Saturday Sweets: A Cherished Swedish Tradition

What is Lördagsgodis?

Lördagsgodis (literally "Saturday candy" in Swedish) is a beloved Swedish tradition where children and adults alike are only allowed to eat sweets on Saturdays. It's a cultural practice that's been around in Scandinavia for decades, and it's also deeply ingrained in a typical Swedish lifestyle. The idea behind lördagsgodis is to give yourself (or your child) a special treat at the end of the week, while promoting healthier habits during the rest of the week.

History of Lördagsgodis

The tradition of lördagsgodis dates back to the 1950s in Sweden. After the Second World War, sugar was in limited supply due to rationing in many parts of the world, including Sweden. When sugar became more available, it was initially a rare and precious commodity, so its use was limited. In addition, in the early 1950s, Swedish health experts and doctors began to promote the idea that sweets or candy should be limited to certain occasions to prevent excessive sugar consumption and to maintain good dental health. The concept of lördagsgodis was born out of this idea of moderation (in Swedish you say "lagom," a word that doesn't have a direct translation in English, but broadly means "just the right amount," "moderate," or "balanced").

Instead of having children eat sweets every day, the idea was to create a special weekly event where children could indulge in sweets. This helped reduce the frequency of sugar consumption during the rest of the week.

By the 1960s, lördagsgodis had become an established part of Swedish culture. Candy shops began to offer bulk candy, where parents could let their children pick out a certain amount of candy to enjoy on Saturday evening. It became a cherished weekly event: children looked forward to the candy run with their parents, and it became associated with the social and family life of the weekend.

The Rise of the “Godisbutik” (Candy Store) in Sweden

In the 1960s and 1970s, candy stores or "godisbutiker" began to flourish in Sweden. These stores carried a variety of loose pick and mix candies, often displayed in large glass jars. Children could choose their candy, and it became a Saturday ritual for many families to go to the store and choose their treats for the weekend. This development coincided with the growing popularity of bulk candy ("lösviktsgodis" - which in Swedish means loose candy sold by weight), which became a hallmark of Swedish sweet shops. It allowed for a wide variety of sweets, giving children more choice and adding to the excitement of the tradition.

Health and Lifestyle

The Swedish Dental Health Association has long supported the idea of lördagsgodis as a way to limit sugar intake to one day a week and promote healthier habits. Today, Saturday sweets are still a popular part of the Swedish lifestyle, even though the consumption of sweets and sugar has increased and diversified. While more children may indulge in sweets on other occasions, Saturday Candy remains a tradition that has been passed down through generations. The tradition is less strict than it once was, and many families today may have a more flexible approach to candy consumption. However, the concept of lördagsgodis remains a part of Swedish culture and heritage, and candy stores continue to thrive, especially in towns and neighborhoods where families gather to pick out their favorite treats for the weekend.

The Importance of Lördagsgodis in Swedish Culture

Lördagsgodis is often seen as a moment to spend time together as a family. Families often share the experience, with parents and children going to the candy store together to pick out treats for a movie or a game to play at home. It has become an opportunity for quality time, especially for children. The practice is so ingrained in Swedish culture that even though candy consumption has evolved and many people indulge in sweets more frequently, lördagsgodis remains a special and nostalgic part of Swedish weekends.

Popular Types of Lördagsgodis (Saturday Candy)

Swedes love a wide variety of candies, and lördagsgodis often includes an mix of the following:

• Swedish Licorice: Including both sweet and salty varieties, this is perhaps the most iconic Swedish and Scandinavian candy. Some candies are flavored with salty licorice (salmiak), which has a very distinct taste.

• Chocolate Bars: Swedish chocolate is a key part of lördagsgodis, and many brands are enjoyed on Saturdays, such as Marabou chocolate and Daim chocolate.

• Gummy Candies: Swedish gummy candies are very popular, with brands like Ahlgrens bilar (a car-shaped gummy candies in various colors) and Djungelvrål (a sweet, sour, and salty gummy candy) being among favorites.

• Swedish Jelly Beans: Often in assorted flavors, Swedish jelly beans are popular among candy lovers.

• Hard Candies and Toffees: Swedish hard candies and toffees, often in flavors like cola, fruit, or mint, are also commonly included in lördagsgodis.

In Summary

Lördagsgodis or Saturday Candy is a popular Swedish tradition where children or adults are only allowed to enjoy sweets on Saturdays. As a tradition that started to promote healthier eating habits, it still allows children to enjoy sweets in moderation. It became a national phenomenon in the 1960s and remains an integral part of Swedish family culture today. The excitement of picking out sweets for Saturday night has remained a cherished weekly ritual for generations, and hopefully for generations to come.

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