I lived in Spain – one big supermarket difference made me healthier than in the UK

Living abroad in Spain for a year had many perks – better weather, cheaper dining and a slower way of life. But one major difference in their supermarkets forced me to eat healthier throughout the year.

Spanish food can be notoriously oily, with tapas staples like patatas bravas and croquetas fried in oil to create a crispy exterior. But, as their supermarkets lacked one thing, I found my eating habits improved significantly during my time there. Unlike UK supermarkets, in Spain, frozen products are difficult to find.

While living in the UK, my meal habits were nothing short of terrible.

I would almost always eat on the go, constantly deciding I was too busy for something civilised like a sit-down-meal. Even when I finally did stop to eat, the meal would almost certainly be a high street supermarket ready meal, quickly shoved in the microwave before I left the house.

Then I moved to Spain. I arrived, searching for the quick meals to stock my freezer up with, only to find they didn’t quite exist here. Spain’s closest options to a quick meal in my local Mercadona, the popular Spanish supermarket brand, were their fresh bakery section and maybe, if I looked hard enough, the odd freezer pizza.

Now, I was forced to make the time to cook, using the variety of fresh meats and vegetables Spanish supermarkets had to offer.

In 2025, the UK was the leading contributor to Europe’s frozen ready meals market size, accounting for 19.5% of the continent’s market share, according to Market Data Forecast.

By contrast, although Spain is gradually seeing “an emerging market for frozen ready meals” now, the country has traditionally held preference for fresh produce.

But after having no choice but to change my ways, I began to cook fresh meals like burgers with spinach and chickpea patties, mixed vegetable pasta and chicken avocado rice bowls.

Gradually, over the year, along with other healthy habits like working out more and spending more time outdoors, I noticed positive changes. I was snacking less between meals, feeling fulfilled by the healthy meals I had throughout the day and noticed my periods regulating for the first time in my life.

After being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), now named polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), I was told a better diet would lead to improvements and my new Spanish diet seemed to help that come true.

Recent analysis predicts Spain’s 2027 frozen food market will see exponential growth. But with their lack of frozen food changing me for the better, I would encourage those who can to avoid the frozen food aisle anyway.