If you are like me when you think of Ireland you think the land of meat and potatoes, specifically potatoes, which ultimately amounts to carbs on carbs. I expected this trip to be one of overindulging followed by a serious need to juice cleanse for 7 days upon return (jk, as if I would juice cleanse). Don't get me wrong, I for sure overindulged, but there were also TONS of new (and old) healthy eating tricks the Irish practice that were so good I can't help but share.
- Morning Cereal and My New Favorite Product: I have not been a cereal eater for years. For the longest time I would eat anything else for breakfast as long as it wasn't cereal. That was until I was shown how to do it right. It wasn't uncommon in Ireland for there to be cereal bars at hotel breakfast buffets... and I don't mean like granola bars... I mean tables of ingredients to create your own cereal creations (YUM!) After staying with Irish friends for a few days it was quickly learned that when you make cereal in the morning you top it with honey, nuts, seeds, powders, honestly anything to make it a more sustainable breakfast option. I also learned to base your cereal with one my new favorite products: Wheetabix! I've never seen this product before coming to Ireland. All it is is a bar of wheat to use as a cereal foundation. An extremely healthy base. On top of this you add your cereal of choice, and finish it off with all the additions. Serious. Game. Changer. This way of doing breakfast satisfied me for hours and transformed me back into a cereal person. My mornings back in the States are on a whole new caliber. Best news out of all is I FOUND THEM in no other place other than my favorite... Trader Joe's. So if you want to check them out head over there, say I sent you. I highly suggest at least trying it out for a little no-frills extra nutrition. If going grocery shopping isn't your thing (lol whose is it?) I'll link them along with my other Irish health food suggestions below!
- TEA: I'm honestly surprised I've managed to cut my tea intake back to 3 cups a day since I was drinking at least 6-7 everyday while in Ireland. Similar to England, this country loves their tea, and it's offered to you everywhere by everyone during or after literally every meal. Majority of the time it is black loose leaf tea which has amazing health benefits. Since black tea contains high amounts of polyphenols and is renowned for it's digestive health properties and calming benefits, being encouraged to drink more of it here was a health hack I was happy to take back with me to the States.
- Farm to Table: Besides all the food here, including take out, being unbelievably fresh the next best thing were the choices on farm to table dining. If you've been to the Emerald Isle, you'll know how easy this concept is from the abundance of farms in every area of the country. Some restaurants even list on the menu from what farm the ingredients used came from that day.
- Stress Free Dining: If you've ever been to a popular restaurant in NYC you may have noticed a sign somewhere in the restaurant (or even more obvious... on the menu...) stating they have the right to give up your table after 2 hours (or some time frame along those lines) essentially saying you better eat and keep it moving. Checks will be handed to you 10 minutes post-coffee and you have 30 seconds to hand back a credit card followed by 1.3 minutes to calculate tip, collect your belongings, and get the hell out. Of course, this isn't always the case but things are for sure rushed. Meanwhile across the pond meals can go on for as long as you so want them too and for most places when you're done, you get up and pay at the bar, AKA when you're done you let them know but take your time.
- Small Portions: the one trick all Europeans (and most city dwellers) practice is one that needs to be more mainstream. Everywhere I've traveled to/ lived in Europe have SMALLER kitchens (which sounds like it would be a negative) but because of such, running to the grocery store means buying only what you intend on using. This results in making frequent trips to the store which, in most circumstances, results in walking more. An all around positive.
Now some of you who live in a city or in an area that takes pride in the above mentioned may think I'm crazyyy for thinking these are things I don't experience on the daily but these are the major health differences I noticed when traveling through this beautiful little country.
I hope you find these little tips and lifestyle changes as helpful as I did! Be sure to shop my favorites below:
