[Podcast] How to Eat Like the Blue Zones In America

You may have heard of the so-called "Blue Zones" - areas of the planet where the population lives longer, healthier lives than the rest of the world.

There has been a fair amount of research done on these Blue Zones in recent years, and this podcast episode interviews one of the foremost researchers of the world's Blue Zones - Dan Buettner.

Dan is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and New York Times bestselling author. His most recent book, Blue Zones American Kitchen, "uncovers the traditional roots of plant-forward cuisine in the United States."

While there is only one Blue Zone in the U.S., there are some hidden traditions that cooks around America have passed from generation to generation that we can embrace to create our own Blue Zone right at home.

Check it out below!

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Mark Hyman and Dan Buettner discuss why chronic disease is so rampant in the US, what we can learn from the Blue Zones around the world, and how to bring Blue Zone principles into our own kitchens while embracing American traditions.

You'll also learn how food options, stress, toxins, and a sedentary lifestyle are all contributing to rates of illness, and mindful steps to help you take back control and make  positive changes in your own environment for greater health and longevity. 

Here's more about what's covered in this episode:

1. Why we are seeing a drop in life expectancy (5:26 )
2. Why, if you’re overweight and unhealthy in America, it’s probably not your fault (7:40)
3. 9 lifestyle characteristics of Blue Zone inhabitants - and no, it's not all about food! (9:42)
4. How Dan discovered the Blue Zones and healthy habits of the world’s longest-lived people (12:09)
5. Cooking and longevity (20:32)
6. Cuisine of the Gullah/Geechee people (28:05)
7. Traditional Native American diets (31:22)
8. Traditional Latin American cuisine (36:13)
9. Eating well on a budget (41:07)
10. Dan’s work to make the healthy choice the easy choice (44:50)
11. The influence of Asian cuisine in America (50:07)

As Dan discusses, changing your behavior is difficult. Changing your environment is much more effective. And the good news is, there are many things you can do to create a healthier environment for yourself in your home environment. Implementing just a few of the suggestions mentioned in this podcast could potentially increase both your health, your happiness, and your longevity.

I hope you found this helpful, and look forward to sharing more ways to live a healthier, happier, more balanced lifestyle in the year ahead!

Until then, I wish you and your loved ones the Merriest of Christmases!  :-)

Rose.