(My problem with) Norwegian food culture

On the bus between Gothenburg and Oslo, Sweden and Norway.

Two counties with the smallest differences that causes my biggest problem.

I’d like to think I’m pretty accepting, but two things bug me more than anything living in Norway:

The lack of a healthy food culture and the high prices. 


Combine the two and you have me hating every minute in the supermarket.

It’s such a shame because I love food and make eating well a major priority.

The reason why I’m raving about this is because just before boarding the bus I went into a Swedish supermarket to pick up some groceries, although knowing I couldn’t buy anything that needed to be kept cool since I’m on a three hours bus trip.

And I was reminded again.

Of all the fresh, organic produce taking up shelves after shelves, the range of flavours and variations, the mix and match-your-own-salads where multi-coloured quinoa, buckwheat, ripe mango, whole beans, fresh herbs and healthy toppings isn’t a novelty, but something completely natural, and a part of a growing awareness trend.

How even the outdoor venue of yesterday’s show offered vegetarian options like Halloumi burgers and soja chorizo. Not to mention how the best music festival in the World; Gothenburg’s Way Out West was the first festival in the world to be environmentally KRAV certified, offering NOTHING but vegetarian food to artists, staff and visitors for three days straight.

In Norway you’re lucky if you find one vegetarian option in a good restaurant. And it will be the most expensive salad leaves you’ve ever had.

I still believe Oslo is cool, but I find it hard to stay inspired, food wise.

There is hope in the forms of some markets in Grönland and little Pakistanian and Asian shops, but still, I’d choose to do my food shopping in Sweden, any time.