Eating Healthy in the UK

One of the things Brian and I have loved most about living here in the UK is how much easier it is to eat well compared to being at home in the States.  Firstly, Bury St. Edmunds doesn't have any drive-thrus, which means even if we are craving a Big Mac, we have to walk our butts into town to get it which helps off-set the caloric intake.  Secondly, our local pubs use fresh, local ingredients to make their meals.  It's so great to be able to walk into a pub and check out the specials board that changes all the time.  Most of the pubs also have seasonal menus that rotate depending on what is in season.  Combine that with the fact that portion sizes here are much smaller and more manageable, and you have a great recipe! 

Fresh butternut squash and asparagus with goat's cheese

Even when grocery shopping to eat at home, it's much easier to make healthier choices here.  We buy a lot more fresh produce than we ever have; in fact, 9 times out of 10 we skip the frozen section altogether.  And the UK has a great thing in the grocery stores called Traffic Light Labeling that helps you quickly glance at a product and know the nutritional value (or lack thereof) on 4 categories: Fat, Saturates, Sugars, and Salt. 

Rather than trying to figure out a bunch of numbers and what they mean, this system lets you easily look at something and decide whether it's something you want to buy.  Obviously if you see all Red, you should put down the product and move away as quickly as possible!  =)  I feel like this has definitely helped us become more aware and conscious of the foods we buy.  I sincerely hope this concept makes its way throughout the US soon - especially for busy working people who don't have a ton of time to grocery shop, I think it could be really helpful in choosing foods to buy.