Fish and other seafood are an important part of Swedish cuisine. Farmed salmon from Norway has become increasingly popular. Pickled, sweetened herring, inlagd sill, is a traditional Swedish appetizer. Shrimp and lobster are specialties of the Skagerrak coast.
Norway is the world's largest exporter of fish and seafood in terms of value after China. The country is however not only an impressive exporter but is also an avid consumer of fish and seafood products.
Köttbullar (Meatballs)
Swedish meatballs are possibly the country's most iconic dish, and you'll find them everywhere—beyond Sweden, too. If there's one Scandinavian food that will give you a real taste of the region, this is it.
Fish makes up much of Norwegian cuisine. This probably comes as no surprise—after all, you're never far from the ocean in the Land of the Midnight Sun!
Asia is the primary consumer of fish, as it consumes 72% of the total global fish production. Maldives, located in South Asia, is the country with the highest fish consumption per capita as of 2020.
Salmon is also a popular dinner in Norway, and is prepared in many ways, from grilling and baking to steaming. For a more modern spin, try it with avocado and a light salad.
A traditional lunch can take hours, and aquavit is enjoyed at regular intervals, of course. Popular dishes for a smörgåsbord include bowls of pickled herring served with rye and crispbread, beetroot and apple salad, meatballs, pâtés, and different types of cured and smoked salmon.
The Scandi diet is big on reducing starchy carbs and replacing those calories with heaping servings of healthy proteins, such as locally-sourced, cold-water fish, and organic vegetables. Just as importantly, Scandinavians believe it's not just what you eat that counts, it's how you prepare it that matters too.
The Scandi diet is big on reducing starchy carbs and replacing those calories with heaping servings of healthy proteins, such as locally-sourced, cold-water fish, and organic vegetables. Just as importantly, Scandinavians believe it's not just what you eat that counts, it's how you prepare it that matters too.
Portugal remains the absolute champion in terms of per capita consumption. In 2017, the Portuguese ate 56.8 kg of fish and seafood per capita, which is more than twice the EU level. After Portugal, Spain and Malta are the countries in which most fish and seafood is eaten.
Breakfast (frokost)
The basic Norwegian breakfast consists of bread, brown cheese, and milk. Traditionally this meal included a porridge such as grøt (flour, rice or groats boiled with milk) or rømmegrøt (with sour cream instead).
Kalles Kaviar (Fish Spread)
This popular brand of smörgåskaviar is a favorite of locals for breakfast in Sweden. The name may be misleading because there is actually no caviar in this fishy spread. It is roe-based spread with oil and spices. Kalles Kaviar is a favorite national brand of this squeezable fishy dish.
Because most Nordic countries have very long coastlines, fishing and seafood has become an important part of the culture here. One of the most popular fish, eaten across the region, is herring, which can be pickled, smoked or fried. Cured or smoked salmon, smoked mackerel and cod are also popular choices.
Scandinavians eat simple, hearty meals. They generally eat three meals a day, plus a coffee break. Breakfast is light and usually includes bread or oatmeal porridge, fruit, eggs, cheese, herring, or potatoes. Fruit soup is a popular breakfast item in the winter and is topped with cream and served with bread and cheese.
Sweden: One of the happiest countries in the world
A strong economy, good education, and excellent healthcare are very important factors in why Sweden performs so well in the happiness index (as each of the Scandinavian countries also tends to do).
Along with a healthy diet, Scandinavians also emphasize portion control. They have smaller meals and eat often, instead of the regular big meals. Research has found that smaller meals are more beneficial for health, as they lower cholesterol levels and maintain blood sugar levels.
This is because dinner in Norway, and other Nordic countries, is served between 4pm and 5pm. Several factors contribute to this. The first is that people finish work earlier, so they head home and prepare dinner so they can have the rest of the evening to themselves.
Nordic vegetables are cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, roots and peas. Fish varieties include salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring and dried salty cod. Fruits do not grow abundantly in the region; therefore, berries tend to be the primary source of fruit.
Plant-based, seasonal foods with a healthy dose of fish and seafood and a limit on processed foods are the key components of a Nordic diet. While it's not a diet universally enjoyed across the Nordic region, the Nordic diet does form the basis of many people's approach to eating.
Swedes don't have any pastries for the breakfast. Just yogurt, muesli, some berries and fruits on top. Sometimes they do add some jam to a cereal bowl though. If there is the IKEA in your town, or a nearby town, you can easily replicate this Swedish breakfast.
Newspaper Fædrelandsvennen in Kristiansand reports that Norwegians are only eating a third of the potatoes they ate 50 years ago. In 1958, Norwegians ate an average 75 kilos (165 pounds) of potatoes each. Last year, the amount was down to about 25 kilos, including potato chips and french fries.