Canadian woman who lives in Sweden reveals fascinating reason why the country is so much healthier than North America – from layout of grocery stores to the unique ‘lunch culture’

A Canadian woman now living in Sweden has revealed why the country is so much healthier than North America – and what tips she’s learned to change her lifestyle.

Keltie O’Connor uploaded an excerpt to YouTube to unravel her key observations about what sets the two countries apart.

She addressed a whole host of issues that she thinks set Sweden apart as a healthier country, including supermarkets, lunch culture and liquor store hours.

But the former college basketball player turned social media personality claimed it all came down to “identity” in the end.

Keltie began by revealing that she had “lived between Canada and Sweden for the past four years” before she began to delve into the healthy habits she’d noticed.

First, she went to the supermarkets and explained, “Classic American supermarket, you walk in and what’s the first thing waiting for you?” Hot dogs, eggnog, the seasonal novelties.

“Yeah, there’s veggies on the side you see and it looks nice, but you don’t go there, you go right down the aisle to the packaged goods.”

“But in a classic Swedish supermarket, you walk in and you’re forced to follow some kind of pattern, and what’s the first thing you have to go through? Fresh fruit and vegetables.’

She then also gave the example that Swedish stores also put their healthiest breads – including whole wheat, high protein and high fiber – at eye level instead of generic white bread.

Keltie then went on to discuss the “lunch culture,” revealing, “We love lunch in North America, too, but has anyone ever noticed that you don’t feel so satisfied after…?

‘Well, Swedes, they take their time enjoying it. There is a real break in the middle of the day. Everyone leaves the office and actually sits down and has lunch.

“And I find that in Sweden I take the time to actually take a break for lunch and eat slowly and enjoy conversation, I go out feeling satisfied,” which she says makes her less likely to snack between meals, she added.

Keltie goes on to state that while diet products exist in Sweden, it is “substantially different than in the US.”

“When I go to the US or Canada, we have whole diet food aisles and they’re sad: It’s Weight Watchers, it’s Atkins, it’s low calories, no sugar, no fat, no fun,” she explained.

She said that instead of low-calorie products that promise to satisfy hunger, people in Sweden were instead redirected to more “sports” products.

“There are a lot of things that encourage a healthy lifestyle or activity — something you would have in the middle of a sports game, things that can keep you going during your activity, and not just trying to eat as few calories as possible,” said Keltie .

She then examines another of her observations, the cost of food, explaining: ‘I’ve always been told that Scandinavia is expensive and yes the prices of taxes and gas are extreme, but the cost of basic nutrient rich food are staggeringly cheaper than Canada.’

In addition, government liquor stores in Sweden are the only place to buy alcohol and the outlets have strict opening hours: open Monday to Friday from 10am to 7pm, Saturday from 10am to 3pm and closed on Sunday.

Keltie claims that because alcohol is not available in supermarkets and because of limited hours in designated outlets, shoppers are “less likely to grab a six-pack or a bottle of wine for fun.”

“You have to do your very best and make plans to pick it up,” she added.

One of the other factors that makes Sweden healthier than North America, according to Keltie, is sweets.

Dentists in the Scandinavian country had previously campaigned for parents to allow their children to eat sweets only on Saturdays to improve oral hygiene.

The practice took off and quickly became something of a tradition, meaning less ‘silly’ consumption took place.

Keltie said: ‘I think this naturally limits the amount of sugar consumed during the week. I realize that many people will see that as “limiting” – and I understand that because there is a lot of balance in the nutrition, wellness and fitness industries in North America…

“But for Sweden it’s less of a ‘limit yourself all week’ and more of an ‘oh something to look forward to at the weekend.’

Other observations that Keltie identified in Sweden were the “lack of regular soft drinks” – where a native is much more likely to drink carbonated water – and their traditions around drinking coffee, which allows them to process and enjoy it.

Continuing her list, the social media star said another healthy Swedish habit was to “start them young.”

She explained, “All these things are taught from childhood, not just the parents, but the whole community. It’s not just about the way you eat, it’s about the joy of an active lifestyle.’

Similarly, Keltie revealed that walking and cycling were both popular — and accessible — pastimes in Sweden before she turned her attention to portion sizes.

“In North America nobody pays attention to a venti, it’s just more practical, you get more,” but she said ordering a large in Sweden would mean she’d be “considered gluttonous.”

In follow-up, she said checkout counters in Sweden were filled with mints and gum instead of the sweet treats displayed in the same area in North American stores.

Near the end of her list, Keltie said, “My penultimate point: sports of all ages… They love their sports and activities – and it simply starts at a young age and continues into old age.”

“It’s that way they socialize and I think it just becomes part of them and every age is involved in sports. It’s just a way of life.’

She rounds out her list with one last point about identity, concluding, “It’s lame, but if I’ve learned anything, if you want to make a sustainable lifestyle choice, the easiest way is to just make it part of your identity.

“Once it becomes part of your identity, you would never change it; it’s who makes you who you are and that’s something about Sweden.

“They identify as healthy minimalists and it’s a core belief to fit into a standard. It comes down to the identity of a Swede living a healthy life.’