Now that you are all settled and have gotten into a routine, it’s been easy keeping up with your healthy dietary habits hasn’t it? NO? It’s ok, don’t worry, we all have set backs! In this blog post, I’d like to discuss a little bit about grocery shopping while studying abroad.
While eating organic foods and whole foods is what we are all trying to aim at, these foods can be costly. If you have easy access to organic foods or fresh foods and can purchase your produce in a local market, not a chain grocery store, do it! You will notice the difference in taste in regards to freshness, sweetness and pure wholesomeness, from these kinds of foods.
Here in Limerick, Ireland we have what is called the ‘Milk Market.’ It is in the city center surrounded by different businesses. Once you go inside this market you have plenty of stands ranging from fruit and veggie vendors, local coffee vendors, handmade soap vendors, or my favorite stand is the homemade all natural peanut butter stand! As a semi-vegetarian (non-red meat eater), it has been somewhat difficult adjusting to what I normally eat. Coming from a Hispanic background, I am used to my chicken or veggies having an extra spice or heat to it, and a lot of foods are not as seasoned as I typically like. Luckily, I did find a healthy stand where they sell different salads with a kick. I tried a quinoa salad with mango, edamame and corn, and a lentil salad with carrots and I believe a hint of paprika. It was quite tasty!
Everyone should definitely go to a local market, go support your local farmers, eat fresh and try new foods! You won’t regret it. You will definitely learn a lot about the culture and what your country produces.
This post was contributed by Kathleen Castrejon, who is spending a semester studying abroad with AIFS in Limerick, Ireland.
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