I remember in the 1970s hearing that there were big problems with heart disease in Finland because people were taking in too much fat. The growing season for vegetables there is very short and there are a limited number of fruits other than berries that grow there. Some people were consuming massive amounts of dairy products (full fat).
The Finnish government had a big drive to get people to change their diets and eat far more fruit and vegetables. That programme seems to have also been driven through schools and company canteens. When travelling around Europe you usually can buy a side salad or salad as a main course. However you normally need to pay extra for the side salad. In most Finnish canteens I have visited they are designed so that you hit the salad bar first and stock up on your raw veg (and dressing) before hitting the hot food. Everybody seems to eat their daily salad! The same is true of many ordinary restaurants too.
We refused to let our children eat at the school canteen when we heard that typical meals were a "triple starch" main course of pizza, chips and baked beans; with sticky bun as "dessert". Our office has a simple sandwich bar - and no real canteen - and it is a while since I have been to a company canteen in the UK; however I did not think they were too healthy.
When I had my canteen lunch in Tampere, Finland earlier this week I was reminded of my one and only business trip to India back in 2002. Our office in Bangalore had a rooftop canteen which was a pleasant place to go.
...and friendly service!
Just goes to show that even institutionalised food can be interesting and healthy whether in Finland or India.
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