The Swedish word lagom – which means ‘just the right amount’ – is the ethos behind the Nordic diet. In other words, eating and enjoying food in moderation.
Doctors, dietitians, and even psychiatrists credit the Nordic way of eating as one of the healthiest in the world, and here’s why. The traditional way of eating in the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland) focuses on freshness, seasonal produce, and including all of the proper nutrients, such as omega-3s, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The concept of lagom teaches us to emphasise balance in our diets where health, flavour, nutrition, taste, and enjoyment all come together to create a sense of wellness within.
In Sweden, eating clean and focusing on wellness is not a trend; it’s a way of life.
And there are a host of products that can help Singaporeans to embrace the Nordic health and nutritional benefits quickly and conveniently. Here are a variety of ready-to-eat products made with clean ingredients free of sugars, additives, and preservatives. As healthy living takes centre stage this June during the Wellness Festival Singapore, a growing number of Singaporeans are looking to enhance their overall well-being and seeking balanced and healthful products made with sustainable ingredients. Here are our top recommendations from Sweden!
Grab-and-go nutrition for your baby
Parents in Singapore want only the best food for their babies. Fresh and homemade is great, and Alex & Phil’s products use this principle to create the most nutrient-dense and convenient baby food products on the market. With the added benefit of being clean and sustainable, it’s perfect for conscious, busy parents. The Kiwi and Quinoa Smoothie is a convenient, twist-top squeeze pouch of organic fruit including kiwi, bananas, and pear, with organic quinoa, which add up to a healthy and delicious baby meal rich in vitamin C, fibre, and potassium. Alex & Phil’s products are great-tasting and high in nutrition; this clean-label, organic baby food brand is also committed to environmental sustainability, offsetting all carbon emissions and using renewable, plant-based materials in packaging.
Sip on ‘superior’ water for deeper wellness
A key factor to achieving deeper wellness is to stay hydrated – particularly in humid Singapore. Here is a high-quality Sweden-made option to sip on. Sourced from a groundwater reservoir in a pristine natural untouched environment in northern Sweden, Åre Sparkling Water is a natural mineral water that has earned the distinction of being labelled ‘superior’ the best possible virginality classification for water in terms of exterior environmental influences. In fact, the Åre village is so well-preserved that it has been a popular travel destination for thousands of years for those who come to experience its serene environment and pure, clean water. A bit of extra serenity in buzzy Singapore is always welcome, and this superior water can help you channel the calmness of northern Sweden. Åre water comes from the crisp alpine landscape that acts as a unique natural filtration system, with water seeping through layers of rock and sand formed during the ice age, resulting in a premium, well-oxygenated water that is unrivalled in purity.
A milk-alternative founded on the goodness of oats
The demand for healthier alternatives to cow’s milk is currently at an all-time high in Singapore. Enter Oatly Organic Oat Drink, a great tasting alternative that lends itself well to any recipe or occasion where you might reach for dairy or soya-based milk. Plus, it has all the benefits of the superfood, oats. There is no added sugar; it is low in saturated fat and is packed with soluble oat fibre. Made from the purest oats, Oatly is high in protein, carbohydrates, fibre, and unsaturated fats, and is an excellent addition to cereal bowls, smoothies, tea, coffee, or even as a straight-up drink. We love its neutral flavour resulting from the combination of water, organic oats, and a pinch of sea salt. Additionally, it can be conveniently stored unopened without refrigeration.
Enjoy G & T with a conscience
Wellness and healthy balance can include enjoying the occasional celebratory drink, and nothing says festivity more than a bubbly cocktail with a champagne-like character. Gin Bubbles by Skånska Spritfabriken is a new and exciting way to experience the good ol’ Gin and Tonic. At 40% ABV, this wonderfully fresh and smooth beverage with a champagne-like fizz can be enjoyed on the rocks or with your favourite tonic. In moderation, gin can be incorporated into a wellness lifestyle as juniper berry, a super berry that is one of its core ingredients, contains a host of health benefits such as a lower risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases. Skånska Spritfabriken is a proudly Swedish fast-growing craft producer creating , products made from quality raw ingredients that are locally and sustainably grown on a Swedish farm.
A clean, organic tonic
Tonic water, originally used as a protectant against malaria, is now famously known for its key role in gin-based cocktails such as the classic gin & tonic. Ekobryggeriet‘s Nordic Tonic Elderflower is a high quality, clean option for favourite gin-based drink – both in flavour and in ingredients. Instead of using the more commonplace tonic ingredient quinine, Ekobryggeriet (EB) uses the natural aroma from quassia, which is another variety of a bitter wood plant. EB’s Nordic Tonic contains only natural aromas, carbonated water, organic sugar, and citric acid. Their commitment is to use sustainable and organic methods and ingredients to create premium products big on flavour. Elderflower is a classic Swedish summer flavour and adds a pleasant floral dimension to the bitter tonic with its subtle tones of pear and lychee. Balance your cocktails with the all-round goodness of EB’s Nordic Tonics.
Up your hydration with a natural vitamin-infused kick
Gym fans, athletes, outdoor exercisers, and anyone who wants to beat the heat in sunny Singapore can enjoy a delicious reprieve from those sweltering and humid tropical days with Swedish vitamin-infused water. Aqua Nobel’s Vitamin Infused Water* is sustainably sourced from a natural spring located 105m below the scenic plains of southern Sweden, this water has been filtering through layers of rock for almost a century, collecting valuable minerals and raising its pH value to a naturally alkaline 8.2. The lemon ginger variety will have you hooked on its subtle and refreshing flavour, whether you’re replenishing your fluids after exercise or simply keeping up with your daily intake.
*Awaiting listing for sales on RedMart, Singapore
Give your meals a nutrient-packed flavour boost
Eating clean does not mean a compromise on flavour and spice. Asian food is filled withbold flavours and fiery dishes so bland salads and clean foods are often not first choice.. Made in Sweden with locally-grown Swedish produce, & our friends’ Umami Power Push Allround Super-Spice* is a flavour-packed spice mix that elevates and adds rich flavours to a variety of dishes. It is supercharged with chaga, reishi, and rosehip and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Great when sprinkled over roasted vegetables, used in meat marinades, salad dressings, and broths and stews. The next time you are looking to sprinkle some umami flavour laced with luxe white truffle over anything you are eating, reach for this gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan super spice.
*Awaiting listing for sales on RedMart, Singapore
All of these products and more are available on the Try Swedish shop on RedMart in Singapore. Visit the shop to browse a wide range of Sweden-made, delicious, and healthy food and beverages aimed at consumers who seek organic and sustainable foods to incorporate into their wellness journey.