The Vikings are often remembered for their explorations and raids, but their dietary habits are now gaining some attention too. The “Viking Diet,” sometimes referred to as the “Nordic Diet,” is based on what people in the Nordic region consumed between the 8th and 11th centuries and is seeing a modern resurgence.
So, is this ancient way of eating something worth including in your daily meals?
Lauren Harris-Pincus, a registered dietitian and food blogger from New Jersey, discussed the Viking Diet with Fox News Digital, highlighting its aspects, benefits, and some precautions along with practical tips on how to incorporate it into contemporary life.
What Does the Viking Diet Look Like?
According to Harris-Pincus, the foods available to the Vikings were a bit different than what we have today. The Viking (or Scandinavian) diet shares similarities with popular wellness trends now. “Like the Mediterranean diet, it’s primarily based on whole foods,” she mentioned.
Experts have noted that while there’s a lot of excitement around certain ultra-nutritious foods right now, many people are still consuming more than half of their calories from low-quality, unhealthy sources.
Fiber-rich carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains support gut health and can help in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.
Harris-Pincus pointed out a crucial point: “It’s not practical to try to follow the Viking diet exactly in today’s food landscape.”
She listed key staples of the Viking Diet, which include:
- Vegetables: onions, garlic, green onions, cabbage, carrots, turnips, parsnips
- Nuts: walnuts, hazelnuts
- Fruits: raspberries, bilberries, plums, wild apples
- Meats: from cows, pigs, sheep, ducks, chickens, and sometimes even horses or geese
- Seafood: herring, salmon, mackerel, whale, and seal meat
- Grains: rye, barley, oats, millet, buckwheat
- Dairy: milk, butter, cheese
- And, of course, eggs, salt, and spices for preservation
Beer and mead—a honey-based fermented drink—were also commonly consumed, sometimes even by children due to limited access to clean water.
Potential Downsides
While appealing for its natural and unprocessed concept, the Viking Diet has some potential drawbacks. “This diet tends to have a lot of meat and animal fats compared to something like the Mediterranean diet,” Harris-Pincus cautioned.
She added that the high-fat nature of the Viking diet helped them withstand harsh winters, but excessive saturated fat poses a risk to cardiovascular health. Additionally, many preserved foods from that time contained a lot of sodium, which could also affect heart health. And let’s be honest, a lifestyle rich in beer isn’t typically aligned with a healthy lifestyle.
Tips for Embracing the Viking Spirit
If you’re thinking of adopting elements of the Viking diet, Harris-Pincus suggests skipping the meads and instead focusing on the healthier habits.
“People can always eat more whole foods, especially those rich in fiber, while cutting back on heavily processed ingredients filled with sugars, fats, and sodium,” she advised.
Experts also suggest that simplifying your cooking, and using high-quality ingredients at home, can create a positive shift in your eating habits.
“It’s not necessary to adhere strictly to the Viking diet today, nor is it practical,” she concluded. “However, cooking at home with nutritious, high-protein, and fiber-rich ingredients is always a good idea.”
