By: Tatum Clark
During my three-week stay in Barcelona, Spain, I was able to learn about Spanish culture, Architecture, Art, And lifestyle. The one thing however that stole my attention on this trip was the food. I am a bit of a foodie, I was really excited and open to trying new foods and meals that I may not get to experience at home. My previous notion was that Europe’s dietary structure was a lot healthier than here in America and I was correct. Spain is “ Considered among the healthiest countries in the world. Spain ranks on top when it comes to life expectancy and other related metrics. According to a study carried out in 2020, People born in European countries were expected to love an average of 82 years.” ( J Mendoza, Statista pg 1 ) America’s life expectancy relating to health which has a correlation to the foods provided in this country is about 75 years of age. ( This calculation is not taking into consideration race and lifestyle.) It’s no secret that America is pretty heavily influenced by fried foods and fast food companies. You honestly can’t go five-ten minutes without seeing a fast food company, McDonald’s being the #1 popular fast food restaurant in America or fried food being served as an option in the majority of restaurants.
Within my three weeks of living in Spain, I hardly had any fried foods or was surrounded by an overwhelming amount of fast food restaurants. The most consistent fried food I probably had was fried calamari which is fried octopus and crispy potatoes. Even when the calamari is fried or the chicken from Popeyes, vegan chicken croquettes, It is not deep fried and greasy. Barcelona fries things very lightly which in turn does not make you feel so heavy afterwards. This could be because Barcelona, Spain is not known for fried foods but for serving fresh, raw foods. There are a lot ( not all) G.M.O (genetically modified organisms) in plants and animals that have fallen into the genetic engineering techniques in American meat and produce systems. Even fruits and vegetables are not always thoroughly washed and clean leaving dirt and small insects inside. This has become such an issue that several documentaries like Super Size Me and more focus on the dangers of America’s food supply. However in Barcelona, You could taste the difference in the quality of food. Here’s a small list of some of the foods I got to eat and experience that display the raw and freshness that is common in foods In Barcelona;
– One of the first Tapas I got to eat which is the most common tapa you will find in any establishment is called a Pan Con Tomate. This is freshly toasted bread with fresh squeezed tomato on top with olive oil drizzled on top. This is a nice tapas that is easy to share, Delicious, Does not make your body feel sluggish, and easy to make. ( Tapas are the equivalent of appetizers in America but in Barcelona, It is common to order multiple tapas and a small meal after.)
– Lobster roll which is fresh chopped up lobster with a drizzle of oil on top of a toasted lightly buttered roll and a few pieces of plain potato chips on the side. This was absolutely delicious. Very filling and still left light.
– Açaí bowl is a fresh fruit blend bowl that is becoming a popular breakfast, lunch meal in different cities across the globe. On one of my free early mornings in Barcelona, I got the chance to try a açaí bowl from Juice Dudes which was filled with strawberries, apples, pineapples, walnuts and blended fruits of mango, berries and more. On the side there was a small moist carrot cake and coconut water. This breakfast motivated me to start eating healthier back home for breakfast.
– Raw salmon is a common fish that is served in many dishes. I’ve had a raw salmon sandwich with tomato and fresh mozzarella, raw salmon tacos, firecracker raw salmon sushi and more. This was my first time eating raw salmon and as you can see from the many times I’ve had it, I was not disappointed.
These are just a few of the foods I got to eat during my three week stay. “ In Barcelona, The mainstay diet is typically Mediterranean, With an abundance of Fish, Legumes, And vegetables, The latter often served simply boiled with a drizzle of olive oil.” (Frommers, pg 1.) The fried calamari and Potatoes are popular tapas that you get to start off your dinner. Tapas seem to be the most common to have around lunch time which is the main time for people in Spain to eat as opposed to America where Dinner is the star of the show. While studies have varied, Eating earlier than late evening can be healthy and reduce some weight gain/ health problems. Overall, My food experience in Spain was pleasant. I got to put my taste buds to the test and explore a plethora of different traditional, fun, and new meals. Some that I love and some that I might have to leave in Barcelona. All the while this experience has really opened up a conversation about eating healthy and how to do that with your meals.