In The Happiest Diet in the World, Giulia takes us on a culinary journey to these long-lived communities, where instincts and taste buds rule. With the help of top experts in science and nutrition, she identifies what the different cuisines of these places have in common and why their diets may be keeping them so healthy and happy. With fascinating insights into everything from fasting to meat eating, sugar to wine-drinking, gut health and the incredible power of beans, along with 50 recipes inspired by Giulia's grandparents' cooking, this book shows us how to incorporate the key aspects of the super-agers' diet into ours and how to reconnect with an instinctive ancient wisdom that, because of the powerful pull of the food industry, we are in danger of losing

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2024

Reviews

[Joshua Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finito. A lovely book that serves as an antidote to all that is wrong with ‘diet’ literature. Sincere, actionable food advice with fun and eyebrow raising cultural touchpoints. Really nicely paced and structured.

Brava, Giulia.

[Rebecca-Louise Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book that demonstrates the traditions of Blue Zone lifestyles. Full of information, statistics and beautiful recipes at the back to use once the book has been finished! A great viewpoint on how different countries eat to live till they’re over 100 and do it with of the food they eat!

[Abigail Faircloth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new if you follow the blue zone advice, but useful reminders for how and why to choose food wisely. Sadly, as the book states, the food industry isn’t incentivised to help people eat healthier and governments seem occupied with other issues, even though making healthy food more affordable and educating kids and families would save a huge amount for the NHS. Bring back Hancock’s ‘drink a pint of milk a day’ type chants! Veg & beans could save lives. Literally.

[Grace Whalley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative read without feeling like I was reading some archaic science textbook. Guilia has a beautiful tone and the messages of the blue zones were communicated clearly through her and her family.

Great food for thought x

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an informative read. I have read many books about the Blue Zone diet and its benefits. It does also share more additional new information as well. This book provides some great recipes too.