Eating Swedish meatballs? Don’t forget lingonberries — a new superfood that could prevent weight gain

Swedish food
Swedish lingonberries are eaten on blood pudding

Everyone knows Swedish meatballs are a hardy meal that will keep you energized in all seasons. But today, a lot of people are talking about that little red condiment that’s jammed between the meat and the potatoes — Swedish lingoberries.

Scientists at Lund University in Sweden have discovered that Swedish lingonberries can almost completely prevent the weight gain caused by a high fat diet. If you don’t know, lingonberries are like a more bitter version of cranberries — generally eaten with meatballs and other meaty Swedish food.

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5 reminders that I live in Sweden

Swedish fish
Smoked Swedish fish

1. Today I was reminded I live in Sweden because we had lunch, and my son said, “Yay, mackerel!”

2. Jimmie Ã…kesson, the leader of the anti-immigrant, right wing party, is off from politics right now because he is on paternity leave.

3. I had a two-week vacation over Christmas and New Year’s, and I have another week of vacation at the end of January. We’re going skiing.

4. My 6-month-old son is outside sleeping in his baby carriage. It’s just below freezing out there.

5. A few days ago while my in-laws were visiting they had to interrupt the visit to watch the TV — a cross-country skiing competition was on.

Join the contest! This Swedish candy could be yours

Swedish candy, Swedish food
Now, this is Swedish candy

Do you want to eat some real Swedish candy?

I’m not talking about some lame version of Swedish fish you get in your hometown.

I’m talking about the real stuff, the good stuff. I’m talking about salty and sour licorice, the cars, the bars. I’m talking about the creamy chocolate and the fishermen’s pipes. What? Yeah, you heard me right — pipes. Curious?

If you are, then get ready — because I am officially launching From Sweden’s first official contest — the Real Swedish Candy Contest.

It’s really simple.

All you have to do is tell me why you are interested in Sweden.

The person who has the best — the most entertaining, the funniest, or craziest, or most interesting story — will in no time at all be chomping down on some real Swedish candy.

Just write in the comment field below or post a video on YouTube and attach the link. Or, if you know how, send a sound file.

The lucky winner will not only get real candy, from Sweden, made by Swedes. But you’ll also get a chance to tell your story.

So, why not take a few minutes now to share with us why you love Sweden, or why you hate Sweden, or why there’s just something about Sweden that has got you all pumped up?

Do you have Swedish ancestry? Maybe you read the “Millennium Trilogy” and got hooked? Are you dating a Swede or do you want to come here to study or work?

Tell us your story.

The Real Swedish Candy Contest runs until the end of April. (I, and I alone, will pick the winner.) And I personally will send the lucky winner a package of Swedish candy.

P.S. If you don’t like this offer, then you can continue to eat the old, boring “Swedish” fish sold at your local supermarket.

P.P.S. If you want to learn more about the crazy world of Swedish candy, check out this introduction to Swedish candy at the Lost in Stockholm blog.