Flashback Key to longevity, according to the third oldest Icelander: no health foods, vegetables or fruit

Iceland Magazine
Tue, 24 May 2016 00:01 UTC

© Photo/GVA

Fish and Icelandic rye bread The key to longevity is to stay clear of all modern healthfoods and stick to a strict diet of traditional Icelandic dishes of bread, meat or fish and potatoes, according to the third oldest person in Iceland.

Various different miracle diets have been promoted as the key to a long and healthy life, but none of these hold any appeal to one of Iceland's oldest persons. Guðrún Straumfjörð, who celebrates her 105th birthday today, claims that the key to longevity is to stay clear of all health foods and shun fruits and vegetables. Guðrún is the third oldest Icelander alive.

Guðrún told the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that she does her best to never eat fruits or vegetables. She admits that "once in a while" she might eat "very small portions" of cauliflower and cabbage. Bananas are the only fruits this centenarian is willing to taste. She also stays clear of food supplements and vitamin, as well as cod-liver oil.

Guðrún told Morgunblaðið that she refuses to touch any "modern health foods", sticking instead to traditional Icelandic home-cooked meals. Her favourite dish is Icelandic bread soup made with rúgbrauð and topped with whipped cream, as well as regular saltfish.

Comment: Pay attention to the wisdom of your elders!

See also:

• World's oldest woman had an 'awful' diet - and lived to be 122
• The oldest people on Earth are all smokers!
• Cigarettes, a glass of wine, and a good mood: Norway's oldest man, 107, shares his secrets for long life
• Italian island of Sardinia home to some of the oldest people in the world, what's their secret?
• Still smokin'! Possible world's oldest man found in Brazil, age 126
• Is this the world's oldest man? Bolivian herder's records show he was born in 1890