Yet Serbs are generally fit, healthy and not fat. No obesity problems.

And Serbians even eat Hamburgers, although with a lot less ‘bad stuff’ inside!

Serbians are mostly healthy as a result of the homecooked dishes they eat. With no additives and not from the supermarket. Although, this is changing.

Generally Serbians who live in Serbia do not have obesity problems despite the fact they eat large portions of meat. Serbians who live in America or Australia eat processed foods more, however.

Serbians eat as much food, or more than Americans, yet are not obese!

The secret:

Healthy and unprocessed food! No vegetable or added oils, no excess high fructose corn syrup. They use butter and olive oil, not margarine. They use less processed ingredients, and more natural ingredients.

Serbs eat planty of fresh dairy products based on raw or less processed milk and made by farmers using traditional, not machine, methods.

Like much of Eastern Europe, Serbia has not destroyed it’s food with lot’s of additives and processing.

Background to Serb Food

Serb food is similar to many slavic foods. And Czech, Polish and German. Serbian food was influenced by the Turkish and Austro-Hungarian empire as well.

There is a lot of variety in the Serb diet for both meat lovers and vegetarians.

And you will never be hungry! Unlike manufacture diet foods.

In Serbia any important occasion is accompanied with good roast pork or roast lamb.

Some Serb foods you’ll enjoy:

1. ?evap?i?i are small rolls of mixed minced meat.Locals eat them with plain onions and warm bread.

2. Pljeskavica is another and very popular and tasty dish. Actually it is the hamburger with minced meat sprinkled with spices and grilled like beef steak. But healthy!

3. Cabbage rolls or sarma as serbians call them. One of the most popular dishes in Serbia. It is minced beef and pork with rice wrapped in cabbage or vine leaves.
I have to say, it’s my favourite too.

4. Stuffed peppers (capsicums or bell peppers). These are another healthy food serbians do have and another favourite of mine. Meat, rice, spices, vegetables inside.

5. Roast meat in sauerkraut (podvarak). No explanation needed.

6. Musaka Minced pork or beef mixed with eggs and potatoes and then baked.

7. Ajvar, made from grilled red peppers (capsicums). Serbians eat them with their homemade smoked meat and you can find everywhere.

8. Serbian salad, a mixture of tomato, pepper, cucumber, onion and hot pepper. It is loved by everyone.

9. Bean soup, a mix of dried beans, onions, garlic, tomato paste, carrots cooked in olive oil and hot water.

10. Traditional Sweets such us strudels, pancakes and pastries.

Yes, even pancakes!!!!

11. Turkish-style Coffee is usually served black, or strong espresso.

Serbs are generous with food!

My advice is, if you are invited to a serbian lunch or dinner, do not refuse it!

In Serbia where the food is better, most Serbs eat well, yet are not over-weight.

If you ever go to Serbia you will be amazed at how fit looking the men and women are, yet healthy, not thin or too fat. Well, mostly. If you don’t eat too much cake!

In Serbia, or at Serbian friends, be prepared for lots and excellent food and fun which you will remember for a long time!

EVA SUDAR

Allow me to freshen up, I disappear in toilets for 15 minutes, as I hadn’t been allowed to go into a toilet during Heathrow (fascists!), actually since the Captain turned on seatbelt 3 hrs ago on the Trans-Atlantic flight.

Vow to avoid Dante’s 5th circle, but know I’ll be back. Not inspirational at all, Heathrow drags creativity out of you: K-ompliance!!

Passengers stare at me, as I took 15 minutes. Very judgmental lot.

Lovely fruit and pastry BA breakfast, eschew bad coffee for so-so tea. Staff very helpful.

Get off BA, in Wien. Ah, Vienna airport where no-one bothers you unless you give them a reason, and then they bother!

Efficient service, straight through, luggage comes out (they actually unload priority customers first here…!) Out the gates, 5 security guards, but just watching carefully all of us.

Limo to city, at my world favourite Hotel, the Hotel Bristol.

Inspiration comes again, flowing into veins. I would come to Vienna just to stay here, wunderbar! Have a junior suite on the top floor, I would probably call it the American floor, but they know I like it quiet.

I still like the 4th and 3rd floors best, but in some pretty rooms the walls are very thin so this suits me fine.

No lunch, decide to freshen-up, do the email, and get dinner. I don’t normally work on Sunday, but unfortunately, it is a work Monday in Australia.

Dinner: Cafe Frauenhuber, my favourite cafe in Wien.

Ah, old friend, a delicate fried perch to give me sustenance. And some palatschinken (crepes) with apricots and nutella, and icecream. Crepes are a beautiful artwork, with a glass of Austrian white wine.

Mozart once played here, and it is the oldest in operation, around 200 years. I find it still inspiring, there is something in the air and I like the fact it hasn’t been modernised and antisepticised (like many!)

The waiters in Wien still where dinner suits in cafés, a touch I love. Waiters in Wien make you wait, forcing the mind to slow-down once you adjust!

Christopher