Loading

School Lunches in Sweden

8 comments

One of the biggest contrasts that I noticed about Sweden was the difference in diet. I found that people are much more conscious and even knowledgeable about the food they eat everyday. It is important that every meal fulfills all nutritional requirements. While it is without a doubt Swedes enjoy their candy, I feel they are much more concerned about having a balanced diet with the occasional sweet treat.

The same can be said for school lunches. Any other school I have been to has had a cafeteria full of fried or microwaved food, something you would not find in Sweden. I had to always bring a lunch because the school cafeteria was full of junk.

One of the best things about studying in Sweden is definitely the school lunches. I would buy my lunch everyday at school if I could afford it. The lunches are made fresh and there are always lots of options to choose from. The hot and fresh meals are a much welcome change from the fried, unhealthy options I had before.

There are usually many typical household Swedish food to choose from, even some delicious Thai options. The best way to try some real Swedish household food is to buy a few lunches in the school cafeteria. Homemade pannbiff (hamburger steak) with lingonberry jam or pyttipanna (potatoes, onions and ham, chopped and fried together) are just some of the options.

And of course, you cannot forget about Thursdays ärtsoppa (pea soup) and pannkakor (pancakes). This traditional yellow pea soup usually includes pork and is served with mustard, hard bread and salad. To follow this hearty soup, thin pancakes are usually served with jam and whipped cream. Take a trip to any cafeteria or restaurant on a Thursday and you will be sure to find this on the menu.


Thursdays ärtsoppa and pannkakor! Photo by: lunchigt.se (CC BY-SA 2.0)

These healthy hot lunches are even served free in primary and elementary schools. The nutritious meals cover all food groups and contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle. In addition, much research shows that children who eat healthy balanced meals also improve their behavior and focus in the afternoon. This can also have a great impact on a future healthy lifestyle.

You will never find a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pizza or some frozen unknown concoction in a Swedish school. And, unlike most of the meals served in my old schools for lunch, you can surely pronounce all the ingredients. Instead what you get is freshly cooked, healthy, hot and delicious meals.

Kristin Follis — Student

September 23, 2011

  • Monica-USA

    Wow wish my college had that kind of food when I went!!

    • Kristin Follis

      Exactly! It is much better than what I had at university in Canada!

  • Swedishobserver

    I’ve lived in Sweden for a year. Well, I’ve heard, too, that Swedes care more about their food, but the truth is not quite this.

    First of all, the candy thing is one of the most appalling aspects of Sweden. In the US, you only find that kind of smelly, sticky, jelly-like, stretches of colored rubber-like stuff, in movie theaters. Not in every supermarket and corner store.
    Second, the choice of food, in my experience from Uppsala University, is one of the most limited I’ve seen in the world. To eat hot food may be a good choice, but you have to wait half an hour in line. So, forget that. To eat at the cafeteria means eating a sandwich in a horrible kind of soft bread with a slice of cheece and/or ham. And then you pay something like 7 dollars for this! If you want a drink, add 3-4 dollars and the choices are coke, fanta or “vitamin drink”, also a misleading cocal-cola product: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/cocacolas-vitamin-drink-ad-misleading-1798719.html
    Other than that, there is candy, lots of it, huge quantities, and chewing gum. The amount of chewing gum available is enormous. Add to that the fact that the cafeteria is open only for 2-3 hours (and there is nothing to eat after that), and you’ll see that you’d better have a slice of pizza any time.

    Come on guys, don’t give me that nonsense. Sweden is full of second-rate restaurants, filthy cafes (many of them never clean their tables or toilets), and all that come at a high price tag.

    So, Monica-USA, don’t believe what they tell you about Sweden. Take it from someone who’s had first-hand experience, but also likes to be honest about things.

    • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

      Aww, man, licorice is one thing, but I’ve never met someone who didn’t like the candy! I’ll give you a few options for some drinks, too. Hope your experience gets better!! 

      6 non-alcoholic drinks you have to try: http://blogs.sweden.se/expat/2011/09/02/sipping-your-way-through-sweden-6-non-alcoholic-drinks-you-have-to-try/
      Some money-saving tips: http://blogs.sweden.se/expat/2011/08/26/top-5-money-saving-tips-for-traveling-in-sweden/
      Go for the mushrooms, the kantareller are delicious: http://blogs.sweden.se/expat/2011/09/15/mean-mr-mushroom/ 
      Candy: http://blogs.sweden.se/expat/2011/05/12/the-highs-and-the-lows-of-the-sweet-life-part-1-the-swedish-candy-craze/
      Licorice (ick): http://blogs.sweden.se/expat/2011/05/13/the-highs-and-the-lows-of-the-sweet-life-part-ii-the-salt-licorice-menace/

    • Kristin Follis

      From my experience most of the cafeterias and restaurants are a huge step up from anywhere else I have studied. With no good restaurants on campus you were forced to eat in the cafeteria, which was full of fried and processed foods, lacking any sort of nutrition. Even the lettuce for salads was processed and packaged. In Sweden, you have the option to have home-made lunches that cover all food groups and are freshly made. While it’s true that you have to wait in line, sometimes for half an hour, for me it is still worth it. It may be expensive for a students budget, that I don’t argue. I even said that if I could afford it I would pay to eat at school everyday. I still prefer one of these meals over buying a sandwich or piece of pizza any day!

  • http://www.squidoo.com/online-nutrition-education Glenn

    Same is the case in the States, the schools are not bothered at all about the nutritional intake and value of their students. Seems like its a spreading phenomena.

  • http://www.healthshop101.com/blog/young-living-balance-complete/ Balance Complete Nutrition

    Really very nice blog and i really appreciate the article and the things mentioned are really very helpful.Balance complete is really th best health supplement that one can have for having the necessary health vitamins and nutrients.

  • Derp

    derp