Vegans, Vegetarians and Organic Food
Posted on 27. Sep, 2009 by Transparent Language in Culture
Is it easy to be a vegetarian in Sweden? While I admit, I am a dedicated dead flesh eater, I think that when it comes to vegetarianism, Sweden is a very accommodating country. At least that’s been my experience when hosting and catering for vegetarian friends.
Almost every restaurant, and even the tiniest sandwich shop I’ve been to clearly mark on their menus all the items suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Some places are more detailed than others, but it seems more or less standard these days to distinguish on menus between “vegetarian” (might include milk, and/or eggs) and “vegan” (no animal products whatsoever) options.
And is vegetarianism (and veganism) widespread in Sweden? Again, I’d have to say “yes”. The popularity of vegetarianism, and even more so – veganism is most prominent in college towns and on university campuses. And that seems to surprise many foreign visitors, because apparently the image of meat-loving Vikings living in a cold, barren country is what comes to people’s minds when they put “Sweden” and “food” in the same sentence.
But what’s been coming to my mind lately is “vegan”. Honestly, either I never paid attention, or I used to hang out with the wrong (steak-loving) crowd, but I’ve never met as many vegans in other countries, as in Sweden. And obviously, all these vegans must eat something, right? So if there are that many of them, veganism can’t be that hard to follow, even in the far north, right?
But as one friendly vegan told me, while it’s not exactly a hardship to be a vegan in Sweden, it’s much easier to be a simple vegetarian.
And even easier to be a person who eats everything, as long as it’s organic (ekologisk). And this, ladies and gentlemen is one of the things that I really admire about Sweden. This country takes its commitment to organic food very seriously. All organic products are labeled with a “KRAV” mark and the standards for assigning this mark are very high.
So basically, no matter what and how you eat, you will not go hungry in Sweden.
Sweden’s veggie-friendliness is a matter of perspective and expectations, methinks. Since we live in the ‘vegetarian capital of Europe’ according to some sources , my veggie partner finds it hard to find much that he wants to eat in Sweden. (Not as hard as in Copenhagen, though. We really struggled to find a fine restaurant with anything veggie on the menu.)
I, on the other hand, look forward to some meatballs and reindeer! (But no herring, please.)
I suddenly have an intense craving for a big slab of falukorv along with some blodpudding.
It has been a long time coming though and Sweden has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. When my vegetarian sis was here at the end of the 90s she really struggled to find products and even more so to go out and eat. This is a land steeped in traditions of meat, fish and potatoes, as well as dairy products.
I do agree with you wholeheartedly though when it comes to organic food – Sweden is doing really, really well in that department. Not only is there plenty to choose from but the organic products often cope being compared on a price basis too.
@David from Oregon – Amen!
Anna;
You have been too busy to continue with the blogs or by some reson you have quit? Whatever you do thank you for the numerous articles. Will miss your jumor though.
Take care!
I really support the idea of being vegetarian, but is not so easy whne everybody around eats meat
The organic food also is something very important for the people’s health, no doubt. Thank you for this article.
I think it’s like anywhere, you just have to know where to look:
Lao Wai
Luntmakargatan 74, Stockholm
http://www.laowai.se
Chutney
Katarina Bangata 19, Stockholm
http://www.chutney.se
Blå Lotus
Katarina Bangata 21, Stockholm
Hermans
Fjällgatan 23, Stockholm
http://www.hermans.gastrogate.com
Örtagården
Nybrogatan 31, Stockholm
http://www.ortagarden.gastrogate.com
And there are a bunch more here: http://www.happycow.net/europe/sweden/stockholm/
my girlfriend really likes our vengetables organic food delivered to our house