Diets of the oldest living people

Some of the oldest living people have been studied for their diets and lifestyle and have shown some consistent trends despite being in different parts of the world.

The Blue Zones consist of Okinawa Japan, Sardinia Italy, Nicoya Costa Rica, Ikaria Greece and Loma Linda California USA.

People living in these parts of the word mostly consume plant foods (vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains). They have a high intake of legumes and occasionally eat meat (for special occasions or eaten sparingly.) In these parts of the world, they also prefer healthy fats (olive oil, nuts), low or no consumption of processed food and added sugar. They also have a moderate calorie intake, often stopping eating before feeling full.

Another diet that is worth mentioning is the Hunza diet from the Hunza people of Pakistan. Similar to the blue zones, Hunza people eat a lot of fresh local food with moderate to no processed food, sugar or seed oils. They are also very active and have access to fresh glacier water which is rich in minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Hunza people also eat seasonally and locally, for example, in the spring they eat fresh greens, dried apricots and fast. 

There is a lot that we can learn from people in these communities. What is your biggest takeaway here?