Lördagsgodis: Sweden's delicious Saturday tradition that prevents decay - BBC Reel

Summary

Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux, an author and lecturer on Swedish culture, discusses the Swedish tradition of eating sweets once a week, typically on Saturdays. Originating post-WWII, this practice was influenced by an experiment linking sugar intake to poor dental health. Swedes embraced this advice, integrating it into their welfare state's societal progress. The tradition not only helped manage children's sugar intake but also became a family event, fostering a better understanding of dental care. Despite modern diversification, this tradition remains deeply rooted in Swedish culture, contributing to improved dental health and a structured approach to sugar consumption.

Takeaways

• 🍭 The tradition of eating sweets once a week in Sweden started after the Second World War.
• 🧪 An experiment involving mental health patients provided early scientific evidence linking sugar intake to poor dental health.
• 🦠 Eating candy all at once creates a less favorable environment for cavity bacteria compared to constant sugar consumption throughout the week.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The practice became popular during the building of the welfare state, reflecting high trust in public authorities and a societal push for health.
• 👶 Parents use this tradition as a tool to manage their children's sugar intake and provide structure in their lives.
• 🏠 The tradition is deeply rooted in Swedish culture, with many families continuing the practice across generations.
• 🛍️ Children get to choose where to buy candy and what to get, making the selection process part of the fun.
• 🦷 The tradition is believed to have improved dental health in Sweden, along with increased brushing and better overall food choices.
• 👶 Dental care for children in Sweden is comprehensive, covering up to the age of twenty-three.
• 🌐 Despite a diversifying society and influences from other cultures, the tradition of Saturday candy eating is expected to continue in Sweden.

Q & A

What is the traditional practice discussed in the script?

The traditional practice discussed is eating sweets once a week, particularly on Saturdays, which is a common custom in Sweden.

How did the tradition of eating sweets once a week originate?

The tradition started after the Second World War as an experiment involving mental health patients to study the effects of sugar on dental health.

What was the scientific finding from the experiment mentioned in the script?

The experiment found a link between sugar intake and poor dental health, suggesting that eating candy all week long creates an environment for cavity bacteria to grow.

Why is it recommended to eat sweets only once a week according to the script?

It is recommended to eat sweets only once a week to limit the constant growth of cavity bacteria and to provide a structured approach to sugar intake.

How did the welfare state and societal progress influence this tradition?

The tradition was embraced during a time when the welfare state was being built and societal trust in public authorities was high, which contributed to the acceptance of the advice to limit sugar intake.

What role does this tradition play in managing children's sugar intake?

This tradition serves as a tool for managing children's sugar intake by establishing a structured approach where children know they can only ask for candy on Saturdays.

How does the tradition impact dental health in Sweden according to the script?

The tradition has likely improved dental health in Sweden by encouraging less frequent sugar intake and promoting better dental hygiene practices such as brushing teeth more regularly.

What is the dental care policy for children in Sweden as mentioned in the script?

Dental care in Sweden is provided up to the age of twenty-three, ensuring that cavity problems are addressed promptly if they occur.

Are there any changes in the tradition due to modern lifestyles?

While the tradition remains strong, there is a trend of people eating more sweets midweek and drinking during the week, which deviates from the traditional approach.

What is the speaker's prediction for the future of this tradition?

The speaker believes that the tradition will continue for some time due to its deep roots in Swedish culture and its effectiveness in managing sugar intake and dental health.

How does the tradition affect the experience of choosing and planning for candy consumption?

The tradition makes the experience of choosing and planning what candy to get more enjoyable and eventful for children, as it becomes a special occasion.

Outlines

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🍭 Swedish Candy Tradition

Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux, an author and lecturer on Swedish culture, discusses the Swedish tradition of eating sweets once a week, a practice deeply rooted in the country's culture. The tradition began post-Second World War when an experiment on mental health patients revealed a link between sugar intake and poor dental health. Swedes adopted the advice to consume candy in one sitting to manage dental health, brushing teeth afterward. This approach was convenient for parents to limit children's sugar intake and provided a societal structure during the welfare state's development. The tradition continues, with children choosing their candy on Saturdays, contributing to improved dental health and a controlled sugar intake. Despite modern diversification, this tradition remains significant in Swedish society.

Keywords

💡tradition

A tradition refers to a custom or belief that is passed down within a group or society with historical continuity. In the context of the video, tradition is central to the practice of eating sweets once a week in Sweden, which is deeply rooted in the culture and continues across generations. The script mentions that 'It's been such a great tradition for us' and 'Everybody does it here in Sweden,' highlighting how this tradition is a collective experience that contributes to a sense of national identity and shared heritage.

💡candy

Candy generally refers to a confectionery made with sugar or other sweeteners. The script specifically discusses Swedish candy, which is known for being small and a part of the weekly tradition. The tradition of eating candy is tied to the idea of managing sugar intake in a controlled manner, as indicated by the phrase 'It's very typically Swedish' and the discussion on how Swedes consume candy once a week.

💡Second World War

The Second World War, also known as WWII, was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The video script mentions that the tradition of weekly candy consumption started right after this war, suggesting a historical context that may have influenced societal behaviors and habits post-war. The experiment mentioned, which studied the effects of sugar on dental health, is positioned as a post-war development.

💡dental health

Dental health pertains to the condition of one's teeth and gums and the absence of oral diseases. The script connects the tradition of eating sweets once a week to dental health by discussing an experiment that provided scientific evidence of a link between sugar intake and poor dental health. The advice to eat candy all at one occasion to manage cavity bacteria growth is directly related to maintaining better dental health.

