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Why Are Dutch Children the Happiest in the World? Perhaps It’s the Hagelslag
Lazy Sundays are essential in our home. With most stores closed or only open in the afternoon, it’s the perfect time for family activities. While my partner, Mark, busies himself in the kitchen preparing a delightful breakfast, I settle on the couch, nursing our youngest, Leo, and planning a nature excursion for later. Our eldest, Sam, is happily engaged in building with his Duplo blocks.
Today, the bright autumn sunshine and fresh air have lifted our spirits. Mark is whipping up wentelteefjes, the Dutch take on French toast, served with goat cheese, strawberries, mango, and blueberries. Meanwhile, I’m researching local trails to search for fly agaric mushrooms—the iconic red ones with white spots that I once thought only existed in fairy tales. It turns out they grow abundantly here, known for their toxic and hallucinogenic properties. Our plan? To admire them from a safe distance.
“Hey, check this out!” Mark calls from the kitchen-dining area.
I glance over to see Sam in his high chair, beaming with joy. Our little one has taken breakfast into his own hands, with a slice of bread smothered in unsalted butter and topped with hagelslag—chocolate sprinkles.
It’s easy to see why Dutch children are often regarded as the happiest in the world. Who wouldn’t be delighted to start their day with chocolate for breakfast? I can envision the disapproving gasps from parenting blogs. Chocolate in the morning? It seems counterintuitive to start the day with a sugar rush. And what a mess he’s made! Butter is smeared everywhere, and chocolate sprinkles are scattered around.
Mark and I exchange amused glances. Should we scold him? Instead, we chuckle and chalk it up to another parenting misstep. Oblivious, Sam continues devouring his hagelslag sandwich, and Mark snaps a photo of his joyous expression.
So what’s the secret behind this seemingly indulgent breakfast? Is it really the hagelslag that brings happiness to Dutch kids? A BuzzFeed video showcasing American children trying various international breakfasts revealed that Dutch breakfast quickly won their hearts. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to chocolate? Yet, children in other nations also consume sugary foods, often in the form of cereals. I believe the real difference lies in the family breakfast tradition in the Netherlands.
According to a 2013 UNICEF report that identified Dutch kids as the happiest globally, a remarkable 85% of children aged 11, 13, and 15 enjoy breakfast daily. The routine of gathering around the table as a family before school is a hallmark of Dutch life. In many American and British households, breakfast is frequently skipped in the morning rush.
The Dutch recognize the significance of regular meals, starting with breakfast. Numerous studies highlight the advantages of eating breakfast daily, including reduced risk of unhealthy snacking, lower obesity rates, and improved concentration in school. The Dutch have mastered the art of breakfast, contributing to their overall happiness and health. The key takeaway is the value placed on shared meals, fostering connection and calmness for the family.
A balanced diet?
I was surprised to learn that chocolate sprinkles are a staple at breakfast across the Netherlands. Don’t the Dutch understand the importance of a balanced diet? While the Dutch are often viewed as having a reputation for dull, bland food, their approach is primarily practical: meals should be quick, affordable, and nourishing. The only notable difference between a typical Dutch breakfast and lunch is the time of day. Dinner, the sole hot meal, centers around a simple combination of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates.
Contrary to common perceptions, recent research indicates that the Dutch straightforward approach to food may be the ideal. A 2014 Oxfam study declared the Netherlands as having “the best food in the world,” evaluating criteria such as food availability, affordability, quality, and obesity rates. The UK ranked 10th, while the US fell to 21st due to high obesity and diabetes statistics.
The UNICEF report aligns with Oxfam’s findings, revealing that Dutch children have the lowest obesity rates among 29 surveyed industrialized nations, with only 8.36% of children aged 11, 13, and 15 classified as obese. In contrast, childhood obesity levels exceed 10% in all but three countries—Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland. This illustrates that the best place for nutrition is not in France, the Mediterranean, or Japan, but in the Netherlands. Despite the butter, bread, and hagelslag, the Dutch maintain a healthy, balanced diet that remains accessible to all.
As I watch our toddler relish his Dutch breakfast, swaying side to side and kicking his legs joyfully, it dawns on me what hagelslag represents. Taking a moment to simply observe him, I silence the anxious thoughts in my mind and realize that, beyond the chocolate’s sweetness, Leo’s pride in preparing and choosing his breakfast fosters his self-confidence. It truly is all about the hagelslag.
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In summary, the happiness of Dutch children can be attributed to more than just the delight of chocolate sprinkles at breakfast. The strong emphasis on family meals, coupled with a balanced approach to nutrition, plays a vital role in their well-being. The simple act of sharing breakfast fosters connections and builds self-confidence, contributing to their overall happiness.