Do you know that Dutch people are the tallest in the world on average? And it wasn’t always this way. In the past 150 years, the average Dutch man has gained 8” in height. According to scientists, this change is too rapid for any one factor to explain, but it’s likely that food plays a roll. Interesting, right? Now do you want to eat like a Nederlander?

Well, I have good news - that won’t take too much effort! The Dutch policy seems to be - keep it simple. The popular saying “doe normaal” also applies to food.

If you stay at a hotel in The Netherlands, you might be treated to traditional Dutch breakfast. Don’t expect eggs or any hot food. In fact, breakfast looks more like an American lunch. You’ll likely be served fresh bread, cold cut meats, sliced cheese and an assortment of toppings for your bread. Plus, maybe some fruit on the side because this is a fancy hotel breakfast, after all. And guess what’s on the menu for lunch?

The same thing!

That’s because in The Netherlands, food is simple and bread is healthy.

Bread is Healthy

Bread is the healthy part of breakfast or lunch that parents ensure their kids are eating. The toppings like jam, cheese, hazelnut-chocolate spread (Nutella!), meats, honey, etc. these are all just extras to make the bread more palatable. My peers were taught by their mama’s: only one topping per slice! So, choose your topping, spread it on one slice and eat that healthy bread. Maybe fold that single slice in half to make an even more efficient bundle.

lunch is served at my friend Hanneke’s house

I’ve discovered that when I put multiple things on two pieces of bread (we’re talking mayo, mustard, cheese, meat) and then eat that all together, well then I’m looking rather indulgent actually. The adults understand, having been exposed to the wider world and all, but their kids most certainly do not! Even just your classic American peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I’ve yet to have a Dutch kid take me up on the offer. It’s totally exotic! Two toppings together? Why, Rachel? Doe normaal.

But you know, bread is healthy here. Many Dutch people buy bread daily from the bakery. It’s simple, fresh ingredients without any preservatives. Even bread off the grocery store shelf is going to have fewer ingredients in comparison with typical American bread, and it’s likely to be GMO-free. Bread plays the star roll here. An average Dutch family might go through multiple loafs of bread a day. One man could eat 6-8 slices of bread for breakfast and again for lunch. “Man cannot live on bread alone” was maybe a warning to the Dutch people? Just kidding.

Anyway, Elora is picking up on the message. Nowadays she asks specifically for “plain bread” as a snack sometimes. Then she proceeds to eat totally plain sandwich bread quite happily, without anything on it. Three slices sometimes! As a snack! Very interesting.

Kid Food is Simple

When your child goes to daycare or primary school, there are clear expectations when it comes to food. I remember receiving printed advice from her school about what to pack: fruit and bread.

Fruit = snack. Fruit is the name they give to the mid-morning snack time. Children are expected to bring a container with a sliced apple, banana, orange, etc. Vegetables are also allowed, but that’s about it. Certainly no cookies, chips or other remotely treat-like foods. They call it “fruit” you know, just to be clear.

And then there is “bread”. If school is getting out early and there won’t be a lunch period, parents are advised: “You don’t need to pack bread.” I find it telling that they don’t use the Dutch word for sandwich, but instead that for bread. The emphases is on simple and healthy.

In fact, Elora often brings a tortilla wrap for lunch, filled with cream cheese, ham and lettuce. She’s received mixed reactions from her peers regarding this unusual “bread.” I’m glad she’s comfortable being different, haha. I’ve received no negative feedback, so it seems tortillas area healthy too. ;)

Here’s something fun - cucumbers are a very popular snack in The Netherlands! When it comes to fresh vegetables, sure you see people eating baby carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, etc.; but it seems that cucumbers might be the overall winner. Brandon was quite amused the first time that one of his college friends pulled out a full-sized cucumber and simply ate it up, like a banana, as a snack. This is a normal occurrence.

In our house, small cucumbers have become a regular staple. The other day, Elora went downstairs for a snack and came back to the sewing room with a bowl of 6 snacking cucumbers! I didn’t say anything, but doubted she would eat them all. She sure did! And then she went back to the kitchen for a little something extra.

Fried Food is Big

Ok, but not all Dutch snacks are so healthy. In fact, the Dutch have a strong cultural affinity for deep fried snacks. French fries are extremely popular, to the point that they are almost always available within walking distance. Most shocking to me - they are viewed as a meal alternative! So, just like you might indulge by ordering pizza for dinner in the states, you could order a gigantic bucket of fries for dinner in The Netherlands.

Family size bucket of fries from local cafe

Local snack cafes are a staple in Dutch neighborhoods. These are mom and pop operations that offer a variety of fried foods, most of which an American wouldn’t recognize. There are lots of meats that are breaded and fried, plus softer gravy-like substances that are also fried. I’ve stuck mostly to the fries with one exception - the fried fish. It’s amazing here!

Dessert is Not All That

If fried food is your thing, The Netherlands might hold some culinary delights, but if you are more of a sweets person, prepare to be disappointed. I’m sorry to sound so harsh! You know I LOVE The Netherlands, but don’t move here for the dessert, ok?

In my humble opinion, the Dutch don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Many items that appear to be treats at the bakery aren’t that sweet after all. So, it’s not a cinnamon roll for example, it’s cinnamon bread - that kind of thing. People serve store bought “cookies” that taste more like graham crackers to me. The most popular desserts are apple cake or fruit pies that are super heavy on the fruit and whipped cream. Me, I’m a chocolate girl, so this has been hard.

Elora (2) enjoying one of the more elaborate Dutch bakery cakes

Dutch houses reflect this lack of interest in baking. You’ll find small ovens in most homes and a lackluster assortment of baking supplies at the grocery store. I order my chocolate chips by mail, because I love me some chocolate chip cookies. I’ll never forget when I brought a plate of perfect, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies to a neighborhood party, but they were barely touched. People didn’t now what they were and they weren’t that curious (even the kids!). That’s right, imagine a world where even kids aren’t into sweets. Elora’s little friends enjoy making banana chocolate chip bread with us or American sugar cookies, for example, but they don’t eat it because it’s too sweet. Can you imagine?

Ok, so in all honesty “boring dessert” might be the Dutch secret to health and height, right? If it is, I’m doomed. Also, it seems I’m being a bad influence. After I brought chocolate chip cookies to our book club sleepover, my friends went in together on a 10 kilo bag of chocolate chips! They got to work right away experimenting with the possibilities (see above). Now they’re putting them in everything, even lunch food?!?! Oops.

Elora is five years old, in a mixed class of 4-6 year-olds. She’s recently become aware that she’s a bit short in comparison to the other kids. Naturally, I’ve told her that eating healthy food helps you grow, and she’s taken that message to heart. She’s hoping that if she eats a lot, she’ll grow big like her friends. (Liam says that it might be in the wrong direction, wink) We’ve also told her about family genetics, but that part doesn’t seem to stick.

The other night Elora pondered, “Maybe my body doesn’t know that I want to grow taller?” Ah, yes, I feel you, sweetie. My body never got that message either. But you never know, maybe growing up in this land of giants, Elora has a slightly better chance!