Eating in a foreign country

I posted an earlier thread, and, in order to improve my circumstances while I'm teaching abroad, does anyone have any healthy eating advice for living in Europe, or, more specifically, the Netherlands.

It's quite amusing when I go to the grocery store bc I can't read the Dutch labels...I just guess. Can you offer some good snack suggestions, etc?

Mon. Jan 30, 4:37pm

I drink a lot of fruit nectar and eat mostly cheese, smoked fish and fresh bread while travelling in Northern Europe. My husband has been known to live on tinned oysters and sardines.

Monday, January 30, 2006, 4:47 PM

Make Friends with the Locals!

This is your best bet for figuring out how to modify your diet. Many people in foreign countries, whether in Asia or Europe have great diets! A lot of variety and everything in moderation, plus having lived in Europe I learned they walk a lot!

Monday, January 30, 2006, 7:03 PM

My first suggestion would be to pick up a translation dictionary, especially since you'll be there for a while. It would be nice to be able to talk a bit with the natives. And they can always give you ideas not to mention you might make some friends.

Monday, January 30, 2006, 9:22 PM

You'll definitely will have to get used to looking at nutrition labels that use metric units, and probably also get used to(slightly) smaller portion sizes. But consider yourself lucky that you're still in a Western country where there will probably be plenty of dieting resources, whether it is diet food, health food, programs, etc. In developing countries, even just labeling products with nutrition facts is really scarce, and you'd look really out of place openly exercising in public (like going for a jog - many people in developing countries think only crazy Americans do this). But then again, people in developing countries are a lot thinner than people in developed countries, though that is often due to unequal food distribution, etc.

Anyway I am babbling - I don't know much about the Netherlands but you can probably easily look up the translations for words like "fat", "calories", "nuts", "allergies", etc. I would probably start there. Good Luck!

Monday, January 30, 2006, 10:51 PM

I'm in the Netherlands, too. As for snacks, I eat a lot of fruit. There are also rice cakes in the stores, which are good. Cut up fresh veggies... is there a open market in Utrecht? They're a good place to find cheap fruits and veggies.

Tuesday, January 31, 2006, 3:10 AM

Go if you can to the market - most areas have an open market of fresh produce and goods at least once a week. These are lots of fun and you can see what you are getting. I lived in Europe for a year as a student in 1982, in Salzburg, Austria, and shopping was great fun with all of the different packages and new foods. Ask people around you since they are all so fluent in English, "what is this?" Sounds like you have lots of great ideas to keep get out there and keep busy, so have a great time! You should learn a little Dutch too, at least please and thank you as that can take you a long way.

Tuesday, January 31, 2006, 6:17 AM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge