Lazy Sundays are a cherished tradition in our home. Most shops are closed or only open in the late afternoon — if we’re lucky. My partner, Max, is often busy in the kitchen whipping up an extravagant breakfast, while I’m relaxing on the couch, nursing baby Oliver and planning our afternoon adventure in nature. Meanwhile, Leo, our 3-year-old, is off in his room, engrossed in his Duplo creations.
Today, the bright morning sun and the cool autumn breeze have lifted our spirits. Max is preparing wentelteefjes, the Dutch twist on French toast, which he serves with goat cheese, strawberries, mango, and blueberries. I’m searching for local trails where we can spot fly agaric mushrooms, those iconic red ones with white spots that I once thought only existed in fairy tales or video games. To my surprise, they thrive here, known for their toxic and hallucinogenic characteristics. Our goal today is simply to appreciate their beauty from afar.
“Hey love, check this out!” calls Max from the kitchen-dining area.
I glance over to see Leo in his high chair, beaming with joy. He’s taken the initiative to make himself a breakfast treat. In front of him is a slice of bread generously topped with unsalted butter and hagelslag — the beloved Dutch chocolate sprinkles.
“No wonder Dutch kids are the happiest kids in the world,” I muse. “Who wouldn’t feel joyful with chocolate for breakfast?”
I can almost hear the disapproving gasps from the internet’s perfect parents. Chocolate for breakfast? You wouldn’t typically think that a sugar rush would be a good idea to start the day. And yes, he’s made quite the mess — butter smeared on his face, hands, and all over the high chair, with chocolate sprinkles scattered on the floor.
Max and I exchange glances. Should we scold him? Instead, we burst into laughter, chalking it up as another parenting fail. Oblivious, Leo happily devours his hagelslag sandwich, and Max captures the moment with a photo of his delighted face.
So, is there something truly special about starting the day with hagelslag? Could this be the secret to the happiness of Dutch children? A fascinating BuzzFeed video featuring American kids trying traditional breakfasts from around the world showed that this Dutch breakfast certainly won them over. What child wouldn’t be eager to eat breakfast if chocolate was on the menu? However, kids in other cultures also enjoy sugary foods, often in the form of cereals like Coco Pops. I believe the key lies in the fact that Dutch families prioritize breakfast together.
According to a 2013 UNICEF report that highlighted Dutch children as the happiest in the world, around 85% of Dutch kids aged 11, 13, and 15 eat breakfast daily. The custom of gathering around the table as a family for breakfast before school and work is a cornerstone of Dutch family life. In comparison, many American and British families often skip breakfast in the rush to begin their day.
The Dutch seem to grasp the significance of regular meals, particularly the first one after a night’s sleep. Numerous studies reinforce the benefits of a daily breakfast: it can reduce unhealthy snacking, lower obesity rates, and boost a child’s focus at school. The Dutch are champions of breakfast, contributing to their overall happiness and well-being. But, more importantly, they value the experience of starting the day together at the breakfast table, fostering a calming family bond.
I was surprised to discover that chocolate sprinkles are a staple breakfast item in the Netherlands. Don’t the Dutch recognize the importance of a balanced diet low in sugar and fat? It’s true that they’ve developed a reputation, especially among expats, for serving rather bland, heavy meals. The Dutch culinary approach can be summed up as practical: meals should be easy to prepare, affordable, and nutritious. Essentially, a typical Dutch lunch mirrors breakfast, both consisting of open-faced sandwiches. Dinner, the only hot meal, usually features a simple combination of meat, vegetables, and carbohydrates.
However, a recent study by Oxfam in 2014 declared that the Netherlands offers “the best food in the world.” They evaluated four criteria: the availability of food, its affordability, quality, and rates of obesity and diabetes. The UK ranked 10th, while the US fell to 21st due to high obesity and diabetes rates despite decent scores in affordability and quality.
The UNICEF report aligns with Oxfam’s findings. Dutch children exhibit the lowest obesity rates among the 29 industrialized countries surveyed, with only 8.36% of kids aged 11, 13, and 15 classified as obese. Alarmingly, in all but three countries — the Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland — childhood obesity has surpassed 10%. These results indicate that the best place for healthy eating isn’t in France or Japan but right here in the Netherlands. Despite the butter, bread, and hagelslag, the Dutch maintain a healthy, balanced diet that’s accessible to nearly everyone.
As we watch our toddler relish his Dutch breakfast, swaying blissfully and kicking his legs, I finally grasp the essence of hagelslag. Taking a moment to observe Leo, I push aside my neurotic thoughts and realize that, beyond the sweet taste of chocolate, my son feels content and proud of his ability to choose and prepare his own meal. This fosters his self-confidence. It truly is all about the hagelslag.
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Summary:
Dutch children are often cited as the happiest in the world, and a key factor may be the unique breakfast tradition of enjoying hagelslag, or chocolate sprinkles, on bread. Families prioritize shared meals, especially breakfast, which fosters connections and supports healthy eating habits. Studies show that regularly eating breakfast is linked to lower obesity rates and improved focus at school, and the Dutch approach to food emphasizes practicality and nutrition. Ultimately, it is the family bonding experience during breakfast that contributes significantly to the happiness of Dutch children.