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whole foods” width=”1200″ height=”675″/>“Anyone can include more whole foods, especially fiber-rich carbs, while limiting highly processed foods high in sugar, fat and sodium.” (iStock)
Modern Diets Take Inspiration From Viking Era Eating Habits
NEW YORK – August 29, 2025 – A growing interest in ancient diets has turned attention to the eating habits of the Vikings, revealing a surprisingly healthy lifestyle centered around whole foods and physical labor. While the image of Vikings frequently enough conjures scenes of raiding and pillaging, archaeological evidence and historical analysis suggest their diet played a crucial role in their strength and endurance.
The Viking Diet: A Foundation of Whole Foods
The traditional Viking diet, prevalent from approximately 793 AD to 1066 AD, wasn’t about elaborate feasts but rather a practical approach to sustenance based on available resources. Located primarily in Scandinavia – modern-day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark – Vikings consumed a diet heavily influenced by their habitat. Their primary food sources included fish, such as cod, herring, and salmon, readily available from the North and Baltic Seas. Meat consumption, while present, was less frequent, consisting of pork, mutton, and game like deer and elk.
Crucially, the Viking diet was rich in carbohydrates, but unlike modern processed carbs, these came