Czech+eating+habits

Traditional Czech food is very tasteful and varied. Unfortunately, it does not correspond with a healthy life style very much because of its high calories content. Czech cuisine is not exactly a synonym for healthy cooking, but everybody will probably find some meals they'll love. It may be the potato soup, the traditional roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, the fruit filled dumplings, or the apple strudel. Other typical and a favourite meal for many Czech people is the combination of beef meat, dumplings and a cream sauce. All these delicasies are not helping the increasing rates of obesity in the country which is a serious problem. A good news is that Czech cooking and eating habits have been shifting towards a healthier lifestyle recently, but traditional Czech recipes are still extremely popular and those tend to be high in calories, fat and sugar. Sauces and condiments are also very popular.

A Czech meal often starts with a __**soup**__ - some popular Czech soups are: - potato soup - garlic soup - chicken noodle soup - beef soup with liver dumplings - sauerkraut soup - dill soup



__**The Mai**____**n Course**__ **-** it mostly consists of a //meat// and a //side dish//: The most popular //meats// are **chicken** and **pork**, followed by **beef**, usually served with some kind of **sauce**. **Fish** is not very common although trout or cod are sometimes served. Salmon and seafood are served only in better restaurants. The mackerel is a popular fish to grill over open fire in summer. Carp is traditionally served on Christmas Eve.

//Side Dishes// - the most common Czech side dishes are: - boiled potatoes - roasted potatoes - mashed potatoes - French fries - rice - bread dumplings or potato dumplings with sauce - bread or potato dumplings with sauerkraut - potato salad



__**Desserts:**__ Desserts come in many varieties and can be heavy and fatty because butter and whipped cream are often used. Some popular desserts are: - apple strudel - crepes filled with jam orfruit, such as strawberries or blueberries or with chocolate and with whipped cream on the top - honey cake called "Medovník" - fruit filled dumplings - ice cream sundae is very popular especially in summer



**__Beverages:__** As far as drinks go, a Czech meal is often accompanied by the national beverage, which is beer. If you're not in the mood for beer or if you are not old enough, you can have a mineral water, a variety of fruit juices, such as orange juice, apple juice, pear juice, or a soda water. Czechs also like to drink tea with sugar and lemon, and coffee with or without milk or cream.