News: The daily schedule based on the meals in Spain explained

The current pace of life is also fast in Spain, although some people think it is not, but it is necessary to work, have a social life and take care of children.

All in all, for some hectic days during the week and also often on weekends. In between all the activities you have to eat naturally and then in such a most responsible and healthy way. That this does not always happen is evident from the fact that more and more fast-food restaurants are being added and that supermarkets and / or other stores are increasingly selling ready-made meals.

In Spain people are proud of the healthy Mediterranean Diet with a perfect balance between meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, olive oil and other natural products. Not everyone, however, adheres to this world-famous diet recognized by UNESCO, as a result of which the Spaniards are also starting to get fatter, a problem especially for children who are increasingly overweight.

However, just like in other countries, there are a few moments of the day that one does eat as it should be, such as at breakfast, lunch and dinner with in between time for tapas and the merienda. However, times are different than in other countries where the most noticeable is the warm and rich food between 2 and 3 pm and late dinner between 9 and 10 pm.

Eating in today's Spain

The speed of daily life has changed a lot in Spain, but lunch is still a very important event. Even in the cities with their fast food restaurants, people return home for a good midday meal and at the same time enjoy their siesta after lunch and return to work afterwards.

Breakfast (desayuno)

The day starts with the "desayuno", that is breakfast, and at first glance this does not provide enough energy to survive until lunch. The breakfast consists of "cafe con leche", coffee with a lot of milk and bread, toast or "churros", fried sticks with sugar on it. Although the churros are no longer eaten everywhere for breakfast.

The breakfast for the children also often looks very thin consisting of a hot drink such as chocolate milk or hot milk and cookies that are immersed in it. However, many people skip breakfast and only have breakfast around 10 o'clock later when they are basically already at work, something very common in Spain.

Because the normal breakfast is not enough until lunch, practically everyone takes a second breakfast between 10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m., which for some is therefore a first breakfast. This breakfast is usually a coffee with a sweet sandwich or "pan con tomate" and that is bread with tomato.

There is also the possibility to take a "bocadillo" and that is a sandwich with toppings. In addition, they also eat many sweet sandwiches such as croissants, magdalenas and sandwiches with food, chocolate or cream filling.

Tapas

After all this, if you still get hungry and you have to eat something for the lunch that is taken between 2 and 3 pm, there is still the tapas bar. The tapas are also eaten later in the day during the "merienda", often after work and before one goes home for the next meal, the "cena". Tapas usually drink something like alcohol or beer.

Lunch (Comida)

The "comida" is the midday meal and consists of at least 3 parts, a starter, a main course and a dessert. The starter is usually a soup, an egg dish or a salad. Then comes the main course with fish or meat and with potatoes and then there is another dessert that is often a piece of fruit or a pudding.

Many working Spaniards often eat a "menu del día" in a nearby restaurant. These are often complete multi-course meals with everything including very reduced prices.

Merienda (snack)

In the late afternoon, something from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. there is the "merienda", a light meal or a snack. That is why the tapas bars fill up again until around 8 p.m.

Dinner (cena)

In the big cities the supper or "cena" can only be served at 10 p.m. so something is needed between lunch and supper. Except when eating outside, this time is much lighter than the midday meal. However, people generally eat between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.