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How to eat healthily and sustainably in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Austria, food advertisements featuring pristine Alpine glades, wholesome food and sporty types clad in lycra may be hard to escape.

Published: 15 February 2021 08:30 CET
Updated: 22 March 2021 11:34 CET
How to eat healthily and sustainably in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Photos: Getty Images/HelloFresh
But you don’t have to be an Olympic downhill skier to focus on healthy eating and leaving less of a mark on the environment. The Local, in partnership with HelloFresh, presents a few simple tips to help you eat in a healthy, sustainable manner, with a minimum of fuss. Whether your focus is on cutting calories, carbon emissions or both, read on.
 
Reader offer: save €45 on your first four HelloFresh boxes in Germany (use code HFTLCLDE), or get discounts in Austria (code HFTLCLAT) or Switzerland (code HFTLCLCH)
 
Reasons for reflection
 
You now see recycling stations on almost every street, and we’re often reminded that an increasing amount of our packaging can and should be recycled. We can’t help but be prompted to reflect on how we could be more responsible, as well as healthier citizens. 
 
In terms of sustainability, the German government has already pledged to halve food waste by 2030, while Austria and Switzerland have also put into action plans to tackle the problem over the next decade. 
 
When it comes to healthy eating, one need only look to the bewildering number of ‘Bio’ supermarkets lining the streets of even the most modest town across the German speaking lands. Each of the many chains promises fresh, organic food, sourced ethically, and this ‘Bio boom’ is worth approximately €9 billion each year.
 
Sounds ideal for those of us wanting to make a change, right? For the average German-speaker, sure. However, if you are of an international background, the local ‘Bio’ can be a rather overwhelming experience. 
 
A recipe for confusion?
 
Firstly, consider their often labyrinthine layouts. In their rush to seem ‘folksy’ and not unlike the local farmer’s market, these stores can change how you navigate around them on what seems a monthly basis. Even the most hardened shopper may be left confused. You may almost feel you need to obtain a map of the store in order to be sure of making it out! 
 
It pays to remain calm, however. As much as these ‘Bio’ supermarkets like to shift their wares around, you can rest assured that the staples such as bread, milk, cheese and meat will be placed at the edges of the store, requiring you to work through other aisles to access them. 
 
But then, there’s the truly staggering number of varieties available for many ingredients, mostly trading on their location of origin. If you end up scratching your head as to just how they all differ, you’re not alone.
 
Photo: Getty Images
 
You may, for instance, find a truly impressive variety of flours for baking, with precious little explanation of how each is different. You could always use an app such as Google Translate, with its live photo function, to translate the German text on packaging into English or your preferred language. That’s if you have the time and the patience!
 
Finally, another hurdle to shopping in your local ‘Bio’ can be, well, other customers. Anybody who has spent much time in the German-speaking world will understand how judging others could be considered a national pastime. A withering glance at your trolley can sometimes turn a quick grocery run into a gruelling experience. 
 
Save on your first four HelloFresh boxes in Germany (use code HFTLCLDE), or get discounts in Austria (code HFTLCLAT) or Switzerland (code HFTLCLCH)
 
Exploring your options
 
When food shopping becomes a chore, there are other options to help international residents in Germany, Switzerland and Austria eat well without wasting time, money or food.
 
Germany is the home of the meal kit – the market leader being HelloFresh. Founded in Berlin in 2011, HelloFresh meal kits have spread to 14 countries around the world, offering a variety of plans. Each week, customers receive a certain amount of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, along with recipes for turning them into meals. Looking to lose weight in the New Year? You can also get low carb options and recipes with 20 percent fewer calories.
 
Photo: HelloFresh
 
Most large German cities also have both food-sharing websites and anti-food waste apps that allow those who are willing to be flexible to pick up either raw ingredients or pre-cooked food. If you live outside the major cities, look for the ‘honesty stands’ outside homes and by the side of the road in many rural areas of Germany. These offer cheap, fresh produce while supporting those around you. 
 
As the world weathers the coronavirus pandemic, however, you may want food delivered to your door – such as meal kits that can help you continue to eat well while maintaining social distancing. Over the last few years, HelloFresh has made a commitment to not only source local ingredients from small producers, but also to reduce the amount of waste produced in distribution.
 
Indeed, compared to 12 leading global food retailers, the company now produces 66 percent less food waste per euro of revenue. In terms of emissions from electricity and gas, HelloFresh uses 71 percent less than the average produced by those retailers.
 
Furthermore, each HelloFresh meal kit is made of a combination of recycled and virgin fibres, and can be easily folded up for recycling collection – a huge bonus in recycling-mad Germany and Austria. The provided paper bags are compostable, and the insulating cardboard and plastic bags are all suitable for recycling.
 
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, there are many ways to eat healthily and sustainably. If you’d like a helping hand, why not try HelloFresh? Save €45 on your first four HelloFresh boxes in Germany (use code HFTLCLDE), or get discounts in Austria (code HFTLCLAT) or Switzerland (code HFTLCLCH).
 
 
For members

LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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