With just three required ingredients -- a tortilla, cheese and a little oil -- a quesadilla makes for a simple, inexpensive meal. It’s not necessarily a healthy option, however, given that it's loaded with cheese.

A bowl of rich, spicy curry makes for a satisfying meal, but if you're trying to lose weight, it might not fit into your diet plan. On the one hand, curry is often chock-full of vegetables, which help fill you up so you're less prone to snacking before your next meal.

The traditional Caribbean diet fulfills many of the balanced nutrition guidelines recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It's rich in seafood, a variety of fruits and vegetables and lean protein while being low in refined grains, sugar and salt.

The Japanese enjoy one of the longest life spans in the world -- in part because a traditional diet is comprised of fresh, unprocessed foods. In addition to eating healthfully, the Japanese also have different attitudes toward food than many Americans. In Okinawa, for instance, residents practice "hara hachi bu"

Although largely unheard of in China, General Tso's chicken has become known as a classic Hunanese dish, appearing as a staple menu item in Chinese restaurants throughout the United States. The chicken is battered, fried, and coated in a spicy sweet sauce.