💡welfare state

A welfare state is a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. The script implies that the tradition of eating candy once a week coincided with the building of the welfare state in Sweden, suggesting a societal shift towards trust in public authorities and a focus on collective well-being, which may have influenced the adoption of health-related advice.

💡sugar intake

Sugar intake refers to the consumption of sugar by an individual. The video discusses the importance of managing sugar intake, particularly in relation to dental health. The practice of limiting candy consumption to one day a week is presented as a strategy to control sugar intake, as exemplified by the statement 'if you eat candy all week long...then you create an environment for the cavity bacterias to constantly grow.'

💡cavity bacteria

Cavity bacteria are types of bacteria that contribute to the formation of tooth decay or cavities. The script explains that by eating candy only once a week and then brushing teeth, one can limit the growth of cavity bacteria, which would otherwise thrive in an environment of constant sugar consumption.

💡parents

Parents are caregivers who have a child or children and are responsible for their upbringing. In the video, parents are discussed as key figures in maintaining the tradition of weekly candy consumption, using it as a tool to manage their children's sugar intake and provide structure. The script mentions that 'it's a very convenient way for parents to sort of limit their children's sugar intake'.

💡Saturday

Saturday is the day of the week on which the Swedish candy tradition is practiced, as indicated by the script. It has become a specific day for indulging in sweets, creating an event out of the consumption of candy. The script describes how children get to choose the store and take their time selecting what they want, making Saturday a special day associated with the joy of planning and choosing candy.

💡dental care

Dental care encompasses the practices and services aimed at maintaining good oral hygiene and health. The script mentions that dental care in Sweden is comprehensive, extending up to the age of twenty-three for children, which implies a strong emphasis on preventative measures and quick intervention for dental issues, contributing to the tradition's continuation.

💡diversity

Diversity refers to the range of differences in a group or organization, including but not limited to, differences in race, age, ethnicity, and lifestyle. The script acknowledges that while the tradition of eating candy on Saturdays is strong, there is an increasing diversity in Swedish society, with people being inspired by different lifestyles and eating sweets more frequently throughout the week. This suggests a potential shift in traditional practices.

Highlights

The tradition of eating sweets once a week in Sweden is deeply rooted and has been followed since childhood.

The tradition is widespread in Sweden, with everyone participating.

Sweden is known for its small candies, which are typically Swedish.

Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux, an author and lecturer on Swedish culture, explains the tradition.

The practice of weekly sweets consumption began after World War II.

An experiment on mental health patients led to the first scientific evidence linking sugar intake to poor dental health.

Eating candy all at once creates a better environment for dental health than constant consumption.

The tradition aligns with the building of the welfare state and high trust in public authorities in Sweden.

The tradition provides a structured way for parents to limit their children's sugar intake.

Swedish children are not allowed to ask for candy during the week, making Saturdays a special event.

The fun of the tradition includes the planning and choosing of candies.

Candy eating on Saturdays has improved dental health in Sweden.

Swedish dental care for children is extensive, covering up to the age of twenty-three.

Despite modern trends, the tradition of Saturday sweets is expected to continue in Sweden.

The tradition is deeply rooted, with many families passing it down through generations.

The tradition is seen as a tool for managing candy intake and creating a structured approach to sugar consumption.

Society is becoming more diverse, with some Swedes adopting new lifestyles and eating sweets midweek.

Transcripts

I have always done it since I was a child.

It's been such a great tradition for us so it's so easy to follow it

once they got old enough to pick their own.

Everybody does it here in Sweden, so we do it too, but I don't know why.

But I know that Sweden is quite famous for our small candy, so

it's very typically Swedish.

I'm Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux,

and I am an author and a lecturer on Swedish culture.

The tradition to eat sweets once a week started right

after the Second World War and there was an experiment,

it's not a very sort of ethically correct experiment,

according to today's standards,

but they gave sweets to mental health patients,

and by doing that they could

study the effects of sugar on dental health and they could actually,

for the first time, have any sort of scientific evidence

that there was a link between sugar intake and poor dental health.

If you eat candy all week long and constantly,

then you create an environment for the cavity bacterias to constantly grow,

so it's better to eat just at one occasion,

and you can eat as much as you want and then brush your teeth.

I think a lot of Swedes followed the advice at that time,

and I think this got to do with the fact that at that moment,

the welfare state was being built up, there was a lot of progress in society

and the general trust in public authorities was very high.

And I think it's also a very convenient way

for parents to sort of limit their children's sugar intake

and find a structure in life.

And this is something I think parents worldwide struggle with.

Mostly it's a tool

for managing candy, that there's no asking about candy

during the week and if they do it's not Saturday

so it's really a good way to control the sugar, in a way.

But then it's an event. They get to choose where we go,

which store do we go and then they take their time.

It feels like a big part of the fun is to choose and to plan what am I gonna get.

You could say that this candy eating on Saturdays

has improved dental health in Sweden quite a lot,

but also that we are brushing our teeth more than we used to.

And we are also eating better food in general.

And dental care in Sweden, for children, it goes up

to the age of twenty three, so you can say

that cavity problems are looked after quite rapidly if they occur.

There are figures saying that people are eating more and more sweets midweek,

and they're also drinking in the middle of the week,

which is not necessarily the traditional way of doing things here,

but I think society is becoming more and more diverse

and we're getting inspired by lifestyles everywhere.

But for the majority.

I think this is a tradition that will stick around for quite a while.

We've been doing it for a long time, when I was a kid in the 80s,

then we did it me and my sister and all my friends did it,

and my friends that have got kids,

they still do it with their children so it's pretty deeply rooted in our candy mind,

so it will probably continue for a while I think.