Maybe you’ve tried the Atkins diet or the Zone diet, and none of them worked. Well, have you tried the Chinese diet or the Israeli diet? You might want to. Fitness expert Harley Pasternak is the author of The 5 Factor World Diet. During his travels, he’s picked up some interesting facts about weight control around the world. He noticed that almost every place he visited, from China to Israel, had slimmer, healthier people. What virtually all those countries had in common were low-fat diets rich in fish, lean protein, vegetables, fruits and beans. They also practiced portion control. So here are some of the things Pasternak learned. We got this from Forbes.com.

• Let’s start with Japan. It tops Pasternak’s list of the healthiest countries in the world, with an obesity rate of just 1.5%. By comparison, America’s at a whopping 34% obesity rate. Aside from all the fish and vegetables they eat, the Japanese eat a lot of nutrient-rich buckwheat noodles, which means they’re getting tons of complex carbs, which take longer for the body to break down so they feel full longer.
• Like Japan, Singapore’s obesity rate is under 2%. While it's true that Singaporeans do eat white rice throughout the day, every portion of rice is served with vegetables and fish. Singaporeans barely eat any meat. If they crave sugar, they don't reach for a candy bar, instead they eat tropical fruits.
• China is another one of Pasternak’s healthiest countries, but opposed to the Chinese food we serve, they rarely fry foods. Instead they follow the three S’s - stir-fry, steam and stew!
• Finally, Sweden has an 11% obesity rate thanks in part to a diet rich in dark breads. Rye and pumpernickel breads are loaded with fiber.
• What can we learn from the Israeli diet? They incorporate spices, herbs and seeds, which all fall under the “eat most” category of the food pyramid.

If you want to know more about international eating, check our Pasternak’s book, The 5 Factor World Diet.