What do people eat in Ukraine?

With the advent of globalization the eating habits of different nations are gradually becoming more and more similar. If you go to any supermarket you will find a large range of processed foods identical or similar to those you would find in any other country. Many people eat lots of sweets and/or fast food. Obesity rates are quite high and rising, especially among youth.

The average Ukrainian's diet consists of relatively inexpensive and bland staple foods, traditional Ukrainian dishes, fast/junk food, and a few personal idiosyncracies. Low-budget staple foods include: bread, oatmeal, rice, buckwheat, porridge, noodles, sunflower oil, vegetables in season, sausages, eggs, sauces, etc. We'll get to traditional dishes later.

Ukrainian fast food

American-style fast food — burgers, fried chicken, fries, soft drinks, shakes, etc. — has become quite popular. There are both American brands (McDonald's and the like) and local knock-offs. There are also local varieties of fast food: inexpensive baked or fried pastries or pies, shaurma (lavash with vegetables, sauce and meat broiled on a vertical spit), etc. Many people like to nibble sunflower seeds or eat watermelon and other fruit in season as a kind of "fast food" (you can't exactly call watermelon "fast," though...).

Ukrainian restaurants

Ukrainian-style cafeterias have become very popular in the past 10 years (e.g. Puzata Khata, Zdorovenki Buly, Drova and others). Here you take a tray and ask for servings of food that includes salads, soups, garnishes (side dishes), meat, vegetables, bread, and a variety of desserts. Prices are very reasonable and the food is generally quite good. Middle and high-end Ukrainian restaurants are also available, though higher-end restaurants tend more to offer international cuisine (sushi, Italian, mixed European, etc.).

Drinks

Drinking plain water has become more common in the past decade but used to be rare. Ukrainians drink a lot of tea and, increasingly, coffee. Sweetened drinks such as lemonade (inexpensive) and juice drinks are popular, while kvass has become less popular than in Soviet times. Beer and wine consumption has gone up since the fall of the USSR, while harder drinks like vodka and cognac are a bit less popular (sorry, I don't have statistics). People still drink "Sovetskoe shampanskoe" champagne during holidays.

Fad diets

Vegetarianism is somewhat popular in large cities, and veganism is gaining popularity as well. Raw food diets have been around for decades but have relatively few adherents. Abstinence from alcohol is surprisingly common given common stereotypes about Ukrainians' affinity for vodka. Low-carb diets are just beginning to make ground.

Ukrainian sweets

Ukrainian chocolate (Roshen and Korona brands and others) is excellent and is exported to many countries in the region. Various creamy layered cakes such as "Napoleon" and "Kievskiy Tort" are popular and often consumed with champagne (a terrible combination, in my opinion!). Many different kinds of wrapped candies are available, as well as a wide range of inexpensive cookies. Ice cream is not as popular as in the U.S. and is mostly eaten as a dessert when eating out (or at McDonald's) and not so much in the home.

